Change file association icon

[Brianm]

For some stupid reason, when I upgraded VLC, it modified the icon for a
number of associations that it uses to no longer be the yellow cone (the
VLC icon), EVEN THOUGH VLC is still associated to the filetype! For
example, ".avi". VLC *does* open when I double-click the file, but the
icon is the one for Windows Media Player.

So how do I change the file association icon for .avi? If I go to
Control Panel > Default Programs > Set Associations, I can redefine what
program opens for that filetype, but there's no where to only change the
icon. How do I do this?

 

[Don Phillipson]

So how do I change the file association icon for .avi? If I go to
Control Panel > Default Programs > Set Associations, I can redefine what
program opens for that filetype, but there's no where to only change the
icon. How do I do this?

For most data files., changing the app/exe file that opens the
data also alters the icon for the data file.

 

[SC Tom]

For some stupid reason, when I upgraded VLC, it modified the icon for a
number of associations that it uses to no longer be the yellow cone (the
VLC icon), EVEN THOUGH VLC is still associated to the filetype! For
example, ".avi". VLC *does* open when I double-click the file, but the
icon is the one for Windows Media Player.

So how do I change the file association icon for .avi? If I go to
Control Panel > Default Programs > Set Associations, I can redefine what
program opens for that filetype, but there's no where to only change the
icon. How do I do this?

Googling this seems to suggest that this is somewhat harder than back in XP
(which was REALLY simple).
This link suggests a couple of third-party programs:
<http://social.technet.microsoft.com.../thread/b13414e5-abf2-45a5-97c1-a95f62ca984b/>

In case you don't have a MS login account:
File Type Doctor: http://www.creativelement.com/powertools/
Default Programs Editor: http://defaultprogramseditor.com/

I tried some of the suggestions here (another link from the Technet article)
<http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/change-file-type-icon-windows-7-vista/>
but didn't have the success I was looking for.

I haven't tried either of the two programs, so I can't vouch for their
results or ease of use.

 

[Dave \Crash\ Dummy]

For some stupid reason, when I upgraded VLC, it modified the icon for
a number of associations that it uses to no longer be the yellow cone
(the VLC icon), EVEN THOUGH VLC is still associated to the filetype!
For example, ".avi". VLC *does* open when I double-click the file,
but the icon is the one for Windows Media Player.

So how do I change the file association icon for .avi? If I go to
Control Panel > Default Programs > Set Associations, I can redefine
what program opens for that filetype, but there's no where to only
change the icon. How do I do this?

I don't know how to do it without a third party app. I use
File Types Manager for all my associations, icons, etc.
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/file_types_manager.html

 

[...winston]

Is this the file icon you see when looking at avi files while viewing in Explorer in Thumbnail mode ?
- i.e. the icon appears in the lower right corner as opposed to the entire file icon when viewing the list of avi video files (in
Explorer) using the Details or List viewing option.

If so, it can't or you may not be able to change it.



--
....winston
msft mvp consumer apps


"Brianm" wrote in message
For some stupid reason, when I upgraded VLC, it modified the icon for a
number of associations that it uses to no longer be the yellow cone (the
VLC icon), EVEN THOUGH VLC is still associated to the filetype! For
example, ".avi". VLC *does* open when I double-click the file, but the
icon is the one for Windows Media Player.

So how do I change the file association icon for .avi? If I go to
Control Panel > Default Programs > Set Associations, I can redefine what
program opens for that filetype, but there's no where to only change the
icon. How do I do this?

 

[SC Tom]

I don't know how to do it without a third party app. I use
File Types Manager for all my associations, icons, etc.
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/file_types_manager.html

Gosh, I forgot I even had that one. It works great

 

[Robert Baer]

For some stupid reason, when I upgraded VLC, it modified the icon for a
number of associations that it uses to no longer be the yellow cone (the
VLC icon), EVEN THOUGH VLC is still associated to the filetype! For
example, ".avi". VLC *does* open when I double-click the file, but the
icon is the one for Windows Media Player.

So how do I change the file association icon for .avi? If I go to
Control Panel> Default Programs> Set Associations, I can redefine what
program opens for that filetype, but there's no where to only change the
icon. How do I do this?

Start at Control Panel / Folder Options / File Types.
I think that is the route (altho clicking on a file, then Properties
allows the same thing) one can use.
I know that i have changed the icon in one file and all with same
extension "snapped" to the new one.
Don't see wtf i did tho..

 

[Wolf K]

For some stupid reason, when I upgraded VLC, it modified the icon for a
number of associations that it uses to no longer be the yellow cone (the
VLC icon), EVEN THOUGH VLC is still associated to the filetype! For
example, ".avi". VLC *does* open when I double-click the file, but the
icon is the one for Windows Media Player.

So how do I change the file association icon for .avi? If I go to
Control Panel > Default Programs > Set Associations, I can redefine what
program opens for that filetype, but there's no where to only change the
icon. How do I do this?

Try Right Click on file icon >> Open With >> Choose Default Program >>
Tick "Do This For All..." >> select VLC.

HTH

 

[Jim]

Try Right Click on file icon >> Open With >> Choose Default Program >>
Tick "Do This For All..." >> select VLC.

HTH

+1

 

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

+1

Since he's clearly said VLC is associated with the filetype, I'd have
assumed he'd done that.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

To me as an anaesthetist, a doctor whose job it is to keep the engine running
while someone else tries to fix it - Dr Kevin Fong, Radio Times 25 Sept-1 Oct
2010

 

[Wolf K]

Since he's clearly said VLC is associated with the filetype, I'd have
assumed he'd done that.

OP referred to the Control Panel method, which doesn't always stick.

If working with the file's icon doesn't work. I'd go back to Control
Panel. Associate all media types with, say, WMP, close and reboot. Open
Control Panel again and Associate media files with VLC, reboot.

This method of changing flaky settings, then changing them back, has
worked often enough for me to make it worth a try. I don't guarantee it
will work, but IME no one method of fixing Win glitches works every time.

I suspect the no-stick bug is in the way the Control Panel applets
update the registry (or the way a program updates its settings file).
Also, registry changes don't take effect until you reboot. That's also a
reason that reboot solves Windows glitches often enough that many people
trya reboot first.

HTH

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

Also, registry changes don't take effect until you reboot.

For some changes. I have seen evidence of programs that read the
registry when they start.

Unfortunately, at the moment, I can't recall which programs.

Recall that when you change the registry, the change to the registry is
immediate - no saving required - so the question is, when is the data
read by the concerned software.

 

[Wolf K]

For some changes. I have seen evidence of programs that read the
registry when they start.

Unfortunately, at the moment, I can't recall which programs.

Recall that when you change the registry, the change to the registry is
immediate - no saving required - so the question is, when is the data
read by the concerned software.

That's what I meant by "take effect." Didn't know that some progs can
jump the gun. ;-)

 

[Dave \Crash\ Dummy]

That's what I meant by "take effect." Didn't know that some progs can
jump the gun. ;-)

Sometimes you have to reboot for registry changes to take effect.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

Sometimes you have to reboot for registry changes to take effect.

The controversy was that you don't *always* have to do that.