Bug in shortcuts on windows seven? - Change icon not working

[Mark S]

[Note: windows 7 ultimate 64 bits]

For example, when I click "change icon" in the firefox shortcut properties, I get the message "Windows can't find the file %programfiles%\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe.

I think this is because %programfiles% resolves to c:\program files and not to C:\Program Files (x86). The question is, what to do about it?

 

[Brink]

Hello Mark, and welcome to Seven Forums

Does the shortcut work otherwise?

If so, then you should be able to click on OK for the error message, then browse to the correct location of the exe file to be able to select the correct icon.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/53402-shortcut-change-icon.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[bwechner]

Same problem here

This problem seems common as a a simple Google for "Change Icon Windows 64 can't find the file %ProgramFiles%" reveals. Alas a not a single solution have I found yet., and Mark alas no, it is not possible to browse to the correct location of the exe file and select the correct icon and have it stick. That is, I can set the correct icon like this but it's lost immediately and the icon in the Windows task bar is again the generic "not found" icon.

This happens with only one of the programs I'm using of a great many, Sage ACT! but it isn't per se the fault of ACT! given how many others find this happening with other software. It does of course appear to be related to particular thing many software writers have done in past that stopped working on Windows 7 64 bit.

What is clear is that my exe is under C:\Program Files (x86) and whenever I set it to the exe there, and close when I try again I see it's pointing to the same path under C:\Program Files.

Something is awry in the expansion of %AppFolder% according to kraigyb here:

Wrong icon path for shortcuts in 64bit os

and I am guessing individual software vendors can fix it, or Microsoft can fix it with a Windows update but in the mean time is there a work around to help afflicted souls?

 

[lehnerus2000]

Twitchy

Did you reboot your PC after changing the icon?

Occasionally I have experienced something similar to the problem you describe.

I have changed an icon and it appears in the "Properties" window, but the actual icon doesn't change.
Re-checking the "Properties" window, the correct icon is shown.
After a reboot, the icon appears correctly (on my PC).

Example
I have created a batch file that points to a VB script.
The script creates a selection menu for my Firefox Profiles.
It also runs CCleaner when I close Firefox (before returning to the menu).

​

Attaching a shortcut to the Taskbar was a battle.
When I added my custom icon, it wouldn't appear on the Taskbar.
After a reboot it started behaving itself.

Have you tried the "Icon Cache - Rebuild" tutorial?
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/49819-icon-cache-rebuild.html

For example, when I click "change icon" in the firefox shortcut properties, I get the message "Windows can't find the file %programfiles%\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe.

I think this is because %programfiles% resolves to c:\program files and not to C:\Program Files (x86). The question is, what to do about it?

Have you tried reinstalling Firefox?
On my PC, the path shows correctly and the Firefox icon set appears.