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ParzivalRM
Participating Frequently
August 9, 2010
Answered

Change Ugly adobe file icon

  • August 9, 2010
  • 2 replies
  • 64693 views

I recently uninstalled and reinstalled Adobe Reader (32-bit Windows 7 on HP desktop).  For some reason, I now have a different icon next to my .pdf files.

I no longer have either:

1.  the red icon with the curly white triangle, nor

2.  the white icon with the the curly red triangle, the red bar on top with PDF, and Adobe at the bottom.

(Sorry, I don't seem to be able to post htese icons.)

The icon is now an ugly white rectangle, that has in the middle a tiny red version of icon 1 above.

I can find the icons 1 and 2 in a .dll file at C:\Program Files\Adobe, but I can't even find the current icon in any .exe or .dll file.

I have tried various ways to get the original icon back, but without success.  Does anyone know how to do it?

Interestingly, I did exactly the same uninstall-reinstall on my laptop (also with 32-bit Windows 7), and I now have icon 2.  What's going on?

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Atul_Puri

    Thanks for the feedback.

    We have conveyed your feedback to the relevant Acrobat and Reader teams.

    thanks

    -atul

    2 replies

    A
    Adobe Employee
    Atul_PuriCorrect answer
    Adobe Employee
    October 6, 2018

    Thanks for the feedback.

    We have conveyed your feedback to the relevant Acrobat and Reader teams.

    thanks

    -atul

    pwillener
    pwillener
    Legend
    August 9, 2010

    After you uninstalled Adobe Reader, what do you now have associated with .PDF files (type assoc .pdf in a Command Prompt window)?

    P
    ParzivalRMAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    August 9, 2010

    The answer to typing "assoc .pdf" in the black Command Prompt box is:

    .pdf=AcroExch.Document

    I've never used assoc before, and I don't know what AcroExch means.

    - - - - - - - -

    When I open Control Panel\Programs\Default Programs\Set Associations, the "Current Defalut" for .pdf files is

    Adobe Reader 9.3

    and the icon on the left is the icon I don't like, that is, the ugly whie rectangle containing a tiny red icon.

    Interestingly, just underneath is .pdfxml, also set with Adobe Reader 9.3 as "Current default.  It's icon is con 2 on my list, which I want.

    pwillener
    pwillener
    Legend
    August 9, 2010

    Ok, the file association is correct (AcroExch.Document will point to your Adobe Reader).

    You should be able to change the icon associated with the PDF file type; on Windows Explorer use 'Tools' | 'Folder Options', then tab 'File Types'.  Select the 'PDF' extension, then click 'Advanced'.  Here you can use the 'Change Icon' button.

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