How do i prevent Windows Explorer icon from changing by folder

[chacham]

Windows Explorer's icon changes by the folder it is pointing to. That is, on a folder, it shows yellow folder, but on Desktop it shows a desktop, on computer it shows a computer, and so on. Further, even if explorer is already showing an icon, changes folders change the icon. How do i prevent Windows from changing the icon? Or, better yet, just show a simple folder icon no matter what is selected? -- Background: I use the keyboard, starting Explorer via winkey-E and switching to explorer via alt-tab. A yellow folder means explorer. Other icons just don't register (as quickly).

 

[A Guy]

Welcome to Seven Forums chacham. Do you have Explorer pinned to the taskbar? If so, unpin it to proceed, if not, you can unpin it after this process.

Navigate to C:\windows\explorer.exe> Right click explorer.exe> Create shotcut> Right click new shortcut> Properties> Change icon> Browse to the icon of your choice> OK> Apply> OK> Right click the new shortcut> Pin to taskbar

Your icon should now stay the icon you chose. You should be able to unpin the icon and it will stay what you set.

A Guy

 

[chacham]

No, i do not have it pinned. Regardless, i start explorer via winkey+e. Will this work on that too? (I am at home now; it's the computer at the office that uses Windows 7.)

 

[A Guy]

It should work no matter how you open any explorer window. A Guy

 

[chacham]

No difference. Explorer's icon still changes based on the folder selected. On re-reading my post, i see i left out some important details. The icon referred to is the upper left corner of the window, which also shows up when using alt-tab and on the taskbar.

 

[A Guy]

Forgive me, but I am lost. Can you post some screenshots of what you are referring to? I thought you meant the taskbar icon. Pictures are worth...

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html

A Guy

 

[Slartybart]

No difference. Explorer's icon still changes based on the folder selected. On re-reading my post, i see i left out some important details. The icon referred to is the upper left corner of the window, which also shows up when using alt-tab and on the taskbar.

Do you mean these icons?

​

 

[ICIT2LOL]

If this is a work machine are you the admin? if not maybe you will not be able to change it - I cannot even change the speed of the mouse at where I work as I am not an admin.

I am just curious as to why you need to do this as you end up with Explore anyway or not??

 

[chacham]

@SlartyBart, yes, i mean those, except i am using classic Menu and the XP theme. More importantly, those are *also* the same icons that show up when using alt-tab.

@ICit2lol Yes, it is a work machine, and as a developer, i have requested and received admin privileges. The official reason is that i need to install software, which is indeed true. It also allows me to customize my machine.

As a keyboarder, i may open up a few explorer windows to specific folders and alt-tab to them as required. The yellow folder tells me it is explorer, without really thinking. But on a number of occasions i had multiple windows to the desktop, simply because the icon didn't click. (Pun intended.)

I'd like either to stop it from changing, or just change the desktop to use the same icon as normal folders.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

No problems I didn't mean any offence and still don't but there is the odd thread which involves the Enterprise version and personally as I work in a gov dept and know how rigid the senior management can be about who does what in the system myself am cautious about how I answer the queries.
I cannot speak for the rest of the members though, I hope you do understand my reasoning.

 

[chacham]

Heh. No offense taken. I work for a very large company, with a large IT department. Developers have special privileges and can request more from the local manager, which is what i did. No senior managers were hurt during this escalation.

 

[Slartybart]

Take a look through this tutorial and the related tutorials.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/144807-folder-icon-change-default-icon.html

It might not be exactly what you're looking for, but it might get you heading in the right direction. As a developer, I think you'll be able to easily absorb the concepts.

Read through the tutorials first, ask questions before making any modifications.
A member with more experience in this area might have the answer you need.

I tend to leave my machines plain vanilla, so I can't be of any further help with this type of modification.

Good luck,

Bill
.

 

[chacham]

Not a bad idea. But where is the desktop icon located?

 

[Berton]

The icon at the left end of the Address Bar on my Win7 Windows Explorer does change according to what I select whether it's a file or a Folder. It also changes according to which Library I click on, gives an icon representative of what the Folder is. This is a default install of Win7 Ultimate, very little customization and none with Windows Explorer.

The source of the icons mentioned by Slartybart is in C:\Windows\System32, file name is imageres.dll. A Search will usually find many more in different subFolders in C:\Windows. There's also a bunch of icons that come with Windows in %SystemRoot%\system32\SHELL32.dll where the %SystemRoot% part refers to the Windows Folder itself.

 

[chacham]

Do you happen to know where the Desktop icon itself is located? That's a bunch of files which each have a bunch of icons. Hmm.. maybe the registry entry for the desktop will list the file and icon number.

 

[A Guy]

Ahh thanks guys. I have never seen those icons. I don't have any of the themes that came with Windows, only 3rd party themes, so I guess that's why. A Guy

 

[Berton]

You're welcome.

 

[Slartybart]

Ahh thanks guys. I have never seen those icons. I don't have any of the themes that came with Windows, only 3rd party themes, so I guess that's why. A Guy

Perhaps, that's the answer then... what 3rd party themes do you use Bill?

 

[A Guy]

Tell truth, haven't changed off of Black Horizon Xtreme since I installed it Mr. Grim makes the best themes IMHO

Click to enlarge

A Guy