MJS__UXlGdK%T39ZC

Hi, 1) Folder icons in Windows XP are referenced within a hidden "DESKTOP.INI" file located within each folder that requires some customization, for example (typical contents): ----- [.ShellClassInfo] IconFile=.\`~`.ico IconIndex=0 InfoTip= Folder description ----- Notice the relative file path I used within the "IconFile=" statement (going back to DOS days) which allows me to keep the icon with the folder when it is moved or copied. The icon: 0.ico is in a sub-folder called: `~` The single dot represents the current directory, (the current path folder whose icon you want to change) A double dot means up-one-directory. 2) Once you create and edit the "desktop.ini" file, you now have to switch the folder's attribute to READ ONLY. This this the tricky and STUPID part. In Windows XP, the READ ONLY attribute for a folder has been re-defined to mean DISPLAY ICON (it no longer has anything to do with write protection) Changing this attribute through RIGHT-CLICK ---> PROPERTIES has no effect on folders. For ordinary files ----> the "R" attribute behaves as expected For folders ----> the "R" attribute triggers the processing of the "DESKTOP.INI file" 3) The big problem is setting the folder's "R" attribute which CANNOT be done through file properties. The only way to explicitly control this flag is from the command prompt, or through a *.BAT file script. Here is a typical batch file that sets up folder icons, this batch file is run from a SUB-FOLDER, which contains the icons you want to use: @echo off echo. echo. echo Creating ICON settings for parent directory ... echo. ATTRIB .. +R > nul: ATTRIB ..\desktop.ini -H -S -R > nul: DEL ..\desktop.ini > nul: echo [.ShellClassInfo] > ..\desktop.ini echo IconFile=.\`~`.ico >> ..\desktop.ini echo IconIndex=0 >> ..\desktop.ini echo InfoTip= 'No Info' >> ..\desktop.ini notepad ..\desktop.ini > nul: ATTRIB ..\desktop.ini +H +S +R > nul: The batch file sets the "R" attribute for the parent folder (..) Unprotects and deletes any existing DESKTOP.INI file creates a generic DESKTOP.INI file and spawns the notepad editor. 4) Note that the DESKTOP.INI file in Windows XP performs many other obsecure and idiotic functions, including setting up special folders and executing arbitrary code the instant that a folder is opened or even select. (Great way to trigger malware) My batch file will reset all that crap. If you want to keep it, edit the INI file manually. 5) Also note that Customising a folder from the (right-click) context menu DOES set this "R" attribute flag implicitly, but this menu option is NOT available for system related folders. 6) The above method of explicitly creating the DESKTOP.INI file and forcing the "R" attribute from a batch file (or the command prompt) works for ALL windows folders, including: "Program Files", "Windows", "System" "Recycle Bin", "System Volume Information" etc. providing you give yourself sufficient priv's to access the folder in the first place. 7) You can also set custom hard drive icons in the registry, for each hard drive create a sub-sub-sub-sub-key in the registry under: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ e.g. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\DriveIcons\C\DefaultIcon HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\DriveIcons\D\DefaultIcon HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\DriveIcons\E\DefaultIcon Then set the default value of type "sz" equal to the icon path. here is a sample registry file that does this automatically, assuming that the icons are on drive E: SetMyIcons.reg: ====== Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\DriveIcons] [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\DriveIcons\A] [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\DriveIcons\A\DefaultIcon] @="E:\\`~`\\Flop003a.ico" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\DriveIcons\C] [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\DriveIcons\C\DefaultIcon] @="E:\\`~`\\BOOT.ICO" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\DriveIcons\D] [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\DriveIcons\D\DefaultIcon] @="E:\\`~`\\HOUSE21.ICO" ======= note that the double backslashes in the *.reg file actually create a single slash in the registry. Finally, for the remaining icons, which you cannot set (or I do not know how to), creat a shortcut: select object, copy, paste short-cut and then change the shortcut icon "right click"---PROPERTIES ... Good luck HD_Icons.reg