Windows updated (by itself)

[BandsawBox]

Turned my PC on this morning and windows finished an update (that I did not start) and now my steam game icons are blank and I get the "how do you want to open this file" window when I try to start them. Has windows killed all steam games now and not just ubisoft?

Edit to say Windows 10.

[Haruspex]

Can you launch the games within Steam itself still, not using the desktop shortcuts?

[BandsawBox]

Yes, I was just coming in to say that I can launch from inside steam.

Removed the blank icons and used the "add shortcut to desktop" command in the manage game link. Still shows blank and does not start game.

For now I can, at least, still play the games so I will hope this straightens itself out.

[Supafly]

If you have Windows set to make restore points you could use one created before the update. If that works try updating again. Sometimes an update can be buggy once but works fine when done a second time.

On phone but if I remember right
Windows key + S
Search for Restore point and if you ha e any select the one before the update

[BandsawBox]

No restore point, it just looks like the shortcuts from desktop get corrupted/lost. Files verified, no change. new game install, no change.
Games do launch from steam. just the shortcuts are broken.

[BandsawBox]

I have functional icons again but only because I went to each game and created shortcuts to their app manually and pasted them to the desktop. Awkward but working.

[Blaagh]

the desktop icons use url protocol to launch the game in steam.. so no, it will not sort itself.
might be necessary to reinstall steam (copy games before you do that or they will get deleted)
of try any of the 100 results on the web to fix it

[BandsawBox]

Google result changed nothing I don't seem to have some of the tabs under properties the videos show. but I can find the icon so they are not blank. a reinstall of steam and 1 game to test. No change. the Icon is blank but I can get the image from the game file but that's as close as it comes game will not launch. Not sure at this point why or what has happened. Game does launch from inside steam. Starting to not care... leaning towards a full system wipe for ♥♥♥♥♥ and giggles...

[miamew3]

Maybe this will help:
https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/4337599680238754517/

[BandsawBox]

Thank you! The url part of your link solved it. Youtube videos were all "verify integrity" and tabs the my win 10 does not have. Not sure what, why or how it got buggered but that solved my problem.

[miamew3]

Good to hear!