strange issue with file icons/

[413x]

I have noticed a starnge issue with file icons occurring on my laptop

when i open a new folder all the icons a blank
by blank i mean that in my computer for example all the icons for drives etc are just the base white rectangle.. no drive icons
this is also the case with .exes and even mp4s/mkvs do not display their previews for a loong time. This time is usually more than 10 seconds

i cant think what is creating the lag

 

[MarcLister]

Has this just started? Have you installed a new program recently that might be taking up RAM? Have you checked your task manager to see how much of your CPU/RAM is in use at any point in time?

How old is your Windows install and what Windows is it? XP? Vista? 7? 8?