Lots of Vista users are facing a strange problem and I'm getting lots of mails asking for the solution. The problem is, the folder icons in User folder change from special glass icons to simple folder icons.
Look at the following screenshot:
This is how the icons look in User folder which can be accessed using "%userprofile%" command or just select your username in Startmenu (just below the user pic).
But sometimes these icons (all or some) become simple default folder icons. It happens when "Desktop.ini" file becomes corrupted. Actually all these special glass icons are displayed using "desktop.ini" file which is present in each folder (hidden). Sometimes a few software make this file corrupt and these folders start showing simple folder icon.
The solution is very simple. Just replace "desktop.ini" file present in the corrupt folder with default one. The default "desktop.ini" file for each folder is given below. Just download following ZIP file, extract it and copy the default desktop.ini file and paste it in the folder which is showing corrupt icon.Windows will ask to overwrite the existing file, select "Copy & Replace".
NOTE: Log off or End Task of "explorer.exe" from Task Manager to see the changes.
Also check:
How to Fix Annoying Folder View Type Problem in Windows Vista and 7
This article was posted by VG in following section: Troubleshooting, Windows Vista.
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VG
I'm glad you fixed it yourself. :)
Aaron
I used this fix on my Videos folder but now when I view the folder's properties the available options are identical to those of a regular folder, and not like the other special user folders (whatever they're called. Specifically, it lacks the the 'Locations' tab, which I need because I keep all of my videos on my D drive. Any ideas?
SR
Still couldn't fix it.My Downloads folder icon is corrupt.I checked it thrice. Pls help me......
soccer21
I tried downloading those things, but it wouldn't let me copy them, windows kept telling me that I had to change the folder properties in order to replace the file. Instead, what worked for me (at least for the downloads folder: that was the only one i had trouble with) I simply deleted the old folder and created a new one with the same name. Windows automatically gave my new folder the same glossy icon.
Jesse
Hi.
I've had this problem for a long time but only on my Downloads folder. Now, after doing a lot of uninstalling to speed my computer up, my Pictures and Music icons are both messed up. I've tried to replace the desktop.ini files and I've unblocked them as well but the problem still persists. Could someone please give me some more instruction? I've also restarted, logged off, and ended Explorer.exe but still nothing.
Any help is appreciated!
You can send it to jdunlap@ymail.com or post on here if you think you have a solution.
Thanks
VG
^^ Delete "desktop.ini" file in both folders and then download the appropriate files mentioned in this topic and paste them in folders. It should help.
WOA
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I got all my icons back to normal. However, the ones I had to fix work like regular folders and not as navigation folders. Mainly I don't have the "location" tab. Does anybody know how to fix this?
VG
^^ Can you please post more details?
Carlo
OMG.. ur da best!!
u made it such a simpl job az well, all we havta do now iz jus save and replace..
dude, i wz trynna hack ma sys32 file "imageres.dll", nd belv me, nuttin'z been right after dat..
i tried system restore, and many otha thingz, apart from reformattin ma pc, cz i cdn be bothered, as i had jus recently reformatted ma pc.
bt yea, i'll cut the talkin.
thanx heapz hey
i havn tried it yet, t im lyk 99% sur it'l wurkk..
lol, harf da icons on ma desktop are looking weird
anyways, thanx once agen bro.
Carlo
AARGGHH.. da icons on ma desktop didn get fixed