Windows 7: Office 2010 Office File Type Descriptions & Icons Incorrect

Okay, I've never posted on anything like this before so bear with me please. I've got an issue and it's driving me nuts because I can't resolve it. I'll try and give a description of what I did. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I purchased a new Dell computer (Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit) that came with a trial version of Office 2010. I had previously purchased an Office 2010 Pro so I wanted to install the full version on my computer. When I did, I had both versions installed, so I uninstalled the trial version. That's when I think my problem arose, but I can't say for sure that it didn't exist before that because I hadn't even looked.

Here's the problem:
When I'm in Windows Explorer looking at my files, my Excel and Word files (.doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx) show up with an improper file type description. Instead of saying "Microsoft Word Document" or "Microsoft Excel 1997-2003 Worksheet" (or whatever they're supposed to say) the simply say "DOCX File" or "XLS File". Not only that, but the icons don't look right either. They sort of look right, but they're smaller and sort of greyed out (Except the .docx icon is just a white page with lines object).

The strange thing is, is that ALL my other Office files show up with correct descriptions and icons etc. (.ppt, .pptx, .csv....etc - ALL of them!)

What I've tried to fix it:
I uninstalled all Office Products and then reinstalled Office 2010.

I tried MS's little bug finder program that popped up on their website.

I've tried associating the Word files with WordPad and then back to Word.

It seems like there was more things I've tried, but that is all I remember right now. I've attached a screen shot of one of my folders so you can see what I mean. If anyone has a similar problem, or knows how to fix it, please let me know! Thanks!




[I forgot to mention, when I select any of the problem file types, they still open in the correct default program without any prompting...if that matters at all]

Hi,

Welcome to SevenForums.

If you right-click on one of your Word documents and choose properties, does the icon look correct in that panel? Like this:

Regards,
Golden

no it is not correct...it still just looks like the white page with lines

OK. And if you click the Change button on that panel and then associate with Word, it still looks the same?

It is already associated with Word, but I have tried changing it and switching it back and it still looks the same.

OK. The only thing that springs to mind is that the icon cache may be corrupted. In the absence of any other suggestions, you can rebuild the icon cache using this very simple tutorial:

Icon Cache - Rebuild

Post back here so we know if it works or not.

Regards,
Golden

tried running rebuilding the icon cache...no dice...same problems still exist

Mmmm. Odd.....I need to give this some more thought. Perhaps someone else might have some suggestions in the mean time.

Hi,

I haven't been able to think of a solution yet, so am going to request more help for you.

Regards,
Golden

I would really appreciate that. Thank you very much.