I restarted my PC and half my desktop is gone. I opened file explorer and a bunch of OneDrive folders have a red X on them.

Troubleshooting Lost Desktop Icons and Folder Synchronization Issues after Restart in Windows

Many Windows users have experienced frustration when their desktop icons or folder configurations unexpectedly change after restarting their PC. A common cause of such issues is the synchronization or configuration settings of cloud storage services like OneDrive, which can sometimes interfere unexpectedly with local files and icons.

Understanding the Issue

In some cases, the disruption begins when a user restarts their system and notices that a significant portion of their desktop icons are missing or that specific folders display a red “X” icon. These indicators typically suggest that Windows cannot access certain files or folders locally, possibly because they have been redirected to the cloud by a service such as OneDrive.

What Might Be Causing the Problem

• OneDrive Folder Redirection: OneDrive offers the option to “Free Up Space” by keeping files online-only. When this is enabled, local icons can appear but the files are stored in the cloud, which can lead to icons displaying errors if sync issues occur.
• Default System Setup or Prompts: During initial setup or after system updates, Windows sometimes prompts users with setup wizards. Clicking through these prompts, especially when the system is still initializing, can alter synchronization settings or cause unintended changes.
• System or Cloud Sync Glitches: Temporary bugs in cloud synchronization or system updates can cause folders to appear as broken or disconnected.

How to Revert or Fix the Issue

If you find yourself in this situation—lost desktop icons, red X markers, or folder misconfigurations—consider the following steps to restore normalcy:

1. Check OneDrive Settings
2. Right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray.
3. Select “Settings” and navigate to the “Account” tab.
4. Verify which folders are synced and whether any changes have been made to the sync configuration.

5. If certain folders are set to “online-only,” consider choosing “Always keep on this device” to restore local availability.

6. Restore Missing Desktop Icons

7. Right-click on the desktop, select “View,” then ensure “Show Desktop icons” is checked.

8. To recover specific icons, right-click the desktop, go to “Personalize,” then “Themes,” and select “Desktop icon settings.” Here, you can toggle the icons you want to appear on the desktop.

9. Check Folder Sync Status

10. Open File Explorer and explore the affected folders.
11. Look for