I cleaned my registry with CCleaner and then ran it again and new items came up so I repeated a few times. When I went back to my desktop most of the icons had turned white and would not connect to anything. I tried rebooting, creating a new shortcut, everything. Nothing works. I can get to my sites by openiing explorer and dragging them into it. But most of my icons are useless. Any ideas for these broken links?
Did you make a backup of the registry entries that you cleaned when offered the chance of doing so by ccleaner?
Your best bet is Hazel's suggestion. Those backups created by CC can be a life saver.
Sounds like these shortcuts are links (.url) to web sites. Have you tried re-associating them with your web browser? I think the easiest way is to right click on one, select Open, then choose your web browser and check the box to always use this program for opening these file types.
However if the problem is not limited to URL file types (web page shortcuts) but other types of shortcuts arent working (programs, documents etc) then I might reccomend using system restore.
If restoring the registry backup solves the issue, you may want to attach the file to a post so we cant have a look.
Otherwise if not try the restore.
I did not backup and I already tried system restore back a week before the occurence and still desktop icons are non-functioning. I am able to access all programs other ways but most desktop icons are useless.
"most desktop icons are useless"
Could you confirm some info? Did you try re-associating them? Are they in fact all URL's (links to web sites)? Which version of Windows are you using?
As Disk4mat points out we need some more info from you in order to help you.
What operating system do you use?
Is it just desktop icons for links to the internet that are now white?
Do desktop icons to programs such as your av etc still work ?
Do you know how to re-associate them?