Printer Icons

hardwarefailure

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Sorry if this has been discussed, "search" was not very friendly to me.

How can I assign custom printer icons to each of my printers?

Thanks.
 

My Computer

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Duh?
Its a bit tricky but I know of only one way. Goto
C:\Users\YOURNAME\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Device Metadata\dmrccache\en-US

Where YOURNAME is your user account name. There you will see subfolders corresponding to your installed devices. Within each sub folder you'll see a folder named 'DeviceInformation'. Within that folder is the icon for your device.

You can either replace the icon itself. Or, you can edit the DeviceInfo.xml file and specify a different icon to use.

Let me know if I need to clarify any steps.
 

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My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell Dimension E520
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Windows 7 Ultimate (x86)
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Intel 2.20 Dual Core
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4 GB
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nVidia 9400 GT (512 MB)
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Sigmatel C Major HD
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Disk4mat - you are the man!

Worked perfectly! Well, almost. When I replaced the "default" device.ico with a new icon with the same name, the new device.ico actually changed to the old printer icon. Weird. Maybe something to do with something open. :huh:

At any rate, editing the .xml to a different name, the name of the original new .ico that I moved into the folder, worked like a charm.

Thanks again!
 

My Computer

OS
Duh?
Your welcome! The reason the icon didnt change with the same name is a bug actually that existed in Vista. When the same name is used Windows renders the icon from the icon cache.

But glad you got that working :) and thanks for the rep. Much appreciated.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell Dimension E520
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate (x86)
CPU
Intel 2.20 Dual Core
Memory
4 GB
Graphics Card(s)
nVidia 9400 GT (512 MB)
Sound Card
Sigmatel C Major HD
Monitor(s) Displays
22" Samsung 2232 bw
Screen Resolution
1680x1050
Mouse
Microsoft Arc
Other Info
Wacom Graphire 4 (6x8) Tablet
Same problem

Hello, I am having the same problem, but I can't seem to find my printer in that folder. I just added a wireless printer to my network and when I pull up the CP the old printer that was a HP Deskjet 3940 (small printer) now has the Multifunction printer icon, which should be for the new Epson Workforce printer and the Epson was given the small printer icon of the old HP. I went to the en-us folder as you described, but only found my old printer info there with the MF icon. I could not find my new Epson in there at all. I found: my laptop, my mouse, my old printer, a scandisk, and a generic receiver (I think this is the router?)
Also, if I could find that folder, can you explain just how you go about changing the icon? I noticed you talked about editing the xml. file, but where do I find the other icon to exchange?
Thanks, Meri
 

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Well, to start. You only have to edit the XML file if you want to use an icon located some place else. Otherwise, you ony need replace the existing icon.

Its hard to say which folder will hold the device (your printer) in what folder. It will be one of the ones listed under...

C:\Users\YOURNAME\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Device Metadata\dmrccache\en-US

The Epson should be there. Even if the printer is offline or not connected.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell Dimension E520
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate (x86)
CPU
Intel 2.20 Dual Core
Memory
4 GB
Graphics Card(s)
nVidia 9400 GT (512 MB)
Sound Card
Sigmatel C Major HD
Monitor(s) Displays
22" Samsung 2232 bw
Screen Resolution
1680x1050
Mouse
Microsoft Arc
Other Info
Wacom Graphire 4 (6x8) Tablet
I found 2 entries (folders) at this location.
1. b3004f87-774a-4cc6-9c51-89264da4ed5a for <DeviceCategory>Media.Storage.Flash</DeviceCategory>
2. 63921eef-8415-4368-9201-f0df4af5778f for <DeviceCategory>PrintFax.Printer</DeviceCategory>

Neither of these are for my HP printers. I could find not folders for HP within users or Program Files.
 

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Dell Studio XPS
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i7 CPU Q720 @1.6 GHz
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All Users setup

How do you make the xml changes to affect all users when they log in?
 

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HP
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And what if the AppData folder doesn't show? Where is the folder options option?

Ok, nevermind. I found it.

Now back to the previous question. : )
 

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HP
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Intel E6500
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Integrated
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160GB
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OEM
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And, there are only 4 entries in the en-US folder with 2 having to do with installed printers. THere are 8 printers/copiers installed now. How can one determine which printer/copier icon one is working with?
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP
OS
Win7 Pro x64
CPU
Intel E6500
Motherboard
OEM
Memory
2GB
Graphics Card(s)
Integrated
Sound Card
Integrated
Monitor(s) Displays
1-2
Hard Drives
160GB
PSU
OEM
Case
OEM
Cooling
OEM
Just an FYI for those trying to do this with direct TCP/IP port connected printers: it's doesn't list them here. It only lists printers installed locally and over a network, but not directly to the network card/port of the printer itself.
 

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custom build
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And, there are only 4 entries in the en-US folder with 2 having to do with installed printers. THere are 8 printers/copiers installed now. How can one determine which printer/copier icon one is working with?


Right click on the one you want and set as default printer.
 

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HP M9077c
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ASUSeK
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Does not work

Tried the above, attempts to do the following failed to change icon:

1) changed the XML file to different icon file
2) replace the icon file with different icon as listed in the XML file

Interestingly, the printer is "printfax.printer" and the icon that showed in the folder was not the same icon showing in Windows. Further, it seemed to be the default printer icon from Win7.

Nowhere can I find where that icon comes from. I have 2 printers installed, the other has a custom icon and shows properly.
 

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Windows 98, Windows XP, Windows 7 32bit, Windows 7 64bit
Disk4mat - you are the man!
Thank you very much !!!
 

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Windows 7 Ultimate x64
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More printer Icon issues

Ok, I've done what Disk4Mat suggested and it worked, sort of.
I have multiple printers but only find two printer entries under the dmrccache\en-US subdirectory. If I put in an icon for my laser printer, Win 7 uses that same icon for my HP inkjet printer also. And if I put in an icon for one of my Xerox printer, win 7 uses that icon for a different Xerox printer I have. One printer I have doesn't even have an entry in the subdirectory. So now what? Is there a way to totally create a subdirectory with the correct DeviceInfo data for missing hardware? Of the subdirectories, most are for windows components, only two are for printers and I have 6 printers attached. See photo.
 

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Dell
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Diamond
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Two WD 250 GB
Im pretty sure you would have to point any created folder to the registry. Which off the top of my head I cant remember the key they are stored under.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell Dimension E520
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate (x86)
CPU
Intel 2.20 Dual Core
Memory
4 GB
Graphics Card(s)
nVidia 9400 GT (512 MB)
Sound Card
Sigmatel C Major HD
Monitor(s) Displays
22" Samsung 2232 bw
Screen Resolution
1680x1050
Mouse
Microsoft Arc
Other Info
Wacom Graphire 4 (6x8) Tablet

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