Windows 7: Unable to change folder icons

I recently had to do a fresh reinstall of Windows 7 Ultimate, 64-bit, & am now having problems changing any folder's image in the customary way (Properties >> Customize >> Choose File (to show on this folder icon)). After choosing & opening a file image, I "Apply" & click "OK". However, the selected image does not show up immediately as before (& as it should). I now have to add an empty "TEST" folder to the folder whose image I'm trying to change. Once this "TEST" folder has been added, the new image appears (sometimes I need to re-boot), & I can then delete the empty "TEST" folder. Furthermore, this method can be inconsistent, & a folder may revert to another image (especially in my backup drive). I have attached 2 screenshots of my Folder Options. Any help/recommendations to solve this maddening problem would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks.

as its an image you want to show in the folder and not actually change the folder icon to a different one.
then rename the image inside the folder to "folder", it will show then ,or at least it should, this is only a workaround im afraid and doesnt really answer your problem, i wonder if rebuilding the icons cache may help


Icon Cache - Rebuild - Windows 7 Forums

Boohbah, Thank you for responding. I am really hoping, though, for a fix to this quirk, rather than another workaround... I tried to change a folder's image on my husband's laptop (same O/S), & sure enough, it worked as it should (Properties >> Customize >> Choose File (to show on this folder icon). Choose & Open file image, "Apply", & "OK".) The folder image appeared immediately, & no reboot was necessary. I compared our Folder Options, but there was no significant difference between them. I'm reluctant to rebuild my icon cache, as I don't know how this will impact the many folders I have already customized with my kooky workaround. I'm hoping that it's just some setting I've overlooked, or some "broken" command that can be easily repaired... Keeping my fingers crossed that someone can help...

did you try renaming the image that you want to display to "folder"

i find this way quicker as its just a quick title change rather than navigate to the folder properties and selecting customise then selecting the image etc.
not so much a workaround but an alternate way to achieve the same ...(quicker!)

Thanks for this tip, Boohbah. It would be a quicker alternative, but each of my many (video/photo) folders has a different identifying image. I'm just really stumped as to why I can no longer get this feature to behave as it should....?????

I had the same issue as you a few years ago when using vista, the folders on my external hd stopped showing the images i chose via customize,
the funny thing was that when i did an upgrade install to win 7, it started working again and has since, and ive had a new computer since that upgrade install.

I'm really, really hoping that I can avoid another reinstall. This last reinstall (I had a failing hard drive, which was replaced with an SSD) was only 3 weeks ago, & it's taken me since then to get my computer set back up & running the way I'm used to working. Surely, there must be some kind of "tweak" tool...???

try searching for system errors using sfc scan .
follow the tutorial and good luck.
SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker - Windows 7 Forums

This could help. It is used to diagnose and repair File and Folder problems automatically.

Diagnose and repair Windows File and Folder Problems automatically

If this doesn't help, then there are some issues in your registry. This could help you :

Changes to the size, view, icon or position of a folder are lost

Dear Boohbah & Hybrid,

Shortly after our last exchange, my computer started behaving really erratically, & I ended up having to have yet another fresh reinstall of Windows & everything else. I just got it back this week, so I wanted to reply & thank you again for all your suggestions--it was very much appreciated. This latest reinstall seems to have resolved a lot of the issues I described in this thread. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my computer will continue to behave itself!

Thanks again, Regina

PS: Marking this thread as "Solved".