existing custom icons on folder alias have disappeared

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Level 1

14 points

existing custom icons on folder alias have disappeared

I help a brain damaged mac user who creates custom icons for his folders, which, unfortunately he places on his desktop, as aliases. Since upgrading to Big Sur, all of the custom icons on his aliases have become generic folders (no custom icons). There are hundreds of now generic folders on his desktop where the custom aliases once were. All of the original folders have retained their custom icons, only the aliases have reverted to generic blue folders. If I create a new alias from an original folder with a custom icon, the new alias is generic. Has anyone experienced this? Can anyone help me to get them back? He is using a 3 year old 27" iMac running os 11.0.1

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Dec 10, 2020 2:03 PM

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Answer 1

bobpm Author

Level 1

14 points

Dec 11, 2020 10:33 AM in response to Old Toad

Again, thanks. Does not correct the issue. I’ve tried booting in safe mode. Also set up a new, test account. If you have any existing folders with custom icons, try to create an alias and you’ll see that it doesn’t work any more. This probably isn’t a big issue for most, but this man needs the visual cues. I could move each original to his desktop but that would take days.

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Answer 2

bobpm Author

Level 1

14 points

Dec 11, 2020 9:37 AM in response to Old Toad

Thank you, but this did not correct the problem.. Tried on my own MBP as well, but the original custom icon displays, the alias is still a generic folder

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Answer 3

Old Toad

Level 10

215,688 points

Dec 10, 2020 2:19 PM in response to bobpm

While at the Desktop go to the View menu and select Show View Options. In the options window make sure this checkbox is checked:

You may have to reboot the iMac to get the icons to show but check first. Also if the custom icons are used elsewhere they same may have to be done in each folder.

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Answer 4

Old Toad

Level 10

215,688 points

Dec 11, 2020 10:24 AM in response to bobpm

Boot into Safe Mode by booting with the Shift key held down and check there to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE: Safe Mode boot can take up to 10 minutes as it's doing the following;

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

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existing custom icons on folder alias have disappeared

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