Wrong icon for file type; how to refresh the icons quickly

incorrect icon shown for a file type in windows

Summary: Incorrect icon shown for a file type, desktop shortcut, or taskbar icons in Windows. This article tells you how to fix it.

Recently I received a query wherein the user has installed Foxit Reader. Later, he set accidentally associated the .zip file type with Foxit Reader via the Open with dialog. They got the association problem straightened out by running the .zip association fix from the File association fixes page.

However, the .zip file type was still showing the Foxit Reader icon, although the association settings were correct.

Whenever the file association settings are changed or a new association is created via the registry or script, the system might not be aware of the change. Programs use the SHChangeNotify API call specifying the SHCNE_ASSOCCHANGED event, in order to refresh the icons without requiring a reboot.

This article explains the different ways to quickly refresh the icons in Windows 7, 8, and 10 without rebuilding the Windows icon cache or restarting Windows.Read more

Fix Devices and Printers Folder is Completely Blank in Windows 7

When you open Devices and Printers applet, it may show up as an empty folder although the devices are correctly connected and their drivers are intact. This can be due to several reasons, and the possible causes (with appropriate fixes) are discussed in this post.

We’ve observed that Devices and Printers folder can appear blank if one of these is true:

  • Print Spooler Service is not running
  • Bluetooth Support Service is not running
  • Missing DLL registrations.

Use these steps to resolve the problem.Read more

Protocol HTTP Does Not Have a Registered Program When Opening Internet Shortcuts

http protocol fix default browser

When you double-click an internet shortcut (.URL) file or click on a hyperlink in your mail client, you may encounter the error Unable to open this Internet Shortcut. The protocol “http” does not have a registered program. This is akin to saying “hey! you haven’t configured a web browser as the default“. Now you know where to look for the solution… the “Default Programs” applet.

Read more

How to Determine the Parent Process of a Running Process in Windows?

You may have come across situations where a continuous hard disk activity taking place although your system being in an idle state. If you open Task Manager out of curiosity, you may find several processes starting and exiting of their own without you doing anything. It could be a scheduled backup task, third-party system maintenance program or anything that could be churning your hard disk. It could be even a Malware. But which application or process launches them?Read more

How to Copy the Title and URL of All Open Tabs in Internet Explorer?

When searching about a topic on the internet, one might easily end up opening a couple a dozen web sites in separate tabs. What would you do if you need to copy all those URLs to make a note of them in your document, or send them to a friend? This article explains how to copy the title and URL of all open tabs in Internet Explorer.

We’ve covered how to copy the title and URL of the current tab in article Copy Title and URL Extension for Internet Explorer. But the extension works for the currently active tab only. Rather than copying one URL at a time, here are a couple of smart methods to copy the url & title of all open tabs in Internet Explorer.Read more

How to Increase Windows 7 Desktop Slideshow Transition Animation Duration

The Desktop Slideshow options lets you configure the picture position, picture change interval and turn on or off the shuffle option. Here is another hidden feature in Windows 7 configurable using the Registry Editor, that allows you increase the desktop slideshow transition animation duration. Increase Desktop Slideshow Animation Duration 1. Click Start, type Regedit.exe and … Read more

Fix Services MMC Error “One or more ActiveX controls could not be displayed”

When you open the Services MMC (services.msc), the following errors appear, and the list of services may or may not display after dismissing the error message dialog boxes. One or more ActiveX controls could not be displayed because either: 1) Your current security settings prohibit running ActiveX controls on this page, or 2) You have … Read more

How to Create a Windows Defender Offline Bootable Media

Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper, a tool that was only available as part of Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset (MSDaRT), is now available for separate download. Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Beta (MSSS), a recovery tool that can help you start an infected PC and perform an offline scan to help identify and remove rootkits and other … Read more

How to Open Pinned Site Shortcuts Using Your Default Browser (Registry Hacks)

With the Pinned Sites feature introduced in Internet Explorer 9, you can add your favorite websites to the Taskbar and/or the Start menu. We’ve seen that in article IE9 Lets You Pin Website Shortcuts to the Windows 7 Taskbar. Clicking the Pinned site shortcut opens the website using Internet Explorer, regardless of which browser you’ve … Read more