Icons randomly change to different icons (132668)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Terminal Server Edition SP4
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Terminal Server Edition SP5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Terminal Server Edition SP6
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP1
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP2
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP1
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP2
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP1
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP2
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP2
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP3
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP4
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP6
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP6a
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0 SP4
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0 SP5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0 SP6
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0 SP6a
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP2
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP3
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP4
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP6
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP6a
  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 98
  • Microsoft Windows 95
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 1
  • Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2
This article was previously published under Q132668
Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry. Make sure to back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows registry

SYMPTOMS

Some icons in My Computer, Windows Explorer, on the desktop, or in the Quick Launch toolbar may randomly change.

CAUSE

This behavior may occur if the icon cache is not properly updated.

RESOLUTION

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.
To resolve this behavior, use one or more of the following methods:
  • Press the F5 key to refresh the icons in the current folder.
  • Close and then reopen a window that contains incorrect icons.
  • Restart your computer.
  • Re-create the ShellIconCache file. This file is re-created automatically when you change your display's color depth. Follow these steps to change your display's color depth to a new setting and then change it back to the original setting:
    1. Right-click the desktop and then click Properties.
    2. Click the Settings tab.
    3. Change the color depth from the current setting to a new setting. For example, change from Highest (32 bit) to Lowest (16 bit).
    4. Click Apply, and then click Yes to accept the changes.
    5. Change the color depth back to its original setting.
    6. Click Apply, and then click Yes to accept the changes.
  • Using Registry Editor, add the Max Cached Icons string value with a value data of 2000 to the following registry key, and then restart your computer:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

    If the icons are still incorrect, delete the ShellIconCache file. The Max Cached Icons value data range is between 100 and 4096. The default value is 500.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about this issue, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

133733 Icons displayed incorrectly in Control Panel

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:8/23/2006
Keywords:kbprb kbui KB132668
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