Windows XP - Folder problem

nanook

Hope someone can help me, with what I hope is a simple question. For no apparant reason this afternoon, my folder icons have gone (incl. most software icons). In addition, when I double click on a folder, what would previously open the folder, I now get the 'search' facility. I have tried to manual change the icon settings, and the folder default settings, but it just won't take.

Any ideas ... all help greatly appreciated.

Rabies

Did you check your hd and make sure the files/programs you are looking for are still there?
Could some one have moved/deleted files on your computer?

nanook

all files, folders and software applications are still on the computer. Just the actual icons are gone - in their place you have the default icon (i.e. those icons where windows does not recognise the software). In addition, when I double click on a folder, instead of simply opening the folder, it opens the search engine. Have you any ideas what is going on - I just can't figure out whats going on here ...

chopster

Just a thought here could you not try a 'system restore' point to roll back your system to just before this ocurred ? As i know xp has this on by default and automatically creates restore points for you every so often. Found this out by chance while looking at a friend's pc who was having system problems as well.

Capt'n Midnight

Try logging on as a different user in case a profile problem

older versions of powertoys for windows had a fix for this

check folder options / file types - for settings there on the off chance