How To Change an Unknown File Type Icon

Each unique file type icon allows the computer user to identify it by its color and design, relating to the application, and double-click it to open and start the application or a file. But if you modify a file type icon, it will show up as an unknown icon and will not open the application or file properly. You can edit the Windows registry yourself, as long as you follow the steps carefully. You can also use Default Programs Editor, freeware and portable software that can change an unknown file type icon for Windows 7, Windows Vista and especially Windows XP without manual changes to the Windows registry.

Things You'll Need

• New Icon File
• Default Programs Editor
• Windows Registry Editor

Instructions

Using Defaults Programs Editor

1. Download the blue link, "Default Programs Editor" from the Defaults Programs Editor's download page to your desktop. Unzip and extract the file, DefaultProgramsEditor.zip, and double-click Default Programs Editor.exe in the unzipped folder. There is no installation involved due to its portable feature.

2. Use your Web browser and go to Iconfinder. Find the proper file type icon that you want to use to fix the unknown file type icon and download it only in ICO format, which is a Microsoft Windows icon. It is the image file format containing one or more bitmap images in different pixel sizes or color depths and a file extension of the icon appropriate for user's Windows settings.

3. Select the first category, "File Type Settings," in the Default Programs Editor window. Click on "Icon" dialog and use the search box in the upper right corner to find your file extension to use to replace the unknown file type icon. It will show a visual of the current icon that you searched.

4. Click the "Browse" button to look for the file type icon you downloaded from IconFinder. Select the icon you want to use to change the unknown file type icon. Uncheck the box, "Infer resource path from icon preview" if you are using a specific ico file. Click the "Save Icon" button.

Using Windows Registry

1. Click on "Start" and scroll to "Run." Type "regedit" or "regedit.exe" in the run dialog box and press the "Ok" button to open your Windows Registry box.

2. Double-click the folder, "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT" in the left pane of the Registry. Scroll down and look for "icofile" in the left panel. Double-click "icofile." You will see two subdirectories below it: "DefaultIcon" and "Shell."

3. Double-click "DefaultIcon" folder. In the right panel, double-click "Default" under the "Name," which opens a dialog box. Make sure the value is default under "Value" at the top. Type in two digits, "%1" in "Value Data" field.

4. Close the Registry window so it will be automatically saved. Restart your computer and check if your unknown file type icon has returned back to its known file type icon.

Tips & Warnings

• When editing your Windows Registry, always backup your registry. Open "My Computer" and choose view, "By Name" and double-click on your "Windows" folder. Hold down the "Control" key to select both "system.dat" and "user.dat" and press "Ctrl + C" to copy. Place that in your external hard drive by pressing, "Ctrl + V" to paste. This is the saved registry on your external hard drive.

References

• The Win Help Online Blog: Using Default Programs Editor to Change File Type Icons in Windows 7 and Windows Vista
• Virtual Plastic: Icons and File Type icons
• Microsoft Support: Incorrect Icons Displayed for .ico Files

Resources

• Default Programs Editor: Download
• IconFinder Search Engine