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Summary

This article describes how to resolve the problems of visualization of icons, including where icons are not displayed for certain types of files in Windows 7.

Method 1: Delete the cache file

To resolve these problems, remove the file cache with the icons in Windows 7. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Click  Start windows icon, type windows explorer in the search box, and then press the ENTER key.

    type windows explorer in the search box, and then press the ENTER key

  2. On the Tools menu, click Folder options.

    Folder options

  3. On the View tab, select the Show hidden files, folders, and drives check-box, and then click OK.

    Show hidden files, folders, and drives

  4. Return to Windows Explorer, expand Computer in the left pane.

    Computer

  5. Click Local disk (C):, and then open the Users folder.

    Local disk

    Users

  6. Double-click your user name, open the AppData folder, and then open the Local folder.

    AppData

  7. Select the file IconCache.db, and press DELETE on your keyboard. When you are prompted, click Yes. Close all processes and restart the computer.

    IconCache

Method 2: Restore file associations

If the problem persists after you remove the cache file or if the problem occurs because the uninstallation of the program associated with a file type, follow these steps to restore file associations:

  1. Click Start windows icon, click All programs , and then click Default Programs.

    All programs

    Default Programs

  2. Click Associate a file type or protocol with a program.

    Associate a file type or protocol with a program

  3. A list of the different types of files, a brief description and the program configured to open are displayed. In this example, the file type whose icon is missing is the file with the .doc extension. To correct this error, click Change program.

    Change program

  4. In the Open with windows, select the program that corresponds to the list, and then click OK.

    Open with

    Note: If the program you want is not in the "Recommended programs" list, click the arrow in the box Other programs to see other options. If the program still does not appear, click Browse and locate the file you want then click Open.

    Other programs


    Browse

  5. The file type is associated with the selected program, close the window, and the problem is solved.

    The file type is associated with the selected program, close the window, and the problem is solved





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