Changing file type icons

[Erin]

For some reason, Windows has my .GIF files using the
Netscape icon, the same one that .HTML files use. It
doesn't open GIFs with Netscape, but with "Windows Picture
and Fax Viewer".

My Windows XP account is not an administrative account; I
have to log into the admin account to change this (via the
"File Types" tab in Folder Options). I made the switch,
and all the GIFs in folders viewed by the admin account now
use the WPFV icon. But, when I logged back into my
account, I found that the Netscape icon still represents them.

My best guess is that what icons are used for what files is
a user-customizable feature, like the desktop background.
The only problem is that I *can't* customize file type
icons from this account. Is there something I can do, or
am I stuck with the Netscape icon on my GIFs forever?

 

[Maureen Goldman]

For some reason, Windows has my .GIF files using the
Netscape icon, the same one that .HTML files use. It
doesn't open GIFs with Netscape, but with "Windows Picture
and Fax Viewer".

My Windows XP account is not an administrative account; I
have to log into the admin account to change this (via the
"File Types" tab in Folder Options). I made the switch,
and all the GIFs in folders viewed by the admin account now
use the WPFV icon. But, when I logged back into my
account, I found that the Netscape icon still represents them.

My best guess is that what icons are used for what files is
a user-customizable feature, like the desktop background.
The only problem is that I *can't* customize file type
icons from this account. Is there something I can do, or
am I stuck with the Netscape icon on my GIFs forever?

Go into the Control Panel \ Folders \ File Types tab
Type G to move down the list.
When you reach Gif Image, click Advanced
You'll see an option to change the icon at the top. Mine was
designated as one of several from shimgvw.dll - you can change to a
different one from that group, or browse to any other icon source.
Just changed mine to a kitten, but I dunno.