Are you using an Untouched windows 7 dvd seem to me that it is not when windows install is adding other users.
Windows 7 US x64 and x86 MSDN untouched original ISO. (The second explorer problem happened to both, the first happened to first.)
I have the icons problem too. When i pin a program to the taskbar and delete the shortcut from desktop, the icon in the taskbar turns white.
Found a fix. Reinstalled this crap. 1 hour from my life (15 min install, 45 min for apps). Not that much, maybe faster than other fixes. But the other problem is still active.