Member Avatar for av_3000

This is a rather strange problem. For some reason, none of my HTML files have the internet explorer icon any more, since installing Windows XP Pro. If I double click them, they do open in IE (6 by the way) but the icon is just the default Windows one when no programs are associated.

This is just a superficial problem as it doesn't affect the use of my PC, but is quite annoying sometimes.

Any ideas?

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Dani AI

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Short recap: has HTM/HTML files opening in IE but showing the generic blank-page icon despite trying ’s File Types edit, ’s TweakUI cache rebuild and the icon-cache suggestions from . Those fixes are useful, but when the display icon is being supplied by a shell extension the usual UI tweaks and cache rebuilds won’t stick.

Likely cause and a low-risk first test: Windows supports “icon handlers” (ShellEx\IconHandler) that can override the static DefaultIcon value for a ProgID. If an Office or other shell extension has registered an IconHandler for the htmlfile ProgID, Explorer will ask that handler for icons instead of using iexplore.exe. Inspect (and export first) the registry key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\htmlfile\ShellEx\IconHandler; if present, export the key and temporarily rename or remove it to test whether the IE icon returns. Also check the ProgID DefaultIcon under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\htmlfile and the related CLSID entry under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\<GUID>\OldIcon\htmlfile\DefaultIcon. (Microsoft documents how icon handlers are registered; community reports show removing a broken IconHandler often restores the expected icon.) How icon handlers work. (learn.microsoft.com)

Verify associations and refresh the cache: confirm the extension maps to the html ProgID with assoc .html and inspect the open command with ftype htmlfile (or the ProgID returned by assoc). If the registry/handler change is made, rebuild the XP icon cache manually (IconCache.db in the XP profile at %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data) or delete it while Explorer is stopped so Windows recreates it on restart — Microsoft documents this procedure. and icon cache guidance. (learn.microsoft.com)

If the problem persists: re-register core IE shell DLLs (a Microsoft-recommended step to repair broken IE shell integration) with commands such as regsvr32 urlmon.dll, regsvr32 actxprxy.dll, regsvr32 shdocvw.dll, regsvr32 mshtml.dll, regsvr32 browseui.dll (run from an elevated command prompt), then reboot and retest. If unsure, test changes in a newly created user account first and always export the registry key or create a restore point before editing. [Microsoft re-register DLLs guidance]. (support.microsoft.com)

Suggested order: 1) export and temporarily disable any HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\htmlfile\ShellEx\IconHandler, 2) delete/rebuild IconCache.db, 3) verify assoc/ftype, 4) re-register IE DLLs, 5) run SFC or repair install as a last resort. Export every key before changing it and reboot between steps. (learn.microsoft.com)

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Member Avatar for Dani

What I would do is download and install the free Win XP powertoy called TweakUI from the Microsoft website. It comes with a utility to fix incorrectly associated/missing icons for windows apps.

Member Avatar for Billy

start > control panel > appearanced and themes > folder options > click file types tab > press H until you see HTM and HTML > click advanced button > click change icon button > voila!

Member Avatar for av_3000

Thanks Billy. I tried that though, and changed the icon to the one I wanted, but although the file type screen said the icon had been changed, upon going back to a HTML file, it hadn't affected it.

I'll try that thanks Dani.

Member Avatar for rixius

Or you can get Microangelo's Icon Editor and Rebuild your Icon Cache

When this happened to me, I didn't know about that so I did a clean reformat... that fixed the problem. :P

This comes from too many programs being installed that open files you don't want them to. (Like PSD's to QuickTime) >_<

Member Avatar for av_3000

Erm, I've used Tweak UI to rebuild my icon cache, and it still fails to resolve the problem. I assume rebuilding the icon cache with Microangelo's Icon Editor won't sort it much either. Help?!

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