Windows 11 Gmail Icon Missing After Update? Here’s the Fix

If your Gmail icon disappeared after installing a recent Windows 11 update, the issue may be linked to changes introduced in the February 24 preview update (KB5077241). Some users reported that after installing this update, pinned web apps like Gmail vanished from the Start menu or refused to stay pinned.

Microsoft’s release notes mention a redesigned Start menu rollout but do not reference Gmail directly. However, because pinned web apps rely on Start layout registration and icon cache data, a Start menu refresh can remove or reset those shortcuts during the update process.

Gmail itself continues to function normally in the browser. The issue affects only the pinned icon registration.

Below are the proven steps to restore your Gmail icon and prevent it from disappearing again.

Fix 1: Reinstall Gmail as a Web App (Best Permanent Fix)

If you originally pinned Gmail from Chrome or Edge, reinstall it properly.

If You Use Google Chrome

1. Open Gmail in Chrome.
2. Click the three dots (top-right).
3. Select Cast, save, and share.
4. Click Install page as app.
5. Confirm installation.
6. Right-click the new Gmail app → Pin to Start and Pin to Taskbar.

This creates a clean app container that Windows registers correctly.

If You Use Microsoft Edge

1. Open Gmail in Edge.
2. Click the three dots.
3. Go to Apps → Install this site as an app.
4. Confirm installation.
5. Pin it again to Start and Taskbar.

This method prevents the icon from disappearing again.

Fix 2: Clear the Windows Icon Cache

If icons continue to vanish, rebuild the icon database.

• Press Win + R.
• Type:

%localappdata%

• Open:

Microsoft\Windows\Explorer

• Delete files starting with:

iconcache

• Restart your PC.

Windows rebuilds the icon cache automatically on reboot.

Fix 3: Uninstall KB5077241 (Optional Preview Update)

KB5077241 is a preview update, not a mandatory security patch. You can safely remove it.

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Windows Update.
3. Click Update History.
4. Select Uninstall Updates.
5. Find KB5077241.
6. Click Uninstall.
7. Restart your PC.

After removal, your Start layout should stabilize.

Fix 4: Reset Start Menu Layout (Advanced)

If the problem persists:

• Open PowerShell as Administrator.
• Run:

Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

• Restart your system.

This re-registers Windows apps and refreshes the Start environment.

Should You Avoid Preview Updates?

Yes — unless you need a specific fix. Microsoft releases:

• Security updates on the second Tuesday of each month
• Optional preview updates on the fourth Tuesday

Preview updates may introduce UI changes before full rollout. Many IT professionals wait several days before installing them.

Reinstall Gmail as a web app first. That solves the issue in most cases. Avoid installing optional preview updates unless you need them. Let monthly security updates install normally.

If the problem returns after future updates, reinstall the web app instead of pinning a browser shortcut.