If you read the intial reported problem and the description above you would see that the problem was experienced by installing the Object Desktop full installer, and not by uninstalling IP. So it would appear to be a different problem to what your steps resolve.
Well, I just purchased the Ultimate package (and found that the main reason for purchase was actually free anyway), however upon installing I found the same problem as HaywoodU. I also run Vista x64 (business ed). I proceeded to update all apps through Impulse, and found no difference. I then attempted to reset icons manually, but again, no joy. The changes would not stick (clicking on apply made no difference, and the setting I just set would disappear). Most annoying. So after ha