Windows takes seconds to display the desktop, but minutes to load icons. What's going on?

Why does Windows take seconds to display the desktop but minutes to load icons? This common problem in Windows can be caused by unnecessary startup processes, corrupted icon cache, conflicts with the explorer, etc. Today we will see how to review and optimize the programs that start when your PC boots up and we will give you other Practical ideas to improve your performance and reduce your computer's charging time.

Windows takes seconds to display the desktop but minutes to load icons. What's going on?

If Windows takes seconds to display the desktop but minutes to load icons, there are several things that could be happening. For one thing, Your PC may have problems with the icon cache.Or maybe your PC has too many startup processes running that aren't really necessary, causing the desktop visuals to take longer to appear.

These are them Most common causes when Windows takes seconds to display the desktop but minutes to load icons:

• Too many items on your desktop- Too many shortcuts or files on the desktop can slow down the loading of visual elements.
• Heavy startup processes- Some services or programs may block icons from loading.
• The file explorer has some bug: If this causes the problem, it can be solved by restarting it.
• Outdated drivers- Video drivers should always be updated for faster icon loading. Update them from Device Manager or from your computer manufacturer's website.
• mechanical hard driveIf your PC uses an HDD and not an SSD, that may be the culprit for the slow loading.
• Too many temporary files- If the temporary files folder is very full, this can affect the loading speed of the system in general, including icons.

Recommended solutions when Windows takes seconds to display the desktop but minutes to load icons

So what can you do when Windows takes seconds to display the desktop but minutes to load icons? First, make sure your operating system is up to date. Go to Settings – Windows Update and see if there are any updates available so you can install them as soon as possible.

On the other hand, keep in mind that A mechanical hard drive or HDD is much slower than an SSDThe latter will drastically improve your computer's boot times. However, if your PC is updated and your drive is SSD, here are some other possible solutions to your problem.

Rebuild the icon cache

If your desktop icons take minutes to appear, you need to rule out corrupted icon cacheTo rebuild the icon cache in Windows, you'll need to delete it. Doing so forces the system to rebuild the icon cache, which can resolve several visual issues, such as icons taking a long time to appear on the desktop.

To Rebuild the icon cache in Windows safely, close all File Explorer windows and follow these steps:

1. Click the keys Windows + R.
2. Write % LocalAppData% and press Enter.
3. Locate the file IconCache and delete it.
4. Restart your computer to apply the changes and that's it.

Clean the desktop

Is your desktop cluttered? When we have too many shortcuts, folders, applications, or files on the Windows desktop, the speed at which icons load is affected. The solution? Clean the desktopMove files to other folders and instead of having a large number of shortcuts on your desktop, place them on the taskbar or access them from the Start menu.

Optimize startup if Windows takes seconds to display the desktop but minutes to load icons

When Windows takes seconds to display the desktop but minutes to load icons, it may be because Many programs start automatically when you turn on your PCTo optimize startup programs, follow these steps:

1. Click the keys Win + R.
2. Write msconfig and press Enter. This will open the System Configuration window.
3. Choose Windows Start and press Open Task Manager.
4. Disable applications or programs (such as WhatsApp, Zoom or Spotify) that you don't want to start automatically with Windows. To do this, right-click on them and tap "Disable."

From the System Configuration window You can also disable services you are not using. Press Win + R, type msconfig, and press Enter. Go to Services – Hide Microsoft Services. Uncheck the services you're not using and click OK. Finally, restart your computer to apply the changes.

Restart Windows Explorer

If Windows Explorer is slow or misconfigured, the loading of icons on the desktop will be affected. To restart Explorer, go to Task Manager, search explorer.exe. Right click on it and select Restart. This will fix any issues with Explorer if Windows takes seconds to display the desktop but minutes to load icons.

Delete temporary files

Deleting temporary files is safe and recommended for free up disk space and improve your PC's performanceBefore deleting temporary files, it's a good idea to close all the programs you're using. And when you do, remember to only delete the files inside the folder, not the folder itself. To do this, do the following:

1. Press Win + R.
2. Write % Temp% and press Enter.
3. Select all files (Ctrl + E) and press Delete and that's it.

Enable Fast Startup, yes or no?

When Windows takes seconds to display the desktop but minutes to load icons, another option is to enable Fast Startup. It's true that this feature allows your PC to boot faster. However, keep in mind that enabling it may cause your computer to crash. Windows takes longer to shut down. For that reason, it is more advisable Temporarily disable Fast Startup to force a clean boot. Which will help the icons load faster.