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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mark harris
Thank's mate for the desktop.ini its been giveing me a pain for ages now i can just save the file so whenever i need it ,, nice
thanks very much-------
:hug:
Jas
Does'nt work for the downloads folder
Jas
Oh wait I just rechecked it and it DOES! WEIRD...
Edmond
This is EXACTLY what I'm looking for, Thanks dude!
FYI: It works on non-english vistas. (I am using Traditional Chinese)
Perry
Hey.
I have tried everything here that has been posted in the comments and in the guide and my downloads folder icon is still the nasty yellow default. I also have System Restore disabled so I cannot use that to go back.
Any ideas?
Regards.
Matt
The tips didn't work for me, either. I know some programs that use the the folders directory, changes the folder's icon, but i have redirected those programs, uninstalled them and still nothing has changed the icons for my Links and Downloads folders. Oooh well.. seems that it just happened out of nowhere right after a recent Windows Update, though.
Nikolaj
i dont have probs with dokumens .etc i hav a prob wit my userfolder all other userfolders look like windows 7 ones
,
goodywitch
THANK YOU! This was such a little annoyance, but it was still bugging me. I hated seeing the contents of my download folder. After a couple of tries, it worked!
I came across this article while looking for a replacement icon.
Also, in case anyone is reading, always backup, and keep track of what you did so you can reverse it. A .ini file seems to be bascially text file, so there's not excuses.
Anthony
ok i did this, (restarted ECT..)
But then i deleted my music folder ;[
U know whats the problem?
Answerer
Everyone!
I found a way! I tried to do what this website says, and my situation was just the desktop looked like a regular folder. It didn't work. Now what I did was copied all my folders and files on my desktop to a seperate folder in My Documents, which I named Desktop. I moved that file into the default Desktop folder, and it asked if I wanted to merge the files. I did, but nothing happened. Then, I renamed the file I created to "Desktopp", then changed the icon (Desktopp is still in My Documents) by typing in .....imageres.dll*, then I chose the icon, moved it in to the default Desktop place, and voila! The default just went back to the glassy icon! I deleted Desktopp and everything is now fine!!
*where I said .....imageres.dll, I meant to say %SystemRoot%\system32\imageres.dll