Yellow Folder Icons all changed, other icons removed by Windows.

[chad]

Hi All

Something weird happened after the last Windows Automatic Update, any standard yellow Windows folder icon I had has changed from the small yellow icon that is standard, to the icon Windows uses when it does not recognize an extension, the black, blue and red Folder screen icon or whatever it is.

Also, some other Icons also disappeared altogether, such as on the Start Bar, icons for functions such as 'Search', 'Run', 'Help and Support' and 'My Network Places' also went altogether, and were not replaced by another.

I didn't think it would be a big deal, but it's amazing how much it slows you down when searching for folders, the yellow icon is imprinted into my brain. Not to mention using different computers for work etc, it's getting frustrating!

I know I can right click "Properties" "Customize" and change icon, but the yellow folder icon isn't even an option when I do this, and in fact I only have 3 icons to choose from now - blue DOS screen, Note Pad, and the one is present now instead of the yellow folder icons.

Running XP SP3. I have done some searching for this issue and it has been around, but no-one has ever found the solution on the forums I've read, anyway.

Cheers,

[jason2074]

Try referring to this section: http://www.computerhope.com/overview.htm

[jason2074]

Try referring to this section: http://www.computerhope.com/overview.htm

OR http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

[chad]

Try referring to this section: http://www.computerhope.com/overview.htm

Thanks, but I'm not quite sure which of those 130+ MS dos commands I should be looking at to solve this error? None of them jump out at me

If you could suggest one that would be great

[chad]

OR http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Link appears to be dead

[harry 48]

the link works fine have a look at number 4

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

[jason2074]

Link appears to be dead

Actually there are 400+ options but try, 231 or 234 which is more relevant to your issue.

[chad]

the link works fine have a look at number 4

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Thanks Harry, that regedit didn't change anything noticable (after restart) the problem still persists

C

[chad]

Actually there are 400+ options but try, 231 or 234 which is more relevant to your issue.

Thanks for that Jason

They might have updated their list since your post - 231 is now "Show Favourites Expanded" and 234 is "Automatically resize image in IE window."

Unless these actually do solve this problem as well? I've searched the list for one that might fix my problem and can't see one thats obvious...

c

[chad]

Interesting update

I've just discovered that this Folder Icon problem isn't happening with ALL folders. Some are still yellow with thumbs, some are of the unknown extension variety.

And also, if I plug in an extarnal drive, the icons for that are still unchanged, but the longer it stays plugged into my PC, the more folders lose their icons! Bizarre

Is there a Hard Drive setting that can cause this?

Windows shits me

[chad]

And in another development - if I right click "New Folder" on my desktop, I actually get a yellow folder! If I try to move it into my C drive (or D Drive) the icon changes...

If I right click "New Folder" in my drives, no folder icon.

perplexing!

[cervantes100]

Just try a system restore and go back.

[chad]

Just try a system restore and go back.

I've always been a bit nervous with system restores - how far back do they go? And how do I go about doing one?

Any chance I'll lose anything from the past few days, any changes, updates, downloads etc?

[cervantes100]

If you install programs it might delete it. But anything save in my documents might be alright. But try to go back before you start having this problem.

[chad]

If you install programs it might delete it. But anything save in my documents might be alright. But try to go back before you start having this problem.

Nothing 'stored' on C drive to worry about, but nervoud about things like my Outlook .pst file, contacts, calendar etc. Virus updates?

any idea how system restores affect these things?