Windows 7 desktop icons are all links

Have a new windows 7. flying over my photos from the old computer. Some show a picture, so I right click for hopefully display image in an another photo viewer. I chose the windows photo viewer.  All icons on the desktop has changed so that icon and I can't open anything. They are all links

'All icons on the desktop changed to icon and I cannot open anything'. I assume this is the icon of the windows photo viewer?

I think that what's happened is that you used 'open with' on a shortened. You can check by going to control panel > programs > associate a file type or Protocol with a scroll of program LNK partner should say unknown. I suspect now is said however: Photo Viewer.

If so, there are two ways, this can be fixed. The easy way requires editing the registry but then you want to go this route.

1. click on Start Menu, type regedit in start search and press ENTER. Right click on regedit search results and run it as an administrator.

2. navigate to the following registry branch:

NtVersion ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\ [ext]

Replace the [ext] with the real extension of the file you want to restore the file type association to return to the original Windows 7 by default (probably .lnk). If you unsure, simply browse through all the Sub-touche under FileExts.

3. delete the subkey named UserChoice.

4. exit the registry editor.

The second method is a little more work, can't fix it, but does not involve the registry.

Since the default action is caused by the user (as it was accidental) choice, you can be able to restore everything simply by creating a new user account. See if the icons to return to their natural state, then knit. If so, just move all your files and folders and delete the old account. If you use Outlook, you also need to reset where it looks for files of Outlook, but it can be automatic (do not try to start Outlook until what everything is copied on the property). If you use this method, remember to copy the hidden appdata folder. Just show all before you begin the copy.

Tags: Windows

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