Forum Discussion
ghost/blank taskbar icons keep returning
Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 build 26200.7171 — ghost/blank taskbar icons keep returning
Summary
Experiencing “ghost”/blank taskbar icons (slots clickable, no icon).
only certain apps. Teams, MS Store, ChatGPT but not Word, Outlook, OneNote, Excel and many 3rd party apps
Edition: Windows 11 Enterprise | Version: 25H2 | OS build: 26200.7171
Installed on: 11/23/2025 | Experience Pack: 1000.26100.265.0
Device/GPU driver: (add details)
Third‑party shell/taskbar tools: (add details or “none”)
What’s already tried
Clean reinstall +
Icon cache rebuild + Explorer restarts
Re‑register Shell Experience Host — no change.
New profile
Corner overflow/visibility checks — normal.
App Installer/Store repairs
repair install (in‑place upgrade)
1 Reply
You're experiencing persistent "ghost" or blank icons on the taskbar for some specific apps like Teams, MS Store, and ChatGPT, while others like Word and Outlook are unaffected. Given your troubleshooting steps—clean reinstall, icon cache rebuild, explorer restarts, shell re-registration, new profile, and repair install—this appears to be a more intricate issue, possibly related to system bugs, app-specific problems, or corrupt app data.
