Why can't I change desktop icons for shortcuts to websites?

Question

I have two shortcuts on my desktop for frequently used websites. Whe I first created the shortcuts, I got the usual Firefox icon. (Firefox is my default.) I wanted something a little more flashy, so I downloaded a couple of cool-looking icons that were representative of the nature of the sites. I changed the icons on the shortcuts to the new ones, and all was well until I rebooted a few days later. The icons had changed to the standard IE "blue e" icons. Try as I may, now I can't change the icons at all, no matter what icon file I try to use. That includes any of the Windows OEM icon files. I have three other shortcuts on my desktop, which point to applications. I can still change those icons at will. Running Vista Home Premium on an Inspiron E1405. Anybody know how to fix this?

Answer 1

Hi,

Try setting the shortcut to "read only" after assigning your custom icon.



Or, if these are internet shortcuts, IE may be changing the icons when checking for a Favicon. Creating a shortcut to FireFox which includes the URL will make the shortcut a LNK file and IE should leave it alone. A side effect is that each shortcut will open in a new window.



Find "Firefox.exe" (probably in "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe")

Right-click and drag firefox.exe to the desktop and choose "Create

shortcut." Right-click that shortcut> Properties> Target, modify the Target to include the URL.

Example:

"C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"

becomes

"C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" www.yahoo.com

Note a space between EXE" and www

Rename the shortcut if desired.

Apply the custom icon.

Since it's no longer an Internet Shortcut, it's an .lnk (.LNK) file, IE

should leave the icon alone.



Hope this helps

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.



RE:

Why can't I change desktop icons for shortcuts to websites?

I have two shortcuts on my desktop for frequently used websites. Whe I first created the shortcuts, I got the usual Firefox icon. (Firefox is my default.) I wanted something a little more flashy, so I downloaded a couple of cool-looking icons that were representative of the nature of the sites. I...

Answer 3

you need to download different icons, but some most programs and websites automatically have their own w/o needing to be downloaded

Answer 4

properties>shortcut>change icon works for me, what os are you running?