The issue is easily fixable by either clearing Thumbnails cache or manually resetting the thumbnail back to Windows 10 default for the affected folders. So without wasting time let’s see how to actually Fix Black Squares Behind Folder Icons issue in Windows 10 with the below-listed steps.
Fix Black Squares Behind Folder Icons
Make sure to create a restore point just in case something goes wrong.
Fix Black Squares Behind Folder Icons Method 1: Clear Thumbnails cache Method 2: Manually Set the icons Method 3: Uncheck Read-only Attribute Method 5: Run DISM Tool Method 6: Rebuild Icon Cache
Method 1: Clear Thumbnails cache
Run Disk Cleanup on the disk where the folder with the black square appears. Note: This would reset all your customization on Folder, so if you don’t want that then try this method at last as this will definitely fix the issue. 1.Go to This PC or My PC and right click on the C: drive to select Properties.
3.Now from the Properties window click on Disk Cleanup under capacity.
4.It will take some time in order to calculate how much space Disk Cleanup will be able to free.
5.Wait until Disk Cleanup analyzes the drive and provides you with a list of all the files that can be removed. 6.Check mark Thumbnails from the list and click Clean up system files in the bottom under Description.
7.Wait for Disk Cleanup to complete and see if you are able to Fix Black Squares Behind Folder Icons issue.
Method 2: Manually Set the icons
1.Right-click on the Folder with the issue and select Properties. 2.Switch to Customize tab and click Change under Folder icons.
3.Select any other icon from the list and then click Ok.
4.Click Apply followed by OK. 5.Then again open the Change icon window and click Restore Defaults.
6.Click Apply then click Ok to save changes. 7.Reboot your PC and see if you’re able to Fix Black Squares Behind Folder Icons issue in Windows 10.
Method 3: Uncheck Read-only Attribute
1.Right-click on the folder which has Black Squares behind its icon and select Properties. 2.Uncheck “Read-only (Only applied to files in folder)” under Attributes.
3.Click Apply followed by OK. 4.Reboot your PC to save changes.
Method 5: Run DISM Tool
1.Press Windows Key + X then select Command Prompt (Admin).
2.Try these command sin sequence: Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
3.If the above command doesn’t work then try on the below: Dism /Image:C:\offline /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:c:\test\mount\windows Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:c:\test\mount\windows /LimitAccess Note: Replace the C:\RepairSource\Windows with the location of your repair source (Windows Installation or Recovery Disc). 4.Reboot your PC to save changes and see if you are able to Fix Black Squares Behind Folder Icons issue.
Method 6: Rebuild Icon Cache
Rebuilding Icon Cache can fix the issue the Folder Icons, so read this post here on How to Repair Icon Cache in Windows 10. Recommended for you:
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That’s it you have successfully Fix Black Squares Behind Folder Icons in Windows 10 but if you still have any questions regarding this guide then feel free to ask them in the comment’s section.
