a small problem.

so I downloaded the prerace update and at the end there was a message that popped up about something missing. So I fixed that but now my BeamNG desktop shortcut is a piece of paper with a tiny fold in it.
(sorry I didn't mention this earlier) Also BeamNG still works too, its just a paper icon.

 

Try right clicking on the shortcut and selecting open file location and then make a new shortcut with the file. Alternatively you could change the icon of the current shortcut via the properties in the right click menu.

It seems to me like somehow the icon got lost somewhere, which does happen from time to time.

 

You don't even have BeamNG purchased (judging by the fact that you dont have the BeamNG.drive badge). Buy the game, or if you have already done so, link it to your account.