Forum Discussion
Title: Taskbar Settings Icon Alternates Between a Cog and Keyboard Symbol
Lately, the typical Settings icon on my taskbar seems to be alternating with a keyboard symbol (as shown in the screenshot - 3rd symbol from the left, 4th from the right). Any thoughts on what might be causing this change?
Additionally, I've noticed that the entire desktop occasionally undergoes a transformation from its usual look (as seen in the second screenshot) to a black screen with oversized icons, resembling Safe Mode. This occurs sporadically, so I can't pinpoint if it happens at specific times of the day since I'm not always using the computer when it occurs.
- Ensure your graphics drivers are up to date. You can do this by going to the Device Manager, expanding "Display adapters," right-clicking your graphics card, and selecting "Update driver."
- If you've recently installed new software or drivers, try rolling back to a previous system restore point to see if the issues resolve. And run an SFC scan again to ensure that no corrupted files are causing issues.
- The behavior you're experiencing with the Settings icon alternating between a cog and a keyboard symbol, as well as the desktop transformations, can be indicative of a few potential issues or settings on your system.
EthanJohnson 1.Restart Windows Explorer
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
Scroll down to find "Windows Explorer."
Right-click on it and select "Restart." This will refresh the Taskbar and may resolve the icon issue.
2. Check for Pending Updates
Go to Settings (you can use the cogwheel icon if it's displaying).
Navigate to Update & Security > Windows Update.
Check for updates and install any that are available, as updates can fix bugs and glitches.
