Where in Registry to change DefaultIcon for File Types?

  • Thread starter Thread starter David4321
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David4321

1) How can I change the default icons for file types in the registry?

I added the key "DefaultIcon" to several file types as listed in
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT and set the data to the full file path of the icon -
I'd have thought that would work. I've restarted, and it did not.

Where is the correct location & method?

2) Also: (once I get the correct location & make the edits) How can I
create a registry file that will add the specified changes to an
existing registry when clicked? Not save the entire registry, and
replace it, just add the specified keys & data to install these icon
changes. This should be at least good as a backup, for editing a new or
reinstalled OS, and ideally (if possible) a file that can perform a
smart operation by substituting or getting around the current system's
user folder name.

Thanks
 
1) How can I change the default icons for file types in the registry?

I added the key "DefaultIcon" to several file types as listed in
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT and set the data to the full file path of the icon -
I'd have thought that would work. I've restarted, and it did not.

Where is the correct location & method?

2) Also: (once I get the correct location & make the edits) How can I
create a registry file that will add the specified changes to an
existing registry when clicked? Not save the entire registry, and
replace it, just add the specified keys & data to install these icon
changes. This should be at least good as a backup, for editing a new or
reinstalled OS, and ideally (if possible) a file that can perform a
smart operation by substituting or getting around the current system's
user folder name.

Thanks
Click to expand...

A quick way to do #2 is to export a key and use the resulting .reg file as
a template.

To incorporate a .reg file, either import it from the registry editor or
just double-click on the file.
 
David4321 said:
1) How can I change the default icons for file types in the registry?

I added the key "DefaultIcon" to several file types as listed in
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT and set the data to the full file path of the icon -
I'd have thought that would work. I've restarted, and it did not.

Where is the correct location & method?
Click to expand...


That's the correct method. You add the 'DefaultIcon' key at the location
under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT referenced by the value of the default key of

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\<<particular extension>>

The value of the its default key is the icon you want eg

C:\Windows\System32\SHELL32.dll,24

to get 'icon 24' in the shell32.dll file.

2) Also: (once I get the correct location & make the edits) How can I
create a registry file that will add the specified changes to an
existing registry when clicked? Not save the entire registry, and
replace it, just add the specified keys & data to install these icon
changes. This should be at least good as a backup, for editing a new or
reinstalled OS, and ideally (if possible) a file that can perform a
smart operation by substituting or getting around the current system's
user folder name.

Thanks
Click to expand...


As Gene E Bloch suggested, once you've got the 'DefaultIcon' key in the
correct position, you can right-click it within regedit and choose 'Export'
to form a .reg file.
 
Thanks all for helpful responses
On Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:26:47 +0000, David4321 wrote:
-
1) How can I change the default icons for file types in the registry?

I added the key "DefaultIcon" to several file types as listed in
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT and set the data to the full file path of the ico
-
I'd have thought that would work. I've restarted, and it did not.

Where is the correct location & method?

2) Also: (once I get the correct location & make the edits) How can I
create a registry file that will add the specified changes to an
existing registry when clicked? Not save the entire registry, and
replace it, just add the specified keys & data to install these icon
changes. This should be at least good as a backup, for editing a ne
or
reinstalled OS, and ideally (if possible) a file that can perform a
smart operation by substituting or getting around the curren
system's
user folder name.

Thanks-

A quick way to do #2 is to export a key and use the resulting .reg fil
as
a template.

To incorporate a .reg file, either import it from the registry edito
or
just double-click on the file.
Click to expand...
 
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