Generic Icons on Desktop After You Upgrade to Windows 98

ID: Q243779

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows 98
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

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

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys and Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).

To resolve this issue:

  1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.


  2. Locate the following registry key:


    3. 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

Additional query words: flying my

Keywords : kbenv
Version : WINDOWS:
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb


Last Reviewed: October 14, 1999
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