Q:  Is there a way to create a batch file which would put a desktop icon onto the desktop which invokes an html page in a web browswer (MSIE) and change the associated icon for that particular desktop item, all in one batch file? Thanks

A: Yes. This is possible. Here are some examples:

--------------------Launches a HTML page---------------
echo [InternetShortcut] >"%userprofile%\desktop\localpage.url"
echo URL=C:\myfile.htm >>"%userprofile%\desktop\localpage.url"
echo IconFile=C:\favicon.ico >>"%userprofile%\desktop\localpage.url"
echo IconIndex=0 >>"%userprofile%\desktop\localpage.url"
------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------Launches a website--------------------
echo [InternetShortcut] >"%userprofile%\desktop\google.url"
echo URL=http://www.google.com/ >>"%userprofile%\desktop\google.url"
echo IconFile=e:\Backups\google.ico  >>"%userprofile%\desktop\google.url"
echo IconIndex=0 >>"%userprofile%\desktop\google.url"
------------------------------------------------------------