Running XP SP3.

80% of the programs in my Programs List (Start > Programs) seem to have lost their Favicons.

I can't say for sure when / if they were there before, as I just noticed it.

Ie: Adobe Reader has it, Firefox and MS Office don't (among many others).

Is this normal?

If not, is there a way to restore the Favicons?

Thanks...

With XP, you can try tweakUI to see if it can refresh your icon cache

Go down to The Repair branch in this link
XP's Tweak UI tool gives users more options (http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-1051444.html)

Download Tweak UI
http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/c/a/fca6767b-9ed9-45a6-b352-839afb2a2679/TweakUiPowertoySetup.exe

When using other options with this program, Make sure you want to make the changes before applying - You can go back to program and change back, but just be careful

Seahwk,

Thanks for the article on TweakIU. I have the application, but have never used it.

I've customized a few icons on my desktop and wouldn't want Tweak to change them if possible.

Before I try this, I just noticed that the only programs in the Programs List that have the "Folder Icon" are the folders with right facing arrows that open the folder to multiple choices within the folder. The Programs within the folder have "normal" favicons. Maybe this is normal??

Also, I right clicked on a folder icon containing programs, (folder called MS Office), went to properties, then customize tab, and it showed the "folder icon" as the normal icon for this selection. Does that mean that it is normal to show folder icons for folders containing programs (same question as above I guess)??

Thank You

I just noticed that the only programs in the Programs List that have the "Folder Icon" are the folders with right facing arrows that open the folder to multiple choices within the folder. The Programs within the folder have "normal" favicons. Maybe this is normal??

Yes

2nd question also Yes

To change the folder icon for "
"
" are the folders with right facing arrows that open the folder to multiple choices within the folder. "

You would need to use another program, I know of 2 but are not free

Stardock Icon Packager (sometimes will not change the folder icon though) $50.00us

And febooti fileTweak - which adds options when you right click on anything when you choose properties (have not tried changing folder icons though) $25.00us

SeaHwk,

I must be getting senile. After all these years, I just noticed that the Programs List contains "folder icons".

So, I guess there is nothing to fix here.

I just don't remember seeing so many folders in the list.

Speaking of Favicons, I have another question that has been bugging me for a while. It's no big deal, but sometimes this little sh... t really bugs me.

I created a folder on my desktop call "Monthly Maintenance". It contains all the shortcuts to stuff I do monthly to keep my PC humming along, such as CCleaner, all my spyware and AV apps, Sys Restore, Defrag, etc.

I also have a few shortcuts such as speed tests that when I moved them from my desktop to my Maintenance Folder, I lost the icon. I've tried to put on an icon manually, but it won't take.. . As I'm reading this, I noticed the problem icons are all shortcuts to websites.

Any thoughts as to why these icons won't stick inside a folder?

Thanks again...

As far as website shortcuts and their icons go, what you can do is go back to the website, delete the shortcut you have and then re-save the website and move it where you like.

The icon should be saved with the new shortcut but a lot of times it won't stick for a long time, as temp files get deleted that may have that particular icon cached. ONly way to have an icon 'always' there is to have the icon stored on the drive itself somewhere.

I made a new shortcut to my desktop with it's favicon. But as soon as I drag it into the folder on my desktop, the icon disappears. If I drag the shortcut back out of the folder onto the desktop the icon reappears.

If I try and assign an icon from my C drive to the shortcut, it also disappears when I drag it into the folder.

If I try and assign an icon to the shortcut While IN the folder, it won't take.

This only happens on website shortcuts.

Thoughts?

Right click and choose Move

If that does not work, probably not going to be able to as the icon is in a cached temp folder somewhere and when moving it, it does not update the temp cache file - need to get icon physically in a folder on hard drive

See if you can just download the icon somewhere and store it on hard drive

1) When I right click, "move" is not an option

2) When I try and do a "change icon" the icons are in a folder on my C drive called: %SystemRoot%\system32\SHELL32.dll

But it still disappears as soon as I move it into the folder. If I drag it out of this folder, the icon reappears.

3) I created a different folder on the desktop, and it does the same thing.

I guess there is no hope?

But to your point, the icons ARE on my C drive, so I don't really understand that issue.

Thanks SeaHwk

Which icon is it or what webpage?

By default, when you try to change an icon (unless an exe file that may have other icons inside the exe itself) it will automatically go to the shell32.dll file to choose another icon
-From here if the icon is on hard drive, you would choose browse and browse to the icon

If I knew how to paste the icon image, I would show you. But it's the IE7 icon (the blue "e" with the gold halo around it. It has a white piece of paper behind it with the upper right corner folded forward.

This is the icon I get on every shortcut to every website, IF I put it inside the folder on my desktop. For example Speedtest.net - The Global Broadband Speed Test (http://www.speedtest.net)

If I take it out of the folder I get it's automatic icon, or whatever icon I have assigned to it manually off my C drive.

Just to reiterate, the icon are not affectted on the program shortcuts that I put in this same folder.

Which icon are you trying to use for the shortcut you are making

Ideally, the favicons that came with the link.

But if that is not possible, than any icon other than the ugly generic blue "e".

I have even tried downloading an ico icon from the net and assigning that, but again, as soon as I move the shortcut from the desktop to the folder, it changes to the generic "e" icon. (The correct icon still displays in the Properties dialog box, even when inside the folder).

Assign the icon 'after' you move it with the icon you would like

I assigned an icon inside while the shortcut was the folder. It displays the icon in the Properties window, but as soon as I hit apply / OK, the generic "e" displays inside the folder.

If I drag the shortcut out of the folder to the desktop, I get the correct icon. Drag it back in, and the icon changes back to the generic "e".

SeaHwk, is this normal operation for shortcuts to websites, inside a folder?

SORRY, TYPO ABOVE. PLEASE READ THIS:

I assigned an icon while the shortcut was inside the folder. It displays the icon in the Properties window, but as soon as I hit apply / OK, the generic "e" displays inside the folder.

If I drag the shortcut out of the folder to the desktop, I get the correct icon. Drag it back in, and the icon changes back to the generic "e".

SeaHwk, is this normal operation for shortcuts to websites, inside a folder

Try to assign it when you get it to where you want it to be and see if that works

That's what I did after your previous suggestion (see my last post). Didn't work.

I just tried this on my wife's PC (XP) and it does exactly the same thing.

Is it possible that you cannot assign an icon to a website shortcut if it's inside a folder?

Wow:

This person is having exactly the same problem:

internetexplorer general cannot change IE icon (http://www.eggheadcafe.com/software/aspnet/33978621/cannot-change-ie-icon.aspx)

Guess it would be trial and error but this one does not seem to take

Oh well, it's not that important I guess.

Seems like it should be a simple fix, but maybe it's an XP or IE7 bug??

Thanks for all your help...

I found a a workaround:

Create a new desktop shortcut (not an IE shortcut) -- Right click on desktop > click New > click Shortcut

For the target, enter: "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" http://www.sitename.com

Change the icon: Right click on icon > Properties > Change Icon

Drag the new shortcut into the folder. The Icon should follow.

Glad you got that to work out

Thanks again