How to Fix User Folders Showing Simple Folder Icon in Windows Vista?

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.

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This article was posted in Troubleshooting, Windows Vista.

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76 Comments

Someone

Thanks.
Someone

If your your folder icon still don't appear after applying this tutorial, try this:

or

If you also have this error, File System error (65535)

Restart in Safe Mode with Command Prompt (to load: press F8 before the Windows Logo appears).

Type sfc /scannow in the Command Prompt windows that should appear. (there is space between sfc and /scannow.

Restart your computer and you should get them back.
louis

thanks a lot.. it really helped me!!
koly

wow!!!!,great post,anymore?
louis

hi...
the problem occured again and now it affected the folders for favorites and desktop,, i tried to do as instructed again but now, the icons do not return to glossy.. i tried to follow the instructions many times but nothing happens... please please help me,,,
Someone

Louis, check this out.

If your your folder icon still don't appear after applying this tutorial, try this:

If your your folder icon still don't appear after applying this tutorial, try this:

or

If you also have this error, File System error (65535)

Restart in Safe Mode with Command Prompt (to load: press F8 before the Windows Logo appears).

Type sfc /scannow in the Command Prompt windows that should appear. (there is space between sfc and /scannow).

That's it. Restart your computer and you should get them back.
Tony

Why is that when I delete that Desktop file after it fixes things the icons return to their corrupt state? Do I need to keep that file there at all times now? Isn't there another way to restore the default settings?
VG

^^ Yes. You'll need to have the file forever.
Hector

I found a simple solution, I do a right click on desktop, then chose view > there are a lot of options including "show icons on desktop"; that fix my problem. xD wheee! hehehe i'm happy now! xD
Someone

Need more help?

If your your folder icon still don't appear after applying this tutorial, try this:

If your your folder icon still don't appear after applying this tutorial, try this:

or

If you also have this error, File System error (65535)

Restart in Safe Mode with Command Prompt (to load: press F8 before the Windows Logo appears).

Type sfc /scannow in the Command Prompt windows that should appear. (there is space between sfc and /scannow).

That's it. Restart your computer and you should get them back.