Desktop Icons without Text


Recommended Posts

I would suggest changing the first lines in the My Computer.reg from:

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00000000-5000-0000-0000-000000000002}\DefaultIcon]

@="C:\\Windows\\Explorer.exe,0"

to:

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00000000-5000-0000-0000-000000000002}\DefaultIcon]

@="%WINDIR%\\Explorer.exe,0"

As it is right now, it screws up the icon if are on a dual boot machine with Windows not on C:\ or if you changed your WINDOWS folder name.

I have a Windows XP install in D:\WINXP and this fixed the icon.

Thank you for this great mod, i have been using it for a very long time and it only keeps getting better and better!! :)

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 1 month later...

The links work again!

Virtual Plastic has moved to a new server (Plastic forgot to add my domain :pinch: ).

+ Some of the files where blocked due to the large download traffic from the PowerDVD 7 skins.

Thanks for all the "thank yous"! :D

I?m glad to see that they are useful to so many people!:):)

Redllar has created a greafreeu> gui based reg file editor and viewerRegpadb>.

With Regpad, you can view and edit the expandable string values (see the Tutorial for more info):):)

Heres a little program i wrote to make changing the icon easier.

Can be used as a stand-alone program , or via a "Change Icon" entry to the icon's context menu.

It uses the CLSID ( with the brackets ) as a command line and writes the chosen icon selection back to the correct CLSID in the registry.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Enjoy.

Thanks for this great little app!:):)

I do not like winxp,I am using win2000 server . Can I utilize this software?

the settings are too hard.

Yep, should be no problem.

So what exactly is the easiest way to install this mod?

I really would just like the start menu mod that is shown.

I described the easiest way @ post #1.:ermm:m:

I would suggest changing the first lines in the My Computer.reg from:

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00000000-5000-0000-0000-000000000002}\DefaultIcon]

@="C:\\Windows\\Explorer.exe,0"

to:

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00000000-5000-0000-0000-000000000002}\DefaultIcon]

@="%WINDIR%\\Explorer.exe,0"

As it is right now, it screws up the icon if are on a dual boot machine with Windows not on C:\ or if you changed your WINDOWS folder name.

I have a Windows XP install in D:\WINXP and this fixed the icon.

Thank you for this great mod, i have been using it for a very long time and it only keeps getting better and better!!:):)

Missed that one...:pinch:h:

Most of the regs already contain variable paths.:):)

Hey herby , Can you make shortcuts for

  1. Yahoo! Messenger
  2. Nokia PC Suite
  3. Flashget
  4. Windows Live Mail desktop beta
  5. Windows Live Messenger
  6. Windows Media Player 11

Than:):)

I'm very busy atm (I just moved to my new house).

I'll get on it (+ the other requests) asap, meanwhile you can try to create them with SCCU (see post #1).

  • 1 month later...
  • 2 weeks later...

Hello and thank you for the excellent desktop mods!

I am running Windows XP Pro. I installed several icons to my desktop: Foobar2000, Firefox, MS Office. I modified shell32.dll as outlined on the first page. After rebooting, the ?create shortcut? menu item was removed. By coincidence, I happened to run Windows Update later that night. I noticed this morning ?create shortcut? was back in the menu. I am guessing this resulted from updating my system. Has anyone else noticed this? I will be look through the pages of this thread to see if this has already been discussed.

In the final steps of modding shell32.dll, these instructions have me slightly confused:

6) Download and extract Create_Shortcut.zip.
7) Copy CreateShortcut.exe to the Windows or System32 directory and
   merge "Create Shortcut - install.reg" into the registry.

I think the purpose here is to allow restoring/removing ?create shortcut? to the context menu without further mods to shell32.dll. Is this true?

Thank you again for the registry mods and especially for the excellent information. It inspired me to clean up my desktop and simplify my start menu.

post-207128-1172396789.png

In the final steps of modding shell32.dll, these instructions have me slightly confused: Is this true?[/strike]

... I wanted to include \n (newline) characters in my shell icon InfoTips. That is, I wanted to enter them using my custom regedit merge file. (I could manually paste them via regedit, but that's a pain). As far as I can tell, the only way to input x0D values would be using a hex string.

Here is a worksheet (Excel 2000) to generate a list of comma-separated hex values when you enter a text string. The tilde character is used to force line breaks. The following (including continuations) was made using the worksheet:

;  Firefox (default) ~~*  right-click for   *~*  context menu  *
   "InfoTip"=hex(2):20,00,46,00,69,00,72,00,65,00,66,00,6F,00,78,00,20,00,28,00,\
   64,00,65,00,66,00,61,00,75,00,6C,00,74,00,29,00,20,00,0D,00,0D,00,2A,00,\
   20,00,20,00,72,00,69,00,67,00,68,00,74,00,2D,00,63,00,6C,00,69,00,63,00,\
   6B,00,20,00,66,00,6F,00,72,00,20,00,20,00,20,00,2A,00,0D,00,2A,00,20,00,\
   20,00,63,00,6F,00,6E,00,74,00,65,00,78,00,74,00,20,00,6D,00,65,00,6E,00,\
   75,00,20,00,20,00,2A,00

post-207128-1172397098.png

Edited by danny_8
nice work i have to say. but the tuneup is outdated.. if u r free please make one for 2007 version :D that is if u r free!

I'm still pretty busy -> added to the 2do list. :)

In the final steps of modding shell32.dll, these instructions have me slightly confused:
6) Download and extract Create_Shortcut.zip.
7) Copy CreateShortcut.exe to the Windows or System32 directory and
   merge "Create Shortcut - install.reg" into the registry.

I think the purpose here is to allow restoring/removing ?create shortcut? to the context menu without further mods to shell32.dll. Is this true?

It adds "Create Shortcut" to the context menu of all files, you can also skip this part and right click + dragg a file to create a shortcut.

Thank you again for the registry mods and especially for the excellent information. It inspired me to clean up my desktop and simplify my start menu.

That's the goal! :happy:ppy:

I wanted to include \n (newline) characters in my shell icon InfoTips. That is, I wanted to enter them using my cusregedit merge file. (I could manually paste them via regedit, but that's a pain). As far as I can tell, the only way to input x0D values would be using a hex string.

You can view and edit Expandable String Values with Regpad (see first post).

It adds "Create Shortcut" to the context menu of all files, you can also skip this part and right click + dragg a file to create a shortcut
Ah ha! I finally see! You added "Create Shortcut" back to the context menu item for all folders and files, but the previous shell32.dll mod removed it from the context menu for shell icons! (Previously I was, like, why?'s he adding the menu itemback> again?) I struggled to realize this. I was distracted by all the other possibilities. Frankly, I'm delighted to have found neowin.net and this thread. I landed here after google-ing to locate the command syntax for sndvol32.exe.

BTW, I'm using the second method you mentioned, simply right-clicking/dragging to make shortcuts. It occurs to me I could enable "create shortcut" menu items only for specific file types as an alternative (I believe this is possible). Although they're sometimes essential, cluttered/complicated menus irritate me!

One thing I notice after reading ≈80% of this thread: you are very patient and helpful. Props! Thanks for the reminder about RegPad. I??'m checking it out now.

Here is a worksheet (Excel 2000) to generate a list of comma-separated hex values when you enter a text string. It's all done with formulas?there are no macros. This sheet helps me to create Infotips containing line breaks.

I revised the sheet I mentioned a few posts back.

string_convert.zip

It is a little bit hard. Myself, I had to re-read the instructions a few times before they sunk in.

Merging means you double-click on registry files to merge them with your system registry. The first order of business is to download the ACM.zip package which contains the registry files. There are 'add' files to add shell icons, and 'remove' files to remove shell icons (in case you don't like them).

If you have any questions or suggestions, please PM me or Post 'em here.

To the ones who rated this topic: Thanks for the 5 stars! :happy:

[/Herby]

? ACM.zip ( 272 KB )

Go to the first page of this thread. Find the end of the first (rather long) posting. It looks something like thequote -> above.

Find the link to ACM.zip and download that file. If Herby updates the zip file, the new download will still be available at that same location.Don't download ACM_dock.zip, by the way.>

Uncompress ACM.zip. Select one of the .reg files (say, control panel) and merge that with your registry. Click on your desktop and press F5. That is your first shell icon. Right-click on the shell icon and you'll see what all the fuss is about.

The following thread may help to explain shell icon usage:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/s...eptember16.mspx

  • 5 weeks later...

Hi, My name is a Danielle de Sanctis and I am just a Physical Ed professor from the U Mass and all this stuff is new to me because I just began to really learn to use the internet and I have been joining all these random sites. I thought this one looked interesting so I joined it and I joined another because a lot of my female students have eating disorders so I thought it would be a good place to go and learn about them so that I know the signs to look out for. Anyway, with all that said, I have the new Vista on my computer so will these instructions for that the same way? Thanks,

Danielle de Sanctis

Edited by Danielle de Sanctis

@ danny_8: Thanks for your help! :D

Hi, My name is a Danielle de Sanctis and I am just a Physical Ed professor from the U Mass and all this stuff is new to me because I just began to really learn to use the internet and I have been joining all these random sites. I thought this one looked interesting so I joined it and I joined another because a lot of my female students have eating disorders so I thought it would be a good place to go and learn about them so that I know the signs to look out for. Anyway, with all that said, I have the new Vista on my computer so will these instructions for that the same way? Thanks,

Danielle de Sanctis

Hi Danielle, welcome to the internet & Neowin! :)

Neowin is a great community, lots of nice folks here.

Some are stuck in an everlasting puberty, but you got that everywhere.

Anyway,.. no eating disorders at my side (I have ADHD). :D

About the Shell Icons: some CLSIDs changed, but most of them should work fine in Vista.

In Herby's zip file of shell icon samples (see the first page of this thread), one example creates an icon (with no text label) for a folder "My Dump." The name of the file is Add Folder Example.reg. Merging this file with your system registry creates a new shell icon on your desktop.

The icon behaves like a folder, except it can't be deleted or renamed. It has no name, of course. When you click the icon, it opens the folder "My Dump". When you drop a file (or other object) on the icon, it moves the file to "My Dump". The dropping behavior is special, not found in the other samples in Herby's collection.

Does anybody know how to create an equivalent to this folder icon, except using an application? For example, an icon representing notepad, upon which you drop files whereupon they'll be opened using notepad. I experimented with attributes described at this page from virtualplastic.net, but did not have success. That information may not be up-to-date. Suggestions would be welcomed.

  • 2 weeks later...
In Herby's zip file of shell icon samples (see the first page of this thread), one example creates an icon (with no text label) for a folder "My Dump." The name of the file is Add Folder Example.reg. Merging this file with your system registry creates a new shell icon on your desktop.

The icon behaves like a folder, except it can't be deleted or renamed. It has no name, of course. When you click the icon, it opens the folder "My Dump". When you drop a file (or other object) on the icon, it moves the file to "My Dump". The dropping behavior is special, not found in the other samples in Herby's collection.

Does anybody know how to create an equivalent to this folder icon, except using an application? For example, an icon representing notepad, upon which you drop files whereupon they'll be opened using notepad. I experimented with attributes described at this page from virtualplastic.net, but did not have success. That information may not be up-to-date. Suggestions would be welcomed.

Virtual Plastic is where I got the info that allows SCCU to create Shell folder and objects, great source.

  • 1 month later...
This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • Doom: The Dark Ages Revelations expansion gives the Slayer a brutal Chain Spear by Pulasthi Ariyasinghe Last year, id Software released Doom: The Dark Ages as a prequel to its reboot series, offering a look at the legendary Slayer character during an ancient war between Hell and Heaven. Today, at the Xbox Games Showcase, id Software returned with a new announcement that unveiled Doom: The Dark Ages Revelations as its first story expansion. The expansion will see the Slayer being betrayed and cast into a "merciless purgatory only escapable by confronting haunting truths." Somehow, there is one ally in all this chaos seemingly attempting to help our protagonist escape his fate. Players will be ascending this prison and fighting plenty of new demons and abominations as they work to free the Slayer's followers. One new aspect of the expansion will be the Chain Spear. This new weapon is described by the studio as a "uniquely satisfying combat system that rewards mastery with a potent combination of power and mobility." Check out the trailer below to see the new weapon in action, where the Slayer is seen using it to even pin enemies to walls. id Software is also preparing a free update to all owners of Doom: The Dark Ages that will land alongside the new paid expansion. Dubbed the Ripatorium 3.0 update, this will add more customization options, an improved pass code generation system, and preset options for players diving into the game's arena challenge mode. Expansion buyers will also receive additional maps, demons, and new weapons to use in this mode in addition to the story levels. Doom: The Dark Ages Revelations expansion is out on July 7 across PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5 with a $19.99 price tag. Those who own the Premium Edition or the Collector's Bundle will receive the expansion for no extra cost as well.
    • Hyped for this. Replayed the remasters recently and they're so well done, and Crash 4 was great too. I trust this team to deliver.
    • Ninja Theory's new Hellblade game is action-focused and set in Purgatory by Pulasthi Ariyasinghe Ninja Thery has been building its award-winning Hellblade series since 2017, delivering Senua's Sacrifice and Senua's Saga since then. Today at the 2026 Xbox Games Showcase, the studio had a brand-new installment announcement featuring Senua again, but this time, she is in a version of purgatory, and the focus is on the action. Simply named Senua, this new entry is described as a "full-on action-adventure" experience, delivering an expanded focus on combat, puzzle-solving, and freedom of exploration. The developer says that it is keeping the same high production values and storytelling features of the previous games while giving what players have been asking for in the gameplay department. The entirety of Ninja Theory is now working on Senua, giving the project much more manpower than ever before, while also letting the team draw on its action roots from Devil May Cry and prior titles. However, the studio also confirmed that its previously announced Project Mara horror experience is no longer in development. Alongside snappier traversal moves, Senua will be able to take stealth and direct combat routes. She has access to her own sword, plus any enemy weapons as well, with dual wielding also being an option for most dropped melee swords, axes, and other weapons. Outside of melee combat, Senua will be able to use special abilities that let her alter the reality around her. The world is said to be about twice the size of Hellblade 2. While this won't be an open-world experience, the linear story will let players explore their surroundings further than before. The story of Senua will be set after the events of previous Hellblade titles, with our protagonist being stuck in her own version of Purgatory. The series' well-explored psychosis themes will return as well. "She’s trapped between life and death on a quest to reach the afterlife and be reunited with the ones that she’s loved and lost," adds the studio. "Her belief is that by healing the wounds of her life, she can find the peace that is the key that unlocks the gate to the afterlife." Senua is releasing on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PlayStation 5 sometime in 2027.
    • Windows has had it, it's called camera frame server. I recall when it was first introduced in an early Windows 10 release it caused issues and there was a registry entry to disable it. Seems like they disabled it by default at some point. Windows 11 brought that toggle to the settings app (not just registry) a while ago.
  • Recent Achievements

    • Proficient
      Eric Biran went up a rank
      Proficient
    • Dedicated
      Conjor earned a badge
      Dedicated
    • Week One Done
      Windows Guy earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Dedicated
      Mark Spruce earned a badge
      Dedicated
    • Collaborator
      conkir earned a badge
      Collaborator
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      479
    2. 2
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      243
    3. 3
      Steven P.
      72
    4. 4
      +Edouard
      66
    5. 5
      neufuse
      66
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!