Icon Associations

[inflammable]

I've been searching around, but I'm not sure of what to call what I'd like to do.

I have Context assigned to quite a few different file types now. They all have the same Context icon.

What I'd like to do is to have all these file types still point to Context, but to have different icons.

Most of the answer's I've found, are just how to associate the file type to a different program, not just a different icon.

Is there a way to do this? Without generating multiple copies of Context, and assigning each one a different icon?

Thanks

James

[Hawk]

If I understand you right James, try this;

In Windows Explorer click on 'Tools/Folder Options', then click on the 'File Types' tab.
Select the file type you want to change and click on 'Advanced'. In that window you should see an option to change the icon.

This is using XP.

[inflammable]

Because it went in what looked like the right direction. But, the advanced button isn't there.

It is even referenced on the window.

I'm pretty sure I'm an administrator, as I never had problems doing anything else.

??

The Change just goes to the program association, the restore is for that same thing. Right clicking on the listing just brings up a 'What's This?'

??

Thanks,

James

[Hawk]

That looks like Win 98. Is it?

Here's what mine looks like in XP.

3326
Click on image to view full size

Edit 1: After looking at that window in 98 I see it's not 98.
If you right click on the Start button in the taskbar and select Properties, do you have a check mark in the Classic style option?

Edit 2: My bad. That doesn't have anything to do with the File Types options.
Something in your settings is cutting out the Advanced button but I'm not sure what.
Sorry! Wish I could be of more help.

[inflammable]

It is the classic style. In my eternal battle against the computer doing what it wants to do after an upgrade, I'm holding the familiar ground as much as I can.

When I scrolled up to the generic file types, such as the Audio CD setting at the top, it placed the Advanced button where the Restore button is.

Thanks for what you did help with, Hawk.

James

[Hawk]

I guess it's a particular file type then that hides the Advanced button.
Interesting!

[zbobg]

If you've assigned your association from the program that will handle the file extension (rather than from inside Explorer) the 'Restore' button will be present instead of the 'Advanced' button. If you've used a program to automatically associate certain programs this may also happen.

You CAN get the 'Advanced' button to display. First make good notes of what program data (name, location, command line etc.) is needed for that association. Then press the 'Restore' button to go back to whatever Explorer thinks the standard association should be, by now your 'Advanced' button should be displayed. Now just press the 'Advanced' button and reassign the association and enter the program data you collected above (and of course change your icon).

Finding the data required for the command line can be difficult. The most certain way to obtain the correct data is to use the registry editor and follow the key links from the extension. Once you've found the 'Open' key for that extension you've found all the data you need to properly open that extension. Here you will also find whether that associated program is capable of DDE, if you find a 'ddeexec' subkey you need to make note of its value and use that information when making your new association in the Explorer 'Advanced' dialog. Why do you care about DDE? (One reason is...) A program that is capable of DDE opening files will open the files in a single instance rather than creating a separate instance of that program for every open file, the files will also typically open much faster. Some programs may do this automatically and do not need the extra DDE info. Some programs won't open your file unless your command line is exactly correct, the typical Windows command line may not work so you'll need to find out what is actually needed.

CAUTION: Using the registry editor is dangerous. Do not make changes inside the editor unless you know what you're doing, there is no 'UNDO' command, if you make a mistake you may completely disable a function of Windows or even completely disable Windows. You can set a restore point in Windows before messing about in the registry editor just in case you make a stupid mistake.