InDesign icon on files are generic white box after uninstalling previous version(2019) on Windows 7

[davidfox@charter.net]

I installed InDesign 2020 back in Sep or Oct, when it was released. At that time I did not uninstall InDesign 2019. The other day, I installed in the recent InDesign 2020 update and at that time remembered I had never previously uninstalled the old version. So I did the uninstall. Once uninstalled, all the .indd files now no longer have the Indesign icon. The will still open when double-clicked, so I know that the .indd file extension is associated with InDesign 2020, but no icon.

Interestingly, I did the exact same thing with Photoshop and Illustrator, but no icon problems there -only with InDesign. Any suggestions on how to fix?

{Renamed by MOD}

[Srishti Bali]

Hi David,

Thanks for reaching out. That sounds like a file assotication error. Please make sure that InDesign 2020 is set as default application for .indd, .indt and .idml files.

Please follow the steps shared on this help article (https://helpx.adobe.com/in/x-productkb/global/file-associations-broken-uninstall-applications.html) and let us know if this helps.

Regards,

Srishti

[davidfox@charter.net]

That is not the problem - as mentioned, double clicking on an .indd file opens InDesign. Furthermore,looking at the "Associate a file type with an Application" window, it shows  .indd files associated with InDesign 2020. You can see the generic white icon right there.

Interestingly, .idml and .idap files DO have the InDesign icon - but both.indd and .indt files do not. even though both say they are associated with InDesign 2020.

[davidfox@charter.net]

Also, just realized that I never mentioned I am running Windows 7.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Even if it opens properly, try this:

1. Right-click on INDD file
2. Go to Open With...
3. Go to Choose Other App
4. Select InDesign app (don't double click)
   1. If it doesn't show up, click More Apps...
5. Click Always use this app check box
6. Click OK

Note: terminology may differ for Win 7, but the process is basically the same.

If that doesn't work, check the icon on the app itself (in the Programs folder). If it is blank, uninstall InDesign and re-install it.

[davidfox@charter.net]

That does not work. the indd files are still blank. The InDesign .exe file in the Programs folder DOES have the icon..

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS · Accepted solution]

I would try to uninstall/reinstall InDesign. If that doesn't work, I would look at a regestry cleaner like CCleaner (not to be confused with Adobe's CC Cleaner).

https://www.ccleaner.com/

[Carolyn5CFA]

Thanks! This worked for me. Running WIndows 10.

[maxwithdax]

This thread has some things to consider. 

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign/indesign-file-icons-are-generic-white-box/td-p/10065574

[Srishti Bali]

David, I would like to know if the steps suggested above worked for you, or the issue still persists.
Kindly update the discussion if you need further assistance with it.

Thanks,
Srishti

[davidfox@charter.net]

I have been on vacation, but no the problem is still not resolved. I have not yet tried uninstalling and reinstalling InDesign because of the time need to do that. I will give it a try when I get the chance. However, I see other people who have posted that uninstalling and reinstalling did not fix this issue..

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

You could jump right to the registry cleaner option. However, depending on your internet connection and your admin access, un- and re-installing should be about a 10 minute job.

[Srishti Bali]

I am hopeful that reinstalling the application should fix the issue but before reinstalling InDesign try following these steps an let us know how it goes.

• Check and install if there is any windows update available.
• Check how InDesign works in Safe mode: https://support.microsoft.com/en-in/help/17419/windows-7-advanced-startup-options-safe-mode
• If nothing works, try reinstalling the application.
• If that doesn't help either, we might have resolve this on a live session. In that case, please head here (https://helpx.adobe.com/support.html) and select the chat button in the lower-right corner of the page. We can help troubleshoot faster that way.

Thanks! 

[davidfox@charter.net]

I uninstalled and reinstalled and that fixed the problem. Also, just previously, my company had pushed out a Windows Update to my computer - not sure if that also affected things (but I still had to uninstall and reinstall before the icon came back).Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.

[Srishti Bali]

Thanks for confirming. Give us a shout if you need help with anything else. 

Regards!

[olivia.robin]

Hi,

I've the exact same problem on both Indesign App and Photoshop App ; I've all ready uninstall Indesign (did'nt try with Photoshop) from the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop app but not from the dedicated program on window (I've to call my IT service to do so). It unfortunatly didn't work.

I also tried with my IT responsible to copy the shell folder from :

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Shell to C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe because the Shell folder was absent on that link but it didn't change anything.

PS : My Icon isn't blank but it's like a little indesign icon into a white page - it's basically just an esthetic problem but it's driving me nuts.

Just like Davidfox, I've tried to save an Indesign file .indd into .idml and the icon is normal !

Regard,

[Srishti Bali]

Hi there,

Sorry about this frustration. Could you please check and confirm which is the default application (version) for InDesign files?

Go to Settings > Choose default apps by file type  > Select InDesign 2020

 

Regards,

Srishti

[olivia.robin]

Hi,

In fact that was already the case ... I'd already check that detail ...
The only thing I haven't done was a complete reinstallation of the
program from scratch but I need my IT Responsible for that and I think I
won’t convince him unless I’m sure that’s the only _working _solution
available.

Thx anyway perhaps someone found a solution to that problem.

Also how do I check if my installed version is in 32 or 64 bits because
I read that the 32 bits version could cause that particular problem?


PS : I hope my english is Ok

--
Olivia ROBIN

[Roman36364971usb1 · Accepted solution]

On Windows 10 (InDesign 2024) I fixed the blank white icons by doing the following

1. Opened Default appliations in settings

2. Reset all file associations to Microsoft defaults

3. Checked file associations by file type - .INDD showed it did not have an application installed for it (weird) 

4. Right clicked an InDesign file > properties > change > selected Adobe Indesign 2024 and applied (icons still blank)

5. Checked file associations in settings again and it now showed .INDD was associated with InDesign (but icons still blank)

6. Restarted 'Windows explorer' in Task manager

7. Opened Windows explorer again and icons now showed InDesign icon normally

[Rishabh_Tiwari]

Hi,

Thank you for reaching out and sharing the solution that worked for you. This issue has been reported to our Engineering team, and they are working on a permanent fix. You'll surely see an improvement in future releases. 

Thanks

Rishabh