Fix Metro Icon Pictures Have Gone Missing in Windows 8 (8.1)

Undoubtedly, the sudden update from Windows 7’s Desktop Style to Windows 8’s Metro UI can puzzle even the most profound computer geeks. However, things get increasingly more baffling when the Metro-Style icons mysteriously replace themselves with rectangular box-like images [], leaving the user unsure of whether proceeding with a complete OS reinstallation, or ignoring the enigma altogether. Fortunately, we demand you to do neither. This article presents a thorough explanation to this error, and mentions proven steps to solve the unknown.

Causes

This problem occurs when a system font “Segoe UI Symbol” becomes damaged, or goes missing. Consequently, the contained content, including several Metro icons, get affected and result in being replaced with weird characters instead.

In other cases, it is observed that either the user himself, or some third-party software may replace the default file with an older version which comes preinstalled with Windows 7 (Version 5.01). Upon failing to find the desired object, Windows “messes it up” and reverts to displaying funny icons in their place.

Fortunately, the cure to both issues is similar; reinstate this crucial piece into the system. How? Read this troubleshooting guide and you’ll be confident enough to answer this question happily yourself.

Method 1: SFC Scan

This important command-line tool scans the computer for corrupt/missing files, and attempts to heal the misfortune automatically. While success is not always guaranteed, this is a potent first step nonetheless.

Here is what you should do:

• Open WinX menu by pressing Windows + X keys
• Click Command Prompt (Admin)
• In the elevated window, type SFC /SCANNOW and hit Enter
• Wait for the system to complete the scan (typically 1-2 hours)
• Restart PC to bring the changes into effect

Open your Interface again and see if this method resolved your cause. If it still doesn’t work, continue with the resolution below.

Method 2: Install the File Manually

This method is divided into two steps; grabbing a copy of the original “Segoe UI Symbol” font and then installing it into your machine. This is a manual method that assures appropriate placement of the correct file in your PC, removing the error completely.

Refer to the brief steps below to perform this procedure.

Step 1: Copy the File

To get a hold of the original make, you can adopt any of the following ways:

Way 1: Copy From Another Windows 8 System

• Access a functioning Windows 8 system
• Open Run box by hitting Windows + R keys
• Type Fonts and press Enter
• In the Fonts directory look for Segoe UI Symbol
• Right-click this file and choose Copy
• Paste this material to an external storage device
• Transfer the font file from the device to your troubling PC

Way 2: Extract From Windows 8 Setup ISO

Using this method, you can extract seguisym.ttf present in Windows\Fonts folder.

To learn more about extracting how to extract system files from Windows Setup ISO, refer to these steps:

• Insert Windows Setup disc
• Navigate to Sources folder
• Right-click install.wim and Open archive using your archiving utility (preferably 7-Zip)
• Open the folder corresponding to your Windows edition
• Browse through the folders and copy/extract the desired file

Way 3: Download it Directly

If you are unsure of your computer skills to perform the above tasks, simply download the file using this link. Once downloaded, extract the ZIP file and search for seguisym.ttf

Step 2: Install It

All that remains now is to install this extracted file. This is done by right-clicking the object, and choosing Install. If prompted to replace the existing copy, click Yes

That’s it! You problem will immediately be fixed. To verify the results, restart your computer and notice the default icons overriding the annoying rectangular shapes.