AlanHo Posted September 12, 2007 Report Share Posted September 12, 2007 I may have posted this problem before - some time ago when using XP - which was never resolved. I now have a Vista Ultimate computer which is also misbehaving.When you add a new desktop shortcut to the desktop - it allocates a standard explorer icon. I have changed these to more descriptive icons stored on my hard disc by right clicking the icon, selecting change icon, browsing to my file of icons (.ico files)clicking apply etc. The chosen icon then appears on the desktop.However - sometimes, for no apparent reason, certain icons randomly revert to the explorer icon. Right clicking on the desktop and selecting "Refresh" has no effect. After a reboot - the icons may - or may not - correct themselves. It is worth noting that it is only the icons I have allocated that randomly change and it is not always the same ones. Icons allocated by a programme - such as CCleaner or Acronis, are rock steady.If I right click on the faulty ones the heading of the web document tab still shows the correct icon but I have to go through the procedure of changing the icon all over again to get the specific icon back on the desktop. See screenshot for an example of the desktop folder called Windows Forum which contains the appropriate shortcuts.This used to happen from time to time when I used Windows XP - but seems more prevalent on Vista.I have searched the Microsoft knowledge base in vain - does anyone have a solution...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanHo Posted October 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 I am still wrestling with this problem without success - having tried a number of remedies suggested from other sites.I have noticed that the problem is only with desktop shortcuts that open a website. Icons to open programmes, folders or files on the computer remain stable.I have had the thought that if I could create an individual batch file which in turn opens the URL for each website it might provide a fix. In this case each desktop icon would be for a batchfile and not directly a URL. The problem is I don't know if it is possible - and if so the text required for such a file.I would appreciate the help of our experts (simple abc language please) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 Since you last discussed this topic, the icons that I created on the day are still exactly as created. I don't know why there should be this difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanHo Posted October 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 Could be XP versus Vista. However it used to happen occasionally on my old XP computer.There are quite a few threads on the topic on various sites - so I am not alone. Are your icons contained in a desktop folder - or directly on the desktop. For some wierd reason icons directly on the desktop are more stable than those in a folder.I remain interested in my batch file idea and would welcome the help of someone good at creating batch files. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 Could be XP versus Vista. However it used to happen occasionally on my old XP computer.There are quite a few threads on the topic on various sites - so I am not alone. Are your icons contained in a desktop folder - or directly on the desktop. For some wierd reason icons directly on the desktop are more stable than those in a folder.I remain interested in my batch file idea and would welcome the help of someone good at creating batch files.My icons are directly on the desktop. I right clicked the open desktop and selected New/Shortcut. I opened the website that I wanted and copied and pasted the URL into the new folder. All I had to do then was rename it. This was my final choice of method after several experiments. This was more stable than typing a URL onto the new folder. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanHo Posted October 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 My icons are directly on the desktop. I right clicked the open desktop and selected New/Shortcut. I opened the website that I wanted and copied and pasted the URL into the new folder. All I had to do then was rename it. This was my final choice of method after several experiments. This was more stable than typing a URL onto the new folder. :Dandsome - they will be stable if that is all you do because the system allocates the standard explorer icon to every such shortcut.I want different icons for each shortcut so I right click on the icon, select properties, select "change icon" then browse to my folder where the icons are stored, click on my chosen icon and bobs yer uncle - the desktop icon is now unique. But only for a while - because sooner or later it reverts to the explorer one.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanHo Posted October 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 I have now been able to create batch files for each of my desktop shortcuts to websites - with help from another place. For example - the text for the batch file to open this Forum is :-"C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IExplore.exe" "http://www.windowsforum.org/forums/index.php?act=idx"I have assigned unique icons to each desktop shortcut and they have remained stable for a couple of hours now. Fingers crossed - I may just have the problem licked - but watch this space..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarecrow Man Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 I believe it has something to do with cookies and temporary internet files.You may want to make a shortcut, verify the icon, then run CCleaner and reboot to see if the icon stays intact or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanHo Posted October 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 I believe it has something to do with cookies and temporary internet files.You may want to make a shortcut, verify the icon, then run CCleaner and reboot to see if the icon stays intact or not.Thanks for the thought - it doesn't cure the problem though. I can't remember all the things I have tried from various suggestions but they include :-Right click on desktop and refresh iconsUsing Microangelo to modify all icons to 256x256 pixel size Placing all ico files in a folder on the C: drive with the OSThis procedureRight click icon, select properties, make read onlyAnd lots more tweaks long forgottenI am getting cautiously optimistic about my latest ploy with these batch files - all the icons have been stable for several hours now. Never happened before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panarchy Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 Good to hear! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 My icons are directly on the desktop. I right clicked the open desktop and selected New/Shortcut. I opened the website that I wanted and copied and pasted the URL into the new folder. All I had to do then was rename it. This was my final choice of method after several experiments. This was more stable than typing a URL onto the new folder. :Dandsome - they will be stable if that is all you do because the system allocates the standard explorer icon to every such shortcut.I want different icons for each shortcut so I right click on the icon, select properties, select "change icon" then browse to my folder where the icons are stored, click on my chosen icon and bobs yer uncle - the desktop icon is now unique. But only for a while - because sooner or later it reverts to the explorer one..I showed a screen shot of them earlier in this topic. They are NOT the standard E. Once created they have the correct icon for the program. Have another look. Plus one or two more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanHo Posted November 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2007 Four days has now elapsed since I changed the shortcut method and all my icons have remained stable.The batch file ploy has done the trick a treat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted November 5, 2007 Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 Mine are also the same as I created. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.