Windows 10 offers a customizable Start menu that allows you to pin your favorite apps and programs for quick access. The tiles on the Start menu provide a visual representation of these apps and programs. However, there may be times when the icons on the tiles become outdated or incorrect. In this article, we will guide you on how to refresh the tile icons on your Windows 10 Start menu.
Method 1: Clearing the Icon Cache
One of the common reasons for outdated or incorrect tile icons is a corrupted icon cache. The icon cache is a database that stores the icons used by Windows for various files and programs. Clearing the cache can often resolve issues with incorrect icons on the Start menu.
To clear the icon cache, follow these steps:
- Open File Explorer by clicking on the folder icon in the taskbar or by pressing Windows key + E.
- Navigate to the following directory:
%localappdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer - Locate the file named
iconcache.dband delete it. If you don't see this file, it may be hidden. In that case, make sure to enable hidden files and folders in File Explorer's View tab. - After deleting the icon cache file, restart your computer.
Windows will automatically recreate the icon cache upon restart. Check if the tile icons on your Start menu have been refreshed.
Method 2: Reinstalling the Problematic App
If the incorrect tile icons are specific to a particular app, you can try reinstalling the app to fix the issue. Here's how:
- Right-click on the Start button and select "Apps and Features" from the menu.
- In the Apps & Features settings, scroll down and locate the app with the incorrect tile icon.
- Select the app and click on the "Uninstall" button.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall the app.
- Once the app is uninstalled, open the Microsoft Store.
- Search for the app and click on the "Install" button to reinstall it.
- After the app is reinstalled, check if the tile icon has been refreshed on the Start menu.
Method 3: Resetting the Start Menu
If the above methods don't work, you can try resetting the Start menu. This will restore the Start menu to its default settings, including the tile icons. However, please note that resetting the Start menu will remove any customizations you have made.
To reset the Start menu, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app by pressing Windows key + I.
- Click on "Personalization" and then select "Start" from the left sidebar.
- Scroll down and click on the "Reset" button under the "Reset Start layout" section.
- Confirm the action by clicking on the "Yes" button in the pop-up window.
- Wait for Windows to reset the Start menu. This may take a few moments.
- Once the reset is complete, check if the tile icons have been refreshed.
These methods should help you refresh the tile icons on your Windows 10 Start menu. If you are still experiencing issues, you may need to seek further assistance from Microsoft support or a technical expert.