How to Fix User Folders Glass Icons Changed to Default Yellow Icons in Windows Vista?

Lots of Windows Vista users are facing a strange problem and after getting lots of emails regarding the same problem, today I decided to post a working solution for this problem.

The problem is, the glassy icons of User folders automatically change into default yellow folder icons in Windows Vista.

Look at the following screenshot which shows how the actual user folders icons look in Vista. You can access them using “%userprofile%” command in Start Menu searchbox or RUN dialog box or just click on your username showing in Start Menu (just below the user picture):

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Defult_Vista_Glass_User_Folder_Icons.png

But sometimes these glass icons (all or some) change to default yellow folder icons. It happens when “Desktop.ini” file becomes corrupted or gets deleted. Actually all these special glass icons are displayed using “desktop.ini” file which is present in each folder. By default, its a hidden file. Sometimes a few software make this file corrupt or delete it and that’s why these folders start showing simple yellow folder icon.

The solution is very simple. Just replace “desktop.ini” file present in the corrupt folder with the 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”.

Download Link

After replacing the file, log off or restart Explorer and you’ll be able to see new glassy icons again.

Published in: Troubleshooting Guides, Windows Vista

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

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  1. ^^ Microsoft has removed the glass icons from Windows 7 but you can replace the icons by modifying shell32.dll and imageres.dll files using Resource Hacker or using icon changing software.

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