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 the desired desktop.ini file (Right-click on the file and select "Save Link As..." or "Save Target As...") and paste in the folder which is showing corrupt icon.Windows will ask to overwrite the existing file, select "Copy & Replace".
Contacts - Desktop.ini
Desktop - Desktop.ini
Documents - Desktop.ini
Downloads - Desktop.ini
Favorites - Desktop.ini
Links - Desktop.ini
Music - Desktop.ini
Pictures - Desktop.ini
Saved Games - Desktop.ini
Searches - Desktop.ini
Videos - Desktop.ini
NOTE: Log off or End Task of "explorer.exe" from Task Manager to see the changes.
This article was posted in Troubleshooting, Windows Vista.
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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
infini3
Thank you very much !!!
Even I have to reinstall my computer just to fix this little problem. But I know the solution now.
skillmachine
My Downloads folder is still corrupt after trying to replace the desktop.ini. The thing is, I tell Limewire to save all its downloads in the downloads folder which is why it gets corrupted, but i just dont understand why it corrupts it... its so annoying and the only way to get it back to normal for me is using tuneup utilities, but its reverted everytime i start limewire! pls any help
VG
^^ It seems Limewire adds a hidden desktop.ini or autorun.inf file in "My Documents" folder which changes the icon. Nothing can be done except changing location in Limewire Options.
Mari
On Vista.
Uhm... in my Start Menu, my Music folder is corrupted. I cant change it or nothing. When I right-click on the Music folder, the only options are Copy, Rename, and Properties. In Properties, I cannot edit anything cause when I do, and click Apply, it goes to an error "The system cannot find the file specified." Thing is, I have my default Music folder and all. I've got no idea what to do.
Cause I cant set it to "OFF" (which option also disappered) or "Don't display this item."
I don't know if its my Start Menu thats corrupted or just the Music folder, cause my Desktop, Documents, etc are all OK.
Can you help me? Anybody? Please. Thank you.
Mari
Hello. Don't worry about it, I just fixed it.
It was a registry error and its all good now.
Thanks anyway and you got good stuff right here.
Someone
I tried your desktop.ini files, and it didn't work. I remember that I was replacing an icon in Resource Hacker for the imageres.dll file. Now I am totally lost. I can't use Resource Hacker, some other adminstrator required or the imageres.dll file.
Can you help me, I am very desperate for this problem to be solved!
Someone
I tried system restore and a error message came up saying C:\Windows\System32\rstrui.exe File System error (65535)
I heard that System Restore was one way to get your file icons back, but I'm getting a error.
PLEASE, I SAY PLEASE, PLEASE HELP ME!
Someone
I can't install anything, what do I do!?!?!?!
VG
^^ Try to repair Windows using setup disc. It'll solve the problem.