BLinked desktop icons can become very annoying for users over time. This problem primarily occurs when the user's desktop has been redirected to a network share. In a Remote Desktop session or ICA desktop, this is done quite often to keep the profile size small. Here's how to stop the blinking!
Users often have many shortcuts on their desktop, and if these have been moved via folder redirection, the icons may start to flash. Theoretically, this could be due to a poorly configured or underpowered file server. But it could also be due to something very simple, like thumbnails! Under certain conditions, a hidden thumbs.db A file has been created in the folder that contains previews of all the icons. Constantly accessing the file can cause the icons to start flashing.
The solution is simple and involves two steps:
First, set the Microsoft policy so that no thumbnail files are created (if necessary, set this via the registry!)
Administrative Templates | Windows Components | File Explorer | Disable caching of thumbnails in hidden „thumbs.db“ files or HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer DisableThumbsDBOnNetworkFolders REG_DWORD = 0x00000001
Second, we must existing thumbs.db files be deleted from the Redirected Desktop folder. This deletion can also be configured via a Group Policy.
After that, the nightmare should be over!!
