Shell32.dll Default Icon & IP default Icon

from Stardock Forums
Hi there

Am I correct in my understanding that the default icon provided in IP packages should ideally replace that ugly Shell32 default icon automatically without me having to manually change every single icon that shows it?

If not, what is the purpose of providing a "default icon" in the packages.

I am using Icon Packager Version 3.11.106(x86) build along with Windows XP Home Edition SP2 and I always have to look at that ugly default icon from Shell32.dll.

I am also now using IE7, and even though I have the "Apply Package Icons to Internet Explorer Favourites" box ticked, I still sight the shell32 default icon and yellow folders icon in both the Favourites Menu and the address bar. I have rebuilt the Icon Cache and that doesn't seem to work although I am still not sure what that does technically. It rebuilds the cache but what does that mean exactly. I am not a programmer and some of this language and their processes baffle me.

I really don't understand why the Windows XP builders spent time trying to make the skinning look better than the classic view when they keep implementing such yuccky icons. I am so glad for IconPackager and Windowblinds, except these little problems above.

Can you please help me grow in my understanding? Thanks.

iconpackager
9,468 views 5 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
Ohhhh dear, hold up, Wait

I just found a response to an old question I posted, still figuring out how these things work, lol.   

After viewing My Computer/Tools/Folder Options/File Types, all the default icons have changed. But the visual in iconpackager section "Icons and Cursors" doesn't show the change. Ooops.

So really my only problem is IE7. Sorry about that. Still curious and seeking understanding of this though.   
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
There's a post somewhere mentioning issues with changing icons and the poster said once they took out IE7 (may have been the RC) it starting working.
Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
That's a shame, I like the look of IE7 and its tabbing capability. I'm pretty sure too though that I had the same problem before I installed it.

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
So really my only problem is IE7.


Some things just can't be skinned, i.e. the IE7 tabs. They're hardcoded. Hopefully Stardock's IP development team will find a way through, but I don't believe it's possible as of now.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ok, this is interesting - for me anyway. I have Windows XP Home with two logons, my partners and my own. The other day I am viewing IE7 on my partners logon and notice that he is not getting the horrid default icon, but the nicer new IE7 icons in the address bar and tab area.

So tonight I logon under my logon, now I had not set IE7 as my default browser because I noticed that I didn't get a successful WinCustomize browser page when I clicked on "News/Web Browser", I always had to click "Visit WinCustomize" (which I do anyway sometimes because it opens in the download page and asks me if I want to download something I have already downloaded), anyway, so tonight I said yes set IE7 as my default browser, then I opened IconPackager and clicked "Rebuild the Icon Cache" in settings, and applied my choice of Iconpackage. Whala, I now have the nicer new IE7 icons again in both address bar and tab area.

SO....I don't know if it was changing the default browser or rebuilding the icon cache that worked but it worked. I'm happy again. No more horrid blue, red and white shell32 default icon.

Thought I would share in case anyone was interested and it works for them.