Storage of Icon sizing

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Pop

Hi all,

Is there any chance anyone knows where the Desktop Icon
sizes are stored?

I'm suspecting it's in the registry, and that there would be
two or more sets of data since there is a picture size AND a
text font and size and probably one or more envelopes for
the complete icon.

The reason for my interest is so I can control the sizes of
the icon presentations beyond what is available. Ideally, I
would prefer to have Text Only icons without graphics. I've
found DesktopX which does what I need, but is cumbersome if
there is any activity other than minimal on the Desktop.
Every icon has to be manually created and setup with
DesktopX. Plus, it's an additional layer of complexity
which shouldn't be necessary, if it can be handled another
way.
It wouldn't matter whether the text presentation was
actually text or a graphic representation of text; I don't
care how it's accomplished unless it's a PIA process. I
would also like, and suspect won't get, to have the text
change when the mouse hovers over the text, ready to click.
e.g. under a VIDEO text menu on my desktop, I have MM2 as
one of the choices. When I hover over MM2, it switches to
MS MM Ver 2 for the text. The changing text isn't a
dealbreaker though; I can do without it; it's only a
druther.

Thanks for any input you may provide: any and all advice
appreciated. Oh yes, I'm no guru, but I do know my way
around working with the Registry and everyday internals, so
don't be afraid of being too technical - if I don't
understand I'm not shy about asking <g>, and yes, I am aware
of the dangers of making changes to system files and data.

Regards,

Pop
 
Pop said:
Hi all,

Is there any chance anyone knows where the Desktop Icon
sizes are stored?

I'm suspecting it's in the registry, and that there would be
two or more sets of data since there is a picture size AND a
text font and size and probably one or more envelopes for
the complete icon.

The reason for my interest is so I can control the sizes of
the icon presentations beyond what is available. Ideally, I
would prefer to have Text Only icons without graphics. I've
found DesktopX which does what I need, but is cumbersome if
there is any activity other than minimal on the Desktop.
Every icon has to be manually created and setup with
DesktopX. Plus, it's an additional layer of complexity
which shouldn't be necessary, if it can be handled another
way.
It wouldn't matter whether the text presentation was
actually text or a graphic representation of text; I don't
care how it's accomplished unless it's a PIA process. I
would also like, and suspect won't get, to have the text
change when the mouse hovers over the text, ready to click.
e.g. under a VIDEO text menu on my desktop, I have MM2 as
one of the choices. When I hover over MM2, it switches to
MS MM Ver 2 for the text. The changing text isn't a
dealbreaker though; I can do without it; it's only a
druther.

Thanks for any input you may provide: any and all advice
appreciated. Oh yes, I'm no guru, but I do know my way
around working with the Registry and everyday internals, so
don't be afraid of being too technical - if I don't
understand I'm not shy about asking <g>, and yes, I am aware
of the dangers of making changes to system files and data.

Regards,

Pop

Pop

Interesting question.

The icon size and icon font size for the Desktop are stored in:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics

However the problem is that this is a global setting. I don't think that
what you are asking for can be accomplished without it being a PIA
procedure. :) Each desktop item has it's own properties since it is
associated with a particular icon that resides in a DLL, EXE, OCX or other
file type. This means that each shortcut, program or application icon on the
desktop will have a custom path to it's own icon.

I suppose it's possible to have a "blank" graphic for an icon, which would
get rid of the graphic and only the text for the shortcut would be showing,
however this would need to be configured for each separate desktop item and
you would likely run into problems with the color of the blank icon. You
might be able to make a completely transparent icon or one with the same
exact color as the desktop, if you use a single color desktop background.

It would likely take a third party program to accomplish this and I don't
remember seeing anything with this type of utility.
--
Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

Please reply to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
http://www.dts-l.org
http://www.mvps.org
 
Pop said:
Is there any chance anyone knows where the Desktop Icon
sizes are stored?

I'm suspecting it's in the registry, and that there would be
two or more sets of data since there is a picture size AND a
text font and size and probably one or more envelopes for
the complete icon.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\desktop\WindowMetrics

The Shell Icon Size is evident. Icon spacings are held in a rather odd
way and the Font names in a binary entry that includes the name in
Unicode, and presumably something that effectively gives the size in the
other information. But that is the key to export if you want to
experiment and be able to restore the previous settings
 
| "Pop" <[email protected]>
| wrote in message | <SNIP> Is there any chance anyone knows where the Desktop Icon
| sizes are stored? <SNIP> The reason for my interest is so I can
| control the sizes of the icon presentations beyond what is
| available. Ideally, I would prefer to have Text Only icons
| without graphics. <SNIP>

If by writing "Desktop Icon" you mean Desktop Shortcuts to
objects, then... To expand on what "Ronnie Vernon MVP" posted.

Since it is possible to use a *.bmp as an icon, an easy solution
would be to use MSPaint to create a 32 X 32 pixel transparent
image *.bmp and use it as the icon for your Desktop Shortcuts.

Of course, as "Ronnie Vernon MVP" posted, "this would need to be
configured for each separate desktop item". Furthermore, unless
you changed the properties of shortcuts (to, for example, use the
same transparent.bmp you created instead of the default overlay
icon) you would still have the Shortcut Arrow.

For more information about how to use MSPaint to create a
"transparent image" and "change the size of your picture" search
Paint Help for the phrases in double-quotes (with the quotes) and
read the topics.

For more information about how to "change the icon for the
shortcut" search the Windows XP Help and Support Center for the
phrase in double-quotes (with the quotes) and read the Full-text
Search Match by that title.

And for more information about how to change the Shortcut Arrow
see the following Registry Tweak:

Registry Guide for Windows
Remove or Change the Shortcut Arrow (All Versions)
http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/75/

NOTE:
Changing or deleting registry entries can cause you to have to
reinstall the whole operating system. Before you run the
Registry Editor I recommend that you understand how to backup,
edit and restore the registry.

In particular, I suggest that you read the KB Article section
titled "Export Registry Keys" and then, before you edit the
registry, export the keys that you plan to edit. For more
information see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base Article
and/or Registry FAQ.

KB322756 - HOW TO: Back Up, Edit, and Restore the Registry in
Windows XP and Windows Server
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?Product=winxp&scid=kb;en-us;322756

Windows Registry Guide - Windows Registry FAQ
http://www.winguides.com/article.php?id=1&guide=registry
 
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