Hi Taxicabman,
Please try the following troubleshooting steps:
1) To create Msn shortcut to Desktop
a. Click on start and then click Run.
b. In the Run command windows type c:\Program Files\MSN, hit enter
c. Locate the Msn butterfly icon and right click and choose send to - Desktop(create Shortcut)
d. Check for the butterfly icon and if the issue is not fixed then its quite possible that the software is corrupted. You have to Uninstall and Reinstall Msn.
Troubleshooting steps to perform clean Uninstallation:
a. Back up and restore archived e-mail if saved any on your computer.
1. Sign in to MSN.
2. Select Help & Settings, and then click Settings.
3. Click Change your E-mail Settings.
4. Click Import or Export e-mail, copy e-mail, or import contacts.
5. Click Copy E-mail, and then click next.
6. Select Save your MSN e-mail stored on this computer.
7. The Save As dialog box will show the default path of C:\Documents and Settings\ user name \My documents. Do not change this path. Click next, and then click done.
b. Remove Msn software through Add\Remove programs.
• Windows Vista
1. Exit all programs that are running.
2. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
3. In Control Panel, click Programs and Features.
4. Click Add or Remove Programs.
5. Select MSN Explorer, click Uninstall.
6. Click MSN Internet Software, MSN, or MSN Internet Access, and then click Uninstall.
7. If you are prompted, confirm that you want to remove the program, and then click OK.
• Microsoft Windows XP
1. Exit all programs that are running.
2. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
3. Click Add or Remove Programs.
4. Select Msn and then click Remove
5. If you are prompted, confirm that you want to remove the program, and then click OK.
d. Restart the computer
How to Reinstall Msn:
a. Start Microsoft Internet Explorer.
b. Visit http://membercenter.msn.com/download.aspx.
c. Sign in using your MSN account @msn.com.
d. At the top right click on Download Msn software.
e. Click Download and Install the latest MSN Software.
f. At the top of the Web page, click Install Now.
g. When you are prompted to open or to save the file, click Open to download the MSN Installer. h. When you are prompted, click No I am not currently connected, and then click next.
i. When you are prompted, type your e-mail address and password, and then click next.
j. To configure dial-up access, click No I will configure my dial internet access later.
k. Review the End User License Agreement (EULA), and then click I agree.
l. A screen appears that prompts you to select a Typical, Custom, or Minimal installation of MSN software. Select Typical, and then click next.
m. When the installation is completed, click Finish.
n. When you are prompted, sign in and enter your password.
Please revert back for further assistance.
Thanks!