Generic Icons on Desktop After You Upgrade to Windows 98 (243779)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 98
This article was previously published under Q243779
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

After you upgrade your computer from Windows 95 to Windows 98, most or all of the icons on the desktop may be replaced with generic Windows icons.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if you perform the upgrade and Symantec's Norton Utilities is installed.

RESOLUTION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To resolve this issue:
  1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
  2. Locate the following registry key:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex\IconHandler

  3. Right-click the IconHandler key, and then click Delete.

    NOTE: Before you delete the folder, on the Registry menu, click Export Registry File to export a backup copy of the key to your desktop.
  4. Quit Registry Editor.
  5. Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files or Folders.
  6. Find the ShellIconCache file and delete it.

    NOTE: You need to make sure you can view hidden files to see the ShellIconCache file. To view hidden files in Windows 98:
    1. In Windows Explorer on the View menu, click Folder Options.
    2. On the View tab, click Show All Files, and then click OK.
  7. Click Start, click Shut Down, click Restart the computer, and then click Yes.
  8. Restart the computer.
NOTE: You may have to restart the computer twice before the icons are is displayed correctly.

MORE INFORMATION

In most cases, this issue affects the shortcuts on the desktop that point to *.exe files.

REFERENCES

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/20/2004
Keywords:kbenv kbprb KB243779
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.