How to fix Windows 8 default icons messed up by IconPackager

from Stardock Forums

Symptom: default Windows 8 icons look wrong. For example "shield" icon for some .exe files and for unknown files (also for files without extension) etc.

Here's how to fix it:

 

0) backup your registry, just in case (I recommend also to create a restore point)

1) start regedit

2) navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer and expand it

3) find "Shell Icons" key (note: this key does not normally exist in fresh Windows 8 installation, I guess IconPackager adds it)

4) delete it (or rename it if you are not sure)

5) restart your computer

 

And there! It's fixed! You probably won't need to refresh/rebuild icon cache (I didn't had to).

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Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

also, since IP is not supported in Win8; do not install it yet.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

I wasn't sure what's supported in Windows 8 and what not because Stardock's products do not have indication whether or not something is compatible with Windows 8 (or any other OS) or not. There is basically only download button.

 

As far as I know only thing compatible with Windows 8 is beta version of WindowFX (with darkening effect behaving funky sometimes). Fences don't work either... Stardock Central while it's great and I love it, is not really 100% compatible yet (for example if you try to launch installed application from it, it will try to open it 3 times with 2 failing).

 

Message to Stardock: please add Windows compatibility info on download pages and maybe add OS compatibility check & warning messagebox on installation.

 

Eagerly waiting for updates  :drool:

Multiplicity - Control multiple PCs using one keyboard and mouse
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting bytespiller, reply 2
Message to Stardock: please add Windows compatibility info on download pages and maybe add OS compatibility
End of bytespiller's quote

Already there on individual Stardock products.

 

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Exactly... RTM.

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

We are currently evaluating an enhancement to SDC to alert the user if a product is being installed on an unsupported OS.

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Note to others:

In Available Updates and in New Software, a right-click will give you a link to the product page.

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting bytespiller, reply 9
On Fences download page it says IconPackager is compatible with Windows 8: https://www.stardock.com/products/fences/download.asp

See screenshot:

End of bytespiller's quote

 

Figures, so much for reading the writing on the wall eh Stardock.

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting b08maz, reply 9
Figures, so much for reading the writing on the wall eh Stardock.
End of b08maz's quote

A-whole 18 days to notice...Can't pull one over your head now ay?

Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top

As a temporary fix on Windows 8 until they fix their product, I figured this out.

Open: C:\Users\[USERNAME]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer

Replace [USERNAME] with the username you're using.  Delete everything in that directory.  This is the icon cache for Windows Explorer.  After you do that, reapply the theme in IconPackager.

 

Stardock: As this issue has been going on for some time apparently, please fix your product.  On startup, IconPackager should delete the cache in the directory above and delete everything in that directory when you tell it to delete the icon cache.  It's a simple fix and as its more a Windows Explorer issue as its hard wired into it to cache the icons, this might be the only way to make the icons stay themed.  People can turn off icon caching in Explorer, but I don't think it will help.  I haven't tried it yet, though.

Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top

Huge thanks VenusAnnie.. fixed everything. Sad I dont get the answer from Stardock.