Windows 11 Miscellaneous icons not disappearing from screen, PLEASE HELP

It sounds like you're experiencing some persistent scroll and move icons on your screen after using their features in Windows 11. While I can't see the exact icons from your description, based on your fresh install on an Alienware M17xR4, this issue can sometimes arise from a few different causes.

Possible Causes and Solutions​

1. Graphic Driver Issues: Since you're using an older NVIDIA GeForce GTX 675M, make sure that your graphic drivers are fully up to date. Visit the NVIDIA website to check for the latest drivers compatible with your GPU and Windows 11.
2. Window Focus: Occasionally, overlapping applications or windows that aren’t properly refreshed might cause icons to linger on the screen. Try minimizing and restoring all open windows to see if this refreshes the display.
3. System Bugs: Since you're on a fresh installation, there might be tweaks or bugs in the current build of Windows 11 causing this. Check for system updates in Settings > Windows Update to ensure you have the latest patches.
4. Restart Windows Explorer:
   • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
   • Scroll down to find Windows Explorer, right-click it, and select Restart. This can help refresh the UI and remove any stuck icons.
5. Check Accessibility Features: If you have features like Sticky Keys enabled, it might cause unusual cursor behaviors. Disable those in Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard.

If these solutions do not work, you may want to check online forums for users with similar setups and issues, or consider contacting Microsoft support for more specialized assistance.
Feel free to share more details or ask further questions if needed!

ChatGPT said:

It sounds like you're experiencing some persistent scroll and move icons on your screen after using their features in Windows 11. While I can't see the exact icons from your description, based on your fresh install on an Alienware M17xR4, this issue can sometimes arise from a few different causes.

Possible Causes and Solutions​

1. Graphic Driver Issues: Since you're using an older NVIDIA GeForce GTX 675M, make sure that your graphic drivers are fully up to date. Visit the NVIDIA website to check for the latest drivers compatible with your GPU and Windows 11.
2. Window Focus: Occasionally, overlapping applications or windows that aren’t properly refreshed might cause icons to linger on the screen. Try minimizing and restoring all open windows to see if this refreshes the display.
3. System Bugs: Since you're on a fresh installation, there might be tweaks or bugs in the current build of Windows 11 causing this. Check for system updates in Settings > Windows Update to ensure you have the latest patches.
4. Restart Windows Explorer:
   • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
   • Scroll down to find Windows Explorer, right-click it, and select Restart. This can help refresh the UI and remove any stuck icons.
5. Check Accessibility Features: If you have features like Sticky Keys enabled, it might cause unusual cursor behaviors. Disable those in Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard.

If these solutions do not work, you may want to check online forums for users with similar setups and issues, or consider contacting Microsoft support for more specialized assistance.
Feel free to share more details or ask further questions if needed!

Click to expand...

Its ALWAYS (at least for me) when I try to overthink and complicate things do I run into problems of which I cannot figure out myself with a little due diligence. Anyways, it was as simple as updating my graphics card driver, reset, and problem solved....so far.

Thank you for your response! I appreciate you quoting my previous message. Let's review the potential solutions step-by-step to see if any adjustments can be made or if there's something more specific you’d like to address.

If you've tried any of these solutions already or if there's a specific area where you're facing difficulty, please let me know! Here's a quick recap of the actionable steps:

1. Update Your графика Drivers: Make sure to check NVIDIA's site for the latest drivers.

2. Minimize and Restore Windows: This helps refresh the screen and might clear those stubborn icons.

3. Check for Windows Updates: Ensure your system is on the latest version.

4. Restart Windows Explorer: This can help eliminate any temporary glitches in the UI.

5. Check Accessibility Features: Make sure any features like Sticky Keys that might interfere with normal icon behavior are turned off.

Feel free to elaborate on what you’ve tried, and I can provide more tailored guidance or troubleshooting support!

Spoke too soon, even after driver update and a restart the icons are appearing again. I'd appreciate and help or insight on this, as it's quite annoying

I understand how frustrating it can be to deal with persistent icons, especially after taking measures like updating drivers and restarting your system. Let's troubleshoot further!

Additional Steps to Try​

1. Run System File Checker (SFC):
   • Open Command Prompt as an administrator by searching for "cmd" in the Start menu, right-clicking it, and selecting Run as Administrator.
   • Type the following command and press Enter:
     
     Code:

      sfc /scannow

   • This will scan and repair any corrupted system files that might be impacting your UI.
2. Check for Graphics Settings:
   • Right-click on your desktop and select NVIDIA Control Panel.
   • Look for settings related to your display and ensure they are optimized for your setup.
   • Sometimes, specific settings or modes can lead to odd icon behavior.
3. Examine Background Applications:
   • Some background applications or overlays might interfere with UI elements. Try disabling any third-party software like screen recording tools or game overlays (e.g., Steam or Discord overlays) to see if the icons disappear.
4. Create a New User Profile:
   • Create a new user account in Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > Add someone else to this PC. This will help determine if the problem is user profile-specific. Log into the new account and see if the issue persists.
5. Check the Registry (Advanced):
   • If you're comfortable with it, you can check the Windows Registry (be careful here!) for any keys related to the taskbar or desktop icons that might be causing issues.
   • Press Win + R, type regedit, and navigate to:
     
     Code:

      HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

   • Look for suspicious entries related to the desktop and icons. As always, back up your registry before making changes!

If these steps do not resolve the issue, consider reaching out to Microsoft Support or checking for any known issues on community forums related to Windows 11 and your specific hardware setup. It's also possible that a bug in Windows 11 could be causing this behavior.
Keep me posted on how things go, and I’m here to help further!

B4ND1T said:

Spoke too soon, even after driver update and a restart the icons are appearing again. I'd appreciate and help or insight on this, as it's quite annoying

Click to expand...

Human here.. maybe the GPU is starting to go and leaving artifacts on the screen.. have you tried HWINFO to see what the GPU temps are and if the fan is operating normally?