Icons do not Display After Moving Programs to Other Partition

[I Am User]

Hello users of Windows Seven Forums! I am User!

I am having a problem which I actually caused myself, and now do not know how to fix.

I will write the short version and the long version.

SHORT VERSION:
What Happened: New PC with HDD and SSD. Windows on SSD. HDD with multiple partitions, later wanted it to be only one. made nw partition, and copy-pasted everything there, including the programs and games.
Consequences: They all work propperly, but icons don't display. Instead, most programs have a white paper icon. Not just those which I moved, also the ones on SSD. Also, when new prog. is installed the also have wrong icon.
How I tried to fix this: I tried properties>change icon.. way, didn't work; tried reinstalling the programs; did something with task manager to clear icon cache (I think); and also tried cleaning/repairing the registry with TuneUp Utilities. Nothing worked.

For details, please read the
LONG VERSION

What happened:
I built myself a computer with an SSD and an HDD in it. On the SSD I got my Windows (7) installed, and on the HDD I made several partitions ('Media', 'Programs', 'Games', 'Stuff'). I also installed some often-used programs on the SSD, but most went to the HDD. Then, I realized that I often have to copy-paste/move files from one partition to another, and since they are separate partitions this takes more time. So, I decided to make one partition for the whole HDD and make folders inside of it for my Media, Games, etc. And so I did, I created a new H:/ partition, moved everything to the appropriate place, removed old partitions, and expanded this one to the whole HDD. How I moved programs: copy-paste. Yes, I just copied the whole 'Program Files' to the new partition. I read somewhere that programs do not hav0+e problems with this, but later realized that whoever wrote that was mistaking.

Consequences:
All the programs and Games that I moved work perfectly, but the icons don't.
Most of my programs now display a 'blank white paper' icon. Not only the ones I copy-pasted, but also some which were on the SSD and stayed there the whole time. ALSO, not only the programs which I installed before the moving, but also now when I install any program, anywhere, it has a blank paper icon.

Like this (Desktop):

Also in Start Menu:

All papers! It's so annoying!

What I noticed afterwards is, that even on the install folder where the original .exe files of these programs are, even the .exe themselves have this paper icon:

How I tried to fix this:
#1:
The first thing I did was right click >Properties>'Shortcut' Tab>Change Icon...
I get this:

The first icon is the default one that should be displayed, so I click on it and click OK. But, the icon on the Desktop/StartMenu/InstallFolder (tried everywhere) still stays the paper icon. The other icons work, but not the first one, the default one.

#2:
I tried reinstalling the program, changing the icon afterwards in the properties, but still nothing.

#3:
I tried something with ending explorer.exe in task manager then giving some command to delete icon cache or something.. I'm not sure; I found it on another forum.

#4:
I tried using TuneUp Utilities to clean/fix my registry, as someone on another forum suggested me to do. I did so, and there was even a special option to fix 'icons not displaying properly', but unfortunately even this did not work for me.

-- Then I started trying the most dumb things, just in case.. like running as admin, running in different compatibility modes..

Help me:
This has been going on for a few months already, and I just couldn't find any solution; and neither could anyone who tried to help me. This is the first time I explain in full detail what the problem is.
What I thought of is that I could reinstall my Windows, and then reinstall all the programs too (which would be a real pain in the butt, because I have a lot of stuff).
But then, a previous problem would motivate me to spend time on reinstalling Windows, and that problem is:
when the guys in the shop were building my comp. they did a messy job. I found a 100MB piece called 'System Reserved' - on my HDD - and Windows is installed on the SSD!
The description of this little 'partition' says: 'Healthy (System, Active, Primary Partition)'. This does not cause any problems, people say, and I only cannot remove my HDD now. But it would be better if it was together with othe Windows stuff on the SSD. But this is not the main problem now.

So please, super please, try to help me solve this, because this is really annoying, especially when I open the wrong program on the Taskbar..

HUGE thanks to anyone who solves this, or at least helps a little bit.

-User

 

[AddRAM]

Try rebuilding the icon cache, then post your results.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/49819-icon-cache-rebuild.html

But you may have to start re installing the programs to get your icons to show up properly.

That is after you un install them and remove every folder and registry setting left behind.

 

[kathy025]

#4:
I tried using TuneUp Utilities to clean/fix my registry, as someone on another forum suggested me to do. I did so, and there was even a special option to fix 'icons not displaying properly', but unfortunately even this did not work for me.

Oh shoot, I was gonna suggest this.

First off, kudos on a well-formatted post/question. Appreciate your tl;dr as well.

I used to rebuild icon cache with IconTweaker all the time. It's an old program, but see if you can get something from it. Good luck!

 

[badger906]

firstly follow the destructions on this page http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/10797-thumbnail-cache-clear-reset.html

if that doesnt work, click start>all programs then right click command prompt and click run as administrator.

At the prompt type:- taskkill /im explorer.exe /f press enter
(Your desktop will go blank)

Now type each line and press enter after each line.
Note the spaces.

CD %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local

attrib -h IconCache.db

del IconCache.db

shutdown/r

 

[I Am User]

Unfortunately..

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/49819-icon-cache-rebuild.html

But you may have to start re installing the programs to get your icons to show up properly.

That is after you un install them and remove every folder and registry setting left behind.

Did that, and cleaned registry, and reinstalled.. no fix

---

IconTweaker

It's 'not available for my version of windows'.. perhaps that thing's too old?
Thanks for trying to help tho.

firstly follow the destructions on this page http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/10797-thumbnail-cache-clear-reset.html

if that doesnt work, click start>all programs then right click command prompt and click run as administrator.

[...]

Tried both, but nope.. thanks

----

I also tried this: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/19449-default-file-type-associations-restore.html

paper icons only appear for .exe files and .zip files. I see all other icons, e.g. .txt lined papers, folder icons, the little image icons beside images, etc.
.. and some rare .exe-s display their icons properly.. (chrome, notepad, my computer..)

hmm.. only the system stuff that comes with the PC is right.. but then, chrome was installed later and it still displays its icon :sarc: -- everything else that is installed separately has paper icons...

I cleaned/fixed my registry twice already, but nothing.
Also, apparently clearing and rebuilding icon cache doesn't help..
Now I'm defragmenting my HDD with TuneUp utilities. I'll see if this helps (don't know why it would).

Thanks to all for replying, and please give more suggestions.. if you have any.
Rep to everyone

 

[I Am User]

Should I do a Repair Install?
This: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

Could this be a problem if I have retail OEM Windows?

 

[I Am User]

Just found this:

BatchIconExtractor:
Batch Icon Extractor - Free download and software reviews - CNET Download.com

It is a way to half-fix my problem. It extracts .ico icon files from a .exe file, which one can then use later in properties>change icon.

But like this I have to change the icon manually for every shortcut I make.

Still, the original .exe files in the installation folder of the program stays a white paper and this I cannot change manually in properties.

... thinking: if I can extract the .ico files from the .exe-s and then use them, it means they exist and work/are not corrupt or whatever! So why can't the shortcuts/.exe-s just use them while they are inside the .exe??

There must be some setting that .exe files use the icons inside themselves.

Last 2 posts are by me.. is anyone else there? Please help

 

[I Am User]

How to make applications use the first icon stored in the .exe file?

Edit: this doesnt make sense after moving to this original thread.. but meh.

This question evolved from my previous thread, which can be found here: http://www.sevenforums.com/general-...ay-after-moving-programs-other-partition.html

For all details about my problem please see that previous thread.

Basically all the .exe files on my PC (except system ones and all those which came with PC) do not use their icons which are stored inside them - instead they just have a blank paper icon (not even the default/general .exe icon).

Like this:

This is also happening for the shortcuts of those .exe-s.
For shortcuts: when going to properties>change icon, all icons will work except the first icon.

The first one doesn't work:

At first I thought these first icons were corrupt, but then I found a tool to extract the icons stored inside an .exe file, and I could later use those icons on the shortcuts. Which means they are not corrupt and can be used, but just the .exe-s and the shortcuts cannot read/use these first/default icons.

My question: How do I make .exe-s (and shortcuts for those .exe-s) use their own icons immediately, without me having to extract them and assign them?

 

[matts6887]

I didnt see it listed; what about doing a system restore? I am assuming you probably already tried that; correct?

 

[AddRAM]

Your whole problem started because you copy and pasted, you can`t do that with programs, they have to be installed properly.

Just bite the bullet and re install windows, you could have been done a long time ago.

It sux, but hey, it`s no big deal.

 

[I Am User]

Alright..

I just thought there would be an easier way.

Edit: But would 'repairing' Windows work instead of complete reinstalation, so that I dont have to lose all the stuff?

 

[AddRAM]

Loose all what stuff ? Start backing everything up, you won`t loose anything.

Could you please post a shot of disk management so we can advise you further.

 

[I Am User]

This?

*If you make a reinstall everything is gone. if you repair install you just repair system stuff and all programs/games/media stay.

 

[kathy025]

Your whole problem started because you copy and pasted, you can`t do that with programs, they have to be installed properly.

As mentioned by AddRAM, copying and pasting Program File folders of installed software cannot be done like you would for normal files. It will break a lot of registries. It is like an "illegal" act so to speak, hence why we have "portable"/stand-alone apps (which you can copy paste without issues).

You can try and repair Windows, but the problem may not only be there, but also in the software you copied and pasted. They can appear to work, but they can have medium-high crash risk due to the illegal transfer.

Unfortunately, it is quite probable the copy-paste broke both the OS and the programs.

 

[AddRAM]

You should really unplug disk 0 and disk 1 and re install windows to the ssd.

And make sure the ssd is plugged into sata port 1 on the motherboard, which should be 6 Gb/s

 

[I Am User]

I realized that copy pasting programs is very dumb, but it was too late..

AddRAM, a piece called 'system reserved' is on my disk 1, and this piece is the 'active' partition. I cant just unplug it.
I should first backup, then uninstall Windows. then unplug disk 0 and 1, leaving only ssd inside, and install windows on that; then put back my backed-up thinks and install programs I had. Right?

(I hate myself). I have max 500GB external HDD to backup to..

I have OEM windows. Could this cause problems? Im installing on same mobo so it's ok, right?

P.S. I never did this.

 

[AddRAM]

Yes you can unplug it.

You are going to re install windows on the ssd.

As long as you can read your key you will have no problems, don`t worry about activating windows yet, you have 30 days.

Install windows on the ssd and come back when you`re done, it should take you 15 minutes.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[kathy025]

Try rebuilding the icon cache, then post your results.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/49819-icon-cache-rebuild.html

But you may have to start re installing the programs to get your icons to show up properly.

That is after you un install them and remove every folder and registry setting left behind.

I just want to confirm the script (.bat) from Option One of the tutorial worked like a charm. Nice!

I came across undefined icons just moments back for two programs (i.e. LINE and Wise Registry Cleaner) and now they're back to normal after running the script.

I must say this topic has just been timely.

Good luck I Am User, hope this forum will be of much support for your issue.

 

[I Am User]

As long as you can read your key you will have no problems, don`t worry about activating windows yet, you have 30 days.

I already activated windows a few months ago.. but i suppose you can activate again.

I'm sorry for making this so long :/ im not on my pc now and just asking about things here from phone. got nothing to do.

Anyway, many thanks for the help, I'll be reinstalling as soon as I get my hands on the PC and I'll report back.

 

[AddRAM]

If you have a COA sticker on your pc, you can use that key code over and over, that`s what it`s there for


Thanks for that Tutorial go out to Brink, Kathy.

He is our leading Extra Terrestrial from a Galaxy Far Far Away