How to restore Win7 computer icons

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  1. Posts : 55
    Windows 7 H.P. S.P.-1 32bit , Debian Linux 64bit
       #1

    How to restore Win7 computer icons


    I messed up the other day and installed an icon changing program and then uninstalled it. Now the icons when I click on computer from the start menu look like the attached. I tryed restoring the default icons from the desktop, but that didn't work. Is there any way to get all the default icons back that originally came with Win7(including the ones when you click computer)?
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails How to restore Win7 computer icons-capture.jpg  
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 627
    Windows 7 7600.16384 x64
       #2

    What app did you use? Usually it has a restore feature.

    Or just run a system restore to before you changed them.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 55
    Windows 7 H.P. S.P.-1 32bit , Debian Linux 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Unfortunatley I was just messing around and uninstalled the icon program before I restored the icons and since then have saved and restored the backup image of Win7. I plan to do a clean install of win7 when it's released, I am just wondering if there was anything I could do in the mean time without having to reinstall the Win7 RC?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 627
    Windows 7 7600.16384 x64
       #4

    ratronic said:
    Unfortunatley I was just messing around and uninstalled the icon program before I restored the icons and since then have saved and restored the backup image of Win7. I plan to do a clean install of win7 when it's released, I am just wondering if there was anything I could do in the mean time without having to reinstall the Win7 RC?

    Do a system restore, not a reinstall, roll back the changes to before you installed it.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 627
    Windows 7 7600.16384 x64
       #5

    Click
    Start> type "System"
    Choose System Restore
    Choose the restore point to before you installed the app.
    (next time create one before doing anything crazy like repacking the icon dll
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 6,305
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #6

    Hi ratronic, welcome to the forums.

    Your could right-click the affected drive & select 'Restore previous version' so see if it has a shadow copy of the previous icons.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 627
    Windows 7 7600.16384 x64
       #7

    Orbital Shark said:
    Hi ratronic, welcome to the forums.

    Your could right-click the affected drive & select 'Restore previous version' so see if it has a shadow copy of the previous icons.

    aren't the icons located in %SystemRoot%\system32\SHELL32.dll? You are right, he could navigate to that file and see if there is a shadow copy. good call.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 55
    Windows 7 H.P. S.P.-1 32bit , Debian Linux 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Thanks 7echno7im and Orbital Shark, but I have no previous restore points because I have reinstalled to many previous images from Vista and Win7 back and forth and the Win7 image I made was after my screw up with the icon program. That's what I get for screwing around and not being carefull - thanks
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 16,149
    7 X64
       #9

    See if Winbubble can restore the defaults for you.

    Download - UnlockForUs
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 4,573
       #10

    Open the start menu and press
    CTRL+SHIFT+right mouse button
    on an empty space of the menu.

    Select EXIT EXPLORER.

    CTRL+SHIFT+ESC
    opens Task Manager

    File, New Task (Run)
    type CMD
    Press ENTER

    type
    attrib -h %userprofile%\AppData\Local\IconCache.db
    Press ENTER

    type
    del %userprofile%\AppData\Local\IconCache.db
    Press ENTER

    Return to Task Manager
    CTRL+SHIFT+ESC- opens Task Manager
    File, New Task (Run)
    type EXPLORER
    Press ENTER

    This will only correct those icons which the icon program did not alter the registry entry for. A common methodology for icon programs is to insert a call to a new registry section, so this method can be effective. When the app is uninstalled, it does not reset the previous value (does not eliminate the call or "hook" to borrow a term).

    Some icon apps are poorly written and actually alter the pre-defined values. In this case, another step is necessary.

    You can also try Brink's approach.
      My Computer


 
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