How to Fix the Windows Explorer "Open" Application Toolbar and Context Menu Icon in Windows 7

   Information

This will show you how to fix the Windows Explorer Open application toolbar and context menu icon when you select an application (ex: EXE) file in Windows Explorer to the correct icon in Windows 7.

EXAMPLE: Open application Toolbar and Context Menu icon
NOTE: This is before and after you fix the icon when you have an application (ex: .exe) file selected in Windows Explorer.

Here's How:

1. Click on the Download button below to download the file below.

Application_Icon.zip

Download

2. Click on Save, and save the .zip file to the desktop.

3. Open the Zip file, and extract the Application_Icon.ico file to your desktop.

4. Right click on the extracted Application_Icon.ico file, and click on Properties, General tab, and on the Unblock button. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If you do not have a Unblock button under the General tab, then the file is already unblocked and you can continue on to step 5.

5. Move the downloaded Application_Icon.ico file into the C:\Windows\System32 folder. (see screenshot below)

6. If prompted, click on Continue and Yes to approve moving the .ico file. Afterwards, do either step 7 or 8 below.

7. To Automatically Fix the Icon with a REG File Download

A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.

Fix_Open_Toolbar_Context_Menu_Icon.reg


Download

B) Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the desktop.

C) Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.

D) Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.

E) When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.

F) Go to step 9.

8. To Manually Fix the Icon in Registry Editor
NOTE: This option will also allow you to use a custom icon of your own instead if you like.

A) Open the Start Menu, then type regedit and press Enter.

B) If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

C) In regedit, go to: (see screenshot below step 8D)

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open

D) In the right pane, right click on a empty space and click on New and String Value. (see screenshot below)

E) Type Icon and press enter. (see screenshot below)

F) In the right pane, right click on Icon and click on Modify. (See screenshot below)

G) Copy and Past the location below into the Edit String box and click on OK. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: If you like, you could also enter the full path of a different icon (.ico file) that you would like to use instead with ",-1" (no quotes) at the end like below.

%Windir%\System32\Application_Icon.ico,-1

H) Regedit will now look this. (see screenshot below)

I) Close regedit.

9. If you have not already, close and reopen all Windows Explorer windows to apply.

That's it,
Shawn