Solved Change default icon on file type

jvbeardsley

New member
I'm trying to figure out a way to change the default icon for a specific file type (ie: change .vbs icon to a custom icon). I've been doing some searching on this forum and I've come across some ways to change default icons but they all seem to involve going through the registry. Is that really the only way to change the default icons on Windows 7? I LOVE 7 so far but that really sucks if thats true. What happened to the screen in the attached image (taken from XP)?
 

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64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
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Thanks for the response, Brink.

In case any one else has this problem and does not want to deal with editing registry keys, I found a great tool that gives you the ability to change the default icon, plus much more. The application is called Creative Element Power Toys located at the link below. It says its for Windows Vista but there is a beta version for Windows 7 available.

Annoyances.org - Edit File Types in Windows Vista
 

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OS
Windows 7
You're welcome. Thank you for posting back with the application. :)
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self built custom
OS
64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
CPU
Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
Memory
64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Sound Card
Integrated
Monitor(s) Displays
2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
Screen Resolution
2560x1440
Hard Drives
1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
PSU
Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
Case
Thermaltake Core P3
Cooling
Corsair Hydro H115i
Keyboard
Logitech wireless K800
Mouse
Logitech MX Master 4
Internet Speed
2 Gb/s Download and 100 Mb/s Upload
Antivirus
Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
Browser
Google Chrome
Other Info
Logitech Z625 speaker system,
Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
Galaxy S23 Plus phone
works great - could not get the registry edit to work for flac files since i have winamp installed - thanks for link to program jvbeardsley
 

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dell optiplex - 2003
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windows7 7600 x86
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itel pentium 4
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3.00 GB
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diamond radion x1050
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SoundMax
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dell 2408wfp dell e172fp
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1920 x 1200 1280 x 1024
Hard Drives
2 - 80 GB internals WD
1 - 01 TB ext
2 - 750 GB ext
1- 500 GB ext
all running on system no problems
Keyboard
old logitech cordless
Mouse
logitech wireless
Internet Speed
16 / 4
Other Info
networked into my sbs2003 server running sp1 still
it's a wonder I could even get windows 7 to connect to it
Thanks for the response, Brink.

In case any one else has this problem and does not want to deal with editing registry keys, I found a great tool that gives you the ability to change the default icon, plus much more. The application is called Creative Element Power Toys located at the link below. It says its for Windows Vista but there is a beta version for Windows 7 available.

Annoyances.org - Edit File Types in Windows Vista

It is not freeware and expires after the trial period. And doesn't work well either in x64 at least.

I have also tried to change the icons by the tutorial mentioned above and all I get is a white-file icon, not the one I want (to replace the ugly 7-zip icons for zip, rar, iso, etc).

Does anyone know of a solution? I am using x64, maybe that's why it's not working.

Thanks in advance.
 
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Samsung R519 Laptop
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Intel Dual Core T4200 2.0 Ghz
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Intel GMA 4500
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1366 x 768
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250 GB
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ADSL 20 MB
i have tried that too. Nothing works. I have Win 7 Home Premium x64.
 

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Hewlet Packard. HP G71 Notebook PC
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium
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Intel Pentium Dual Core T4300
Memory
4 GB
I have managed to change two icons (zip and rar) with TuneUp Utilities (Styler). Unfortunately it only allows to change some very common file types such as avi, mpg jpg, gif, png, html, bmp, etc.

It can be a partial solution for W7 x64. But if anyone knows of a solution for every file type please let us know. I can't understand why Microsoft has eliminated this function in Windows 7.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Samsung R519 Laptop
OS
Win7 Ultimate x64
CPU
Intel Dual Core T4200 2.0 Ghz
Memory
4 GB RAM
Graphics Card(s)
Intel GMA 4500
Screen Resolution
1366 x 768
Hard Drives
250 GB
Internet Speed
ADSL 20 MB
I'm trying to figure out a way to change the default icon for a specific file type (ie: change .vbs icon to a custom icon). I've been doing some searching on this forum and I've come across some ways to change default icons but they all seem to involve going through the registry. Is that really the only way to change the default icons on Windows 7? I LOVE 7 so far but that really sucks if thats true. What happened to the screen in the attached image (taken from XP)?

from my experiencs..u can change .vbs,.rtf etc with iconpackager
Stardock.com - Your Edge In Software
try it..it works!
 

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Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Compaq Presario CQ40 502AU
OS
windows 7 professional x64 bit RTM
Motherboard
Compal 30FE
Memory
4G
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ATI radeon HD 3200
Screen Resolution
1280 x 800
this works in win 7 pro 64: Types


This did the trick, and very well too. Thanks a lot!! So counter-intuitive that they wouldn't have that feature built in like in XP.
 

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Work: Vostro 3500, Personal: Self-built
OS
Windows 7 Pro 32bit, Ultimate x64
CPU
Work: Core i3, Personal: Quad-core 2.5GHz Phenom
Thanks, EVERYBODY!

~~~
 

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HP dv7-2277cl Notebook PC
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium x64 v6.1.7600
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2.26 GHz Intel Core2 Duo Processor P7550, 3MB L2 Cache
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4096MB DDR3 System Memory
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ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650 (M96); 1 GB dedicated memory
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Altec Lansing with SRS Premium Sound and Sub-Woofer
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17.3” HD+ LED BrightView Widescreen Display
Screen Resolution
1600 x 900
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640 GB Western Digital 7200 rpm WD3200BEKT-60F3T1 Dual HDD (320 GB x 2)
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Microsoft eHome MCIR 109 Keyboard
Hi all I have only just seen this thread.I use a free program called Folderico and it works with Windows 7 64 bit. Hope this may help
 

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OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit
Hi all I have only just seen this thread.I use a free program called Folderico and it works with Windows 7 64 bit. Hope this may help

thanks had to get from softpedia as their site says not available in my country

thanks in advance
 
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My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
dell optiplex - 2003
OS
windows7 7600 x86
CPU
itel pentium 4
Memory
3.00 GB
Graphics Card(s)
diamond radion x1050
Sound Card
SoundMax
Monitor(s) Displays
dell 2408wfp dell e172fp
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1200 1280 x 1024
Hard Drives
2 - 80 GB internals WD
1 - 01 TB ext
2 - 750 GB ext
1- 500 GB ext
all running on system no problems
Keyboard
old logitech cordless
Mouse
logitech wireless
Internet Speed
16 / 4
Other Info
networked into my sbs2003 server running sp1 still
it's a wonder I could even get windows 7 to connect to it
DamselFL > Thank you for posting that link to "Types", it works perfectly for me! :) I just reinstalled Win7 Pro x64 and WinAmp v2.8, and for the life of me I couldn't get M3U files to associate with the correct icon. Now it works fine!
 

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HP Compaq 8000 Elite Convertible MiniTower
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?
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WDC WD15EADS-00S2B0 ATA (internal)
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