Classic Shell: Forum

Win 10 Mail app shortcut won't display anymore. Normal Win 10 os with CSM 4.3.0

Here's is my problem.
I had the always blue Mail app icon, displayed on right column of Classic 2 skin.
It is set up in Customize tab, linked to a mail shortcut.
All was fine until a couple of days ago. The icon changed to metro accent color icon briefly,
then now displays a white paper icon. The link still works though.
Everywhere else, the icon displays properly, just not on the fake Win 10 look skin, I'm making.

I deleted the icon cache in C:\Users\name\AppData\Local\ClassicShell, exited , restarted CSM. No change.


I tried this as a command, but does not give icon:

explorer.exe shell:AppsFolder\microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps_8wekyb3d8bbwe!microsoft.windowslive.mail




I made a Mail shortcut from this hidden folder, still won't show icon:

RUN %windir%\explorer.exe shell:::{4234d49b-0245-4df3-b780-3893943456e1}

What is the correct way to set up an app icon(with changing icon color) to show up on right menu column?

Did you try shutting down the start menu before deleting the icon cache? If the menu is still running, it will keep all the icons in memory and write them to the cache file soon after.

You can also try creating a shortcut to the Mail app (right-click -> Create Shortcut), then link that shortcut to the start menu as a custom item. Once it is a custom item you can give it any icon you want.

Restarting computer no change.
I tried all of the above, then finally my brain cells communicated in harmony.
Exit CSM, delete cache, and restart computer... Fixed.

I wrote too soon. Dang it. If I change metro color, the icon displays the last color.
Does not track, as in other places.
I think I'm just going to put a link to something different in the skin.


Thankyou Ivo for your time.

The right way is to add it as a link:

shell:AppsFolder\microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps_8wekyb3d8bbwe!microsoft.windowslive.mail

And specify nothing else for the item.

For me it always changes the color when my Windows color changes. Running Anniversary Update for the testing although I boot into Windows 10 like once every 6 months or once a year.

_________________
Links to some general topics:

● Compare Start Menus

● Read the Search box usage guide.

I am a Windows enthusiast and helped a little with Classic Shell's testing and usability/UX feedback.

Thanks Gaurav.

That's good to know about the shortened link version.

I can't try it right now. I buggered up the skin, and now get the white no skin menu.
I either have to go back to a backup, spend hours slowly putting in what I remember I did right,
or spend hours troubleshooting and undoing what I did wrong.
The skin was starting to look ok before that, but not as nice and active as original.


I gave up on using icon frames for second column. Did not work out. The emblem text hid behind the frames.
The only way is have the squares burnt into the bitmap, with emblem text as a higher layer above that.

I'm shelving the broken skin for awhile. Will try again for success next weekend.