I am using GP user preferences to create shortcuts on my users' desktops. On all my Vista/Win7 machines they are fine and the icons are what I set them to be. on all my Win8 machines the icon is just a blank white square. If I right-click and view the icon, the correct image appears. But when the user is looking at the desktop the image is blank.

I have upgraded a couple machines, scratch built one, and purchased an OEM version on a new laptop. All are the same: blank shortcut icons.

Surely I'm not the only person testing Win8 in a domain environment, right?

• Changed type Juke ChouMicrosoft contingent staff, Moderator Wednesday, December 19, 2012 10:56 AM

Hi,

Thanks for your feedback. I record this.

I have the exact same problem.  However, it is NOT the GPO that is causing the problem.

My findings are that if you select any icon that has a UNC path, it will not work.  The icon that is displayed is a piece of paper with the top right corner turned downed.

Can anybody use an .ico file with a UNC path?

 If you copy the .ico file local the icon will display in a shortcut.

same issue here with workstations on Windows 8. tried changing network permissions on the server, etc, but no matter what permissions are in place no icon on a network path will work, only local icons. please help?

Hi, i have same problem. Anybody solved the problem?

Same problem here. I thought there might be something different with Windows 8 in creating the icon files. Anyone make any progress with this yet?

Just found this:

http://www.networksteve.com/forum/topic.php/Blank_Desktop_Icons_in_Windows_8/?TopicId=36984&Posts=2

If you place the icon on a networked location and then try to change the shortcut you will get the blank white icon. Put the icon file "locally" on the machine you're working on and then change the shortcut to the icon.

Group Policy
WindowsExplorer.admx (windows 8)
Windows Components\File Explorer\Allow the use of remote paths in file shortcut icons  

Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer
EnableShellShortcutIconRemotePath
reg_dword 1

Windows 8 desktop shortcuts have a problem with UNC paths but also the quality of the image can be a problem.