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See a brown box overlay on Windows desktop shortcuts? Discover the cause and simple methods to remove it fast.

Have you noticed a strange brown-and-white box overlay icon on your desktop shortcuts, like The Sims 4, Norton 360, or other apps? 


You’re not alone. Many Windows users see this extra icon and wonder if it’s a virus or a problem with their PC.

The good news? It’s not harmful. This small overlay icon simply means that the file or app is stored somewhere other than your local hard drive—most commonly in OneDrive, cloud storage, or a protected Windows folder.

In this guide, we’ll explain what the icon means and show you several ways to fix the desktop shortcut icon problem in Windows.

Why Does the Brown Box Icon Appear?
The brown box icon is an overlay symbol added by Windows Explorer. It usually appears when:
  • The shortcut points to a OneDrive or cloud-stored file.
  • The app is installed in a protected system location.
  • Windows Explorer needs to refresh its icon cache.
  • While it doesn’t affect how the app runs, it can make your desktop look messy or confusing.

How to Remove the Overlay Icon on Desktop Shortcuts
Here are some tried-and-tested solutions to get rid of the brown box icon and restore your shortcuts to their normal look.

1. Refresh Your Desktop
Right-click anywhere on your desktop.
Select Refresh.
This quick step often clears the overlay icon immediately.

2. Restart Your PC
Rebooting refreshes Windows Explorer, which can reset your icons back to normal.

3. Delete and Restore the Shortcut
If refreshing doesn’t work, try this:
Right-click the shortcut and select Delete.
Open your Recycle Bin.
Right-click the deleted shortcut and choose Restore.
This forces Windows to rebuild the shortcut icon.

4. Reset File Explorer’s Icon Settings
If the overlay persists, you can manually refresh File Explorer’s settings:

  • Open Control Panel.
  • Go to Appearance and Personalization → File Explorer Options.
  • Click the View tab.
  • Toggle any option (check or uncheck), then click Apply.
  • Go back, reverse the toggle, and click Apply again.
This resets File Explorer’s cache and usually removes the unwanted overlay icon.

Final Thoughts
The brown box overlay icon on Windows desktop shortcuts may look strange, but it’s harmless. It simply shows that your app or file is stored in a special location like OneDrive or a protected folder.

By refreshing your desktop, rebooting your PC, or resetting File Explorer options, you can quickly fix the shortcut icon problem in Windows and get your desktop looking clean again.

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