A hard question about .ico file types that nobody can answer......yet ??

[jacobnero6918]

I need to know what program windows 2000 uses to open Icons. The .ico isn't assioated with any program. To find out go to start>control panel>folder options>File Types>
Now look for the extension .ICO if you don't see it windows 2000 is hiding it.

Click on "new" and try to type ICO then "OK". Since .ICO is already assigned to a program you'll get a warning which will tell you what it is assigned to, this is what I need.

Thanks in advance !

 

[Floyd]

The file structure of an *.ico file is that of a bitmap. Just use paintbrush to open the file. Likewise, you can create a icon in paintbrush, save it, then change the extension to ICO.

[edit] Forgot to mention this works for single-image icon files only, otherwise you'll need a third party viewer like IrfanView. I don't think Windows has a built-in utility for icon manipulation. [/edit]

Best regards,
Floyd

 

[jacobnero6918]

No, that's not what I'm looking for but thanks for trying. I'll explain better, when I open a folder that has alot of icons that I've been collecting it would show the icon next to the file so I didn't need to open it. The problem is that windows 2000 isn't doing this anymore because I accidently deleted the orignal setting. Now all I get is the standard windows replacement icon.


So I need to re-assoiate the .ico with whatever Windows 2000 was open them with next to the file.

 

[Doh!]

When you right-click on the .ico file, does win2k give you an option for "Open with..."? If so, then, you can re-associate .ico files with a graphic program such as paint brush through "Open with..." option. If you don't see such option, then just open any folder, go to tools, folder option, and file type. Scroll down to .ico file and click on "change" and re-associate the file with a graphic program (by finding an .exe file for the graphic program). I hope I understood your problem and provided the appropriate solution. Good luck.

 

[jacobnero6918]

Ok let me clarify further:

I have a icon named this: ((DarthVader.ico))

it doesn't show the little icon next to it unless I re-name it to this: ((DarthVader.ico.exe))


Then the little darth vader head shows next to the file.

So what is Windows 2000 using when it is named .exe ?


Does that explain it better ?

 

[Floyd]

Sorry bud, I know what you're describing. But since I install IrfanView on all my machines, I have no idea what executable Windows uses to preview icons. It's a very fundamental process of Windows to display an icon next to every file in Explorer, so it's hard to imagine that it has been deleted. If I were you, I would try inputting the path to explorer.exe in the file type properties. It can't hurt to try. Sorry I'm not any better help 🙁

[edit] Just tried it myself and the icons were indeed displayed properly in explorer. But I'm not sure this problem has anything to do with file associations, which defines the application used to open a particular file type (unless, as is possible, the icon preview is a transparent secondary effect). [/edit]

Best regards,
Floyd

 

[AndyHui]

Go into the registry;

Make sure that this branch has the following contents:
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.ico]
@="icofile"
"Content Type"="image/x-icon"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.ico\PersistentHandler]
@="{098f2470-bae0-11cd-b579-08002b30bfeb}"

@ is a String value called (Default).

Then go to [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\icofile\DefaultIcon]

Then make sure inside that key is this entry:

String: (Default)
Value: %1

 

[Kroffty]

right click on the exe you want to assaciate the icon with and choose properties. Then go to the program tab at the bottom you will see a button called change icon. browse for your icon and click ok.

 

[jacobnero6918]

It was the registry that was messed up. Thanks AndyHui and thanks to the rest that also helped!