How to Remove Red X on Desktop Icons Windows 10?

If you're looking for an easy way to get rid of the annoying red X's that appear on your desktop icons in Windows 10, then you're in luck. This guide will provide a step-by-step walkthrough of how to quickly and easily remove the red X's from your desktop icons in Windows 10.

After following these simple steps, you will be able to get back to your normal desktop view in no time and without any further issues. So let's get started!

To remove the red X on desktop icons in Windows 10, follow these steps:

Open File Explorer and click on This PC.
Click on Organize and select Folder and search options.
Go to the View tab and select Show hidden files, folders and drives.
Uncheck Hide protected operating system files.
Click OK and close File Explorer.
Right click on the desktop and select Refresh.

What are Red X Icons on Windows 10?

Red X icons on Windows 10 represent broken shortcuts or missing files. It can occur due to a variety of reasons, such as an application not being properly installed, a hardware driver being outdated or corrupted, or a virus or malware attack.

Red X icons can also be caused by missing icons or due to a misconfigured system. Whatever the cause, it is important to remove the Red X icons as soon as possible in order to avoid potential problems.

Red X icons can be a nuisance, as they clutter up the desktop and can cause confusion when trying to identify files. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps that can be taken to remove Red X icons from the desktop.

Check the Shortcuts

The first step to take when trying to remove Red X icons from the Windows 10 desktop is to check the shortcuts. Right-click on the shortcut and select “Properties”. If the shortcut has a valid target, then the issue is likely with the file or folder, not the shortcut. If the target is invalid, then the shortcut is the cause of the Red X icon and must be deleted or modified.

The second step is to check the file or folder. If the file or folder is missing, then it must be located and restored to the original location. If it is present, then the issue may be caused by a misconfiguration or a virus or malware attack.

Restore the File or Folder

If the file or folder is missing, then it must be restored to the original location. The simplest way to do this is to use a system restore point. A system restore point can be created by navigating to the “System Restore” section in the control panel. Once the system restore point is created, the file or folder can be restored to its original location.

If the file or folder is still missing after restoring the system, then it may be necessary to locate and restore the file or folder from an external source. This can be done by searching the web for the missing file or folder. Once the file or folder is located, it can be restored to its original location.

Run a System Scan

If the file or folder is present, then the issue may be caused by a virus or malware attack. In this case, it is important to run a system scan to identify and remove any malicious files. This can be done by using a reputable anti-virus or anti-malware program.

It is also important to update the system drivers to the latest version. This can be done by navigating to the “Device Manager” in the control panel. Once the device drivers are updated, the system should be scanned again.

Disable System Services

Finally, if the issue is caused by a misconfigured system, then it may be necessary to disable certain system services. This can be done by navigating to the “Services” section in the control panel. Once the services have been disabled, the system should be scanned again.

If all else fails, then it may be necessary to reinstall the operating system. This will reset the system to its default settings and should resolve any issues caused by a misconfiguration.