How to Re-create Default Icons Deleted from Desktop

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0

SUMMARY

If the default icons are deleted from a Windows NT desktop, they can be recreated with the Registry.

MORE INFORMATION

When a desktop icon is deleted, the registry entry for that icon is also deleted in one section of the Registry (details below). However, the icon information is maintained elsewhere in the Registry (details below) and this information can be copied back to the original location to restore the icons.

RESOLUTION

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious, system-wide problems that may require you to reinstall Windows NT. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

1. Use Regedit.exe to search the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID portion of the registry for the string associated with the icon you want to recreate.

2. Right click on the 32-character number and choose Rename. With the ID number highlighted, press control+insert to copy the text to the clipboard.

3. Locate Hkey_local_machine\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion \explorer\desktop\namespace in the registry and choose Edit\Add Key.

4. Press shift+insert on the keyboard to paste in the 32-character identifier.

5. In the right-hand pane of REGEDIT, double click on the default icon and enter the title to be associated with the desktop icon in the Value data field.

6. Log off to make the changes take effect.

   Icon name               Key value
   --------------------------------------------------------------
   Inbox                   {00020D75-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}
   Recycle Bin             {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}
   The Internet            {FBF23B42-E3F0-101B-8488-00AA003E56F8}
   The Microsoft Network   {00028B00-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}