Solved Icon Customize for the Users folder

[JerryFerreira]

To start: Desktop is XP Pro SP3, notebook is Windows 7 Pro SP1.

I've set up shared folders on both computers without using Homegroup because the desktop is XP Pro and doesn't recognize Homegroup with Win 7. The accessing of shared files is no problem and desktop XP shows the "shared" hand under its shared folders as usual.


Here's an interesting problem. I'm trying to customize Windows 7 Pro so that the "Users" folder shows it's been shared when explorer is in "icon view". As of now, shared folders in Windows 7 show up the same as unshared folders (see attachment User Folder 01.jpg).

When I try to customize the "Users" folder using Properties, Customize, Change Icon..., using the imageres.dll as the icon resource (great icons in this folder) the folder doesn't change. So I worked around this by editing the desktop.ini file (see attachment User Folder 02.jpg) to force it to use the icon I want. Well, now the junction folder "Documents and Settings" has the new icon, but not the "User" folder (see attachment User Folder 03.jpg) .

Has anyone tried this and/or have any suggestions?

 

[Maguscreed]

Perhaps this will give you some direction?
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/80478-desktop-icons-enable-disable-changing.html

 

[JerryFerreira]

No, unfortunately that doesn't help. Thanks for your reply.

 

[Maguscreed]

Yeah sorry that was the wrong link, and now I can't find the one I meant to point you too.
Sorry about that.

 

[Bulldog7]

@JerryFerreira

Rebuild your icon cache should be able to get the custom icon in place if not boot into safe mode
and reboot.

I have manager to unlock "Documents and Settings" folder and take a peek inside.
what really curious me is the "Documents and Settings" and "User" folder are the same. It is a mirror image
If you edit the desktop.ini in "user" folder to change icon, it will change the "Documents and Settings" folder as well
Strange.........but its true


Attached image for your reference.... using the same desktop.ini as your "User Folder 02.jpg" posted.

 

[Maguscreed]

That's just for backwards compatiblity. So you can install older apps.

 

[JerryFerreira]

Thanks Bulldog7 for your reply. I tried rebuilding my icon cache file (iconcache.db) which I've done several times and tried using safe mode.

Still the same as before

And Maguscreed---you're correct. Windows 7 set up the "Documents and Settings" as a junction folder for backward compatability with older programs. When older programs look for the "Documents and Settings" folder, it gets redirected to the "Users" folder.

P.S. The DESKTOP.INI file I edited is in the "Users" folder.

 

[Bulldog7]

I think the reason why the Users folder can't accept the custom icon because of the desktop.ini attributes.
Guess you have created the desktop.ini with notepad and save it. Right click properties desktop.ini go to detail tab
the attributes should be HSA.

H = hide
S = system
A = File ready for archiving.

You need to run command prompt to get "S" attribute into the desktop.ini.
Run command prompt as adminsitrator... cd change dir to the folder you save the desktop.ini and type "attrib +S +H +A desktop.ini" without the quote
Check the properties again if the attribute has change to HSA. Copy and paste it into the User folder.

If you have problem with command prompt, a easier way to get the HSA attribute is to copy out the default desktop.ini created by MS.
change it and paste it back to the User folder.

Hope it work for u now....

 

[JerryFerreira]

Thanks Bulldog7. I checked the attributes and the file is already HSA. I even used the attrib command to make sure that it was set.

Still showing a regular folder for "Users" and a customized folder for the junction folder "Documents and Settings".

:huh:

 

[Bulldog7]

Still no joy..... I have tried it on 2 computer x64 and x86 ( HA & HSA attribute ) both working without a glitch.
If you still have the patience to give it a go.... here is the last resource i have

Browse to a difference icon instead of "169" see whether it works.

if not

Download the attached file.... a desktop.ini with a difference configuration and a icon. Copy the 2 files and paste it
into the Users folder.

Ok that it.....

desktop.ini.rar

 

[JerryFerreira]

Hi Bulldog7,

Tried the different icon, get the different one in the "Documents and Settings" folder, "Users" folder stays the same.

Also tried your file attachment, didn't work.

Thanks so much for your time!

 

[JerryFerreira]

Going to leave it as is

I'm not going to worry about this anymore, so I'm marking this as solved.

Thanks for both your help.

 

[coch]

Actually, the attributes fix was right, but only part of the solution. The desktop.ini file needs to have the H and S attributes (the A attribute is not needed, but won't hurt), but also, the folder in which the desktop.ini file is needs to have the R attribute (not the read only attribute that can be set through Windows Explorer, but the one you set in a Command Prompt window using the attrib +r command on the folder.

 

[JerryFerreira]

YES

coch,

YOU ARE A GENIUS! It worked! Attached is the new result