Thank you for the youtube video, it helps understanding the issue. It seems the icons get in a non working state for you sometime, which doesn't happen here on an existing upgraded systems nor in a fresh installation so likely a timing or config issue. Would it be possible to get a 'journalctl -b 0' log after seeing the issue and add it to the bug.
Nautilus upstream decided to remove handling for launcher which is not something we are really happy about but that's their choice, you can read about it there https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/nautilus/issues/184 The desktop is now handled by a new component so the issue you describe is due to that one, reassigning ** Bug watch added: gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/nautilus/issues #184 https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/nautilus/issues/184 ** Package changed: nautilus (Ubuntu) => gnome-shell-extension-desktop- icons (Ubuntu) ** Changed in: gnome-shell-extension-desktop-icons (Ubuntu) Status: Incomplete => New -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Desktop Packages, which is subscribed to gnome-shell-extension-desktop-icons in Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1878392 Title: Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa desktop launchers not working Status in gnome-shell-extension-desktop-icons package in Ubuntu: New Bug description: Using the procedure here = https://linuxconfig.org/how-to-create-desktop-shortcut-launcher-on-ubuntu-20-04-focal-fossa-linux AND OTHERWISE I have successfully created launchable desktop app shortcuts. But they stop working: (1) no launch; (2) no right click context to make launchable; and (3) no app icon. They can even remain in ~/Desktop but disappear from the desktop view. A logout kills them. Creating another new launcher is successful and peculiarly triggers the temporary reactivation of all the others. But euphoria soon dies as they all revert to inertia later. My work around at present is to install PCManFM 1.3.1. Navigating to ~/Desktop on PCManFM, my Nautilus created launchers are all visible, launchable and have the usual colourful app icon features. But they remain inert in Nautilus. My Gnome version is: 3.36.1 To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gnome-shell-extension-desktop-icons/+bug/1878392/+subscriptions -- Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~desktop-packages Post to : desktop-packages@lists.launchpad.net Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~desktop-packages More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp