All my icons changed, need help ASAP

[UnknownEngineer]

So ill tell you my story. Note i am using win 7 and typing this from a different computer.

I noticed how adobe readers icon in the task-bar appeared like it was a Gimp file, in my moment of genius I decided that I might fix this by using the "open with feature".

I opened the search in the windows quick menu (I can't remember the correct name for it) and typed in the programs name abdoe.

I looked at the launch icon and noticed that it had the same INCORRECT icon. Instead of using the adobe icon it used the gimp icon. As if it was a file that was supposed to be opened with gimp. I went to "open with" and changed the program to abdoe reader. (I know I am a genius of the moment)

Next thing I know all the shortcuts on my desktop have the same icon as a PDF and the names end with ".lnk".

 

I tried fixing this by repeating the process and changing the program to explorer.exe (I though that it would revert it to default)

 

This only made it worse, now my CPU is at a steady 100% caused my multiple exploreer.exe's eating up the CPU.

Also all the icons are now for explorer exe.

 

Is there a way to change this back, considering how it was fucked up with just a few clicks it should also be fixed the same way.

 

I knew windows was bad, but I never though that something like this was possible.

 

I already tried restarting (I do that only when I am completely defeated by a problem)

 

 

TL:DR (I have no idea why you are here if you need this)

All shortcuts are now opened with explorer.exe as default and explorer.exe is hoggin my CPU. how do I fix this. also the names of all the shortcuts now end with ".lnk"

[William12h]

System restore? 

[Arty]

In this order Reboot? then Restore?, if that fails do a update install from usb install or disc

[UnknownEngineer]

System restore? 

 

In this order Reboot? then Restore?, if that fails do a update install from usb install or disc

Reboot didn't change a thing, it just continues where it left off as if nothing ever happened. Such a great feature to have.

As I am such a great genius I turned disabled that feature, I was informed that it can be really bad for SSD's. I was too lazy to have it moved to the HDD.

 

I simply wish to know if there is a way to set a certain file type to NOT be opened by a certain program. This is an issue that only affects shortcuts, and performance.... 

If there is no way the I will simply have to start taking advice on re-installing. Is there a way to restore entire steam libraries? I think I should be able to save all the data on my HDD at the very least.

[Tsuki]

go into C:\Users\YourUser\AppData\Local  make sure show hidden items is enabled.  delete IconCache.db   then restart your computer.

it should create a new uncorrupted IconCache.db and hopefully that should fix your issue

[UnknownEngineer]

go into C:\Users\YourUser\AppData\Local  make sure show hidden items is enabled.  delete IconCache.db   then restart your computer.

it should create a new uncorrupted IconCache.db and hopefully that should fix your issue

Nope still just as bad. This is something to do with default programs. Also. It changed all the shorcut files into .lnk (LNK) files. It is getting late, I hope there will be allot to read here when I get back. Hopefully that spammer didn't make this topic go completely under the radar.

[Arty]

Reboot didn't change a thing, it just continues where it left off as if nothing ever happened. Such a great feature to have.

As I am such a great genius I turned disabled that feature, I was informed that it can be really bad for SSD's. I was too lazy to have it moved to the HDD.

 

I simply wish to know if there is a way to set a certain file type to NOT be opened by a certain program. This is an issue that only affects shortcuts, and performance.... 

If there is no way the I will simply have to start taking advice on re-installing. Is there a way to restore entire steam libraries? I think I should be able to save all the data on my HDD at the very least.

System restore is not bad, and nor can u move to hdd, do you have another rig that u can pop the ssd into to copy your data? after that wipe and install.

[Stefan Becker]

Before I read anything, I thought you had been "caged".

 

Also, what they said. I have no clue

[UnknownEngineer]

System restore is not bad, and nor can u move to hdd, do you have another rig that u can pop the ssd into to copy your data? after that wipe and install.

I installed Zorin to a USB in school, currently using that to copy the neccecary things.

I am only going to format the SSD so there isn't a whole lot to backup, after I have all that I need from my SSD I will reinstall Win 7.

Is there seriously no way to recover from this? I did so little and managed to cause so much.

 

This will mark the second time I have ever reinstalled Win 7, and the first time it was mandatory because if an error.  I still would like to know more about what actually happened, more to the point, why did I have -what appeared to be- hundreds of instances of "explorer.exe" running constantly. What were they doing, what the hell is an .lnk file, and why am I unable to undo the mistake I made in WIN 7's settings. (I couldn't find the correct file type when I was scanning trough file-types and the assosiated programs)

 

(I am going to hate downloading and reinstalling BF4, atleast I can take comfort in the fact that it is the largest task for me at the moment)

 

 

Before I read anything, I thought you had been "caged".

 

Also, what they said. I have no clue

I am a little baffled as to why you would comment if you cannot assist. If one doesn't have any valuable input then he should move to the next topic.

[Stefan Becker]

I am a little baffled as to why you would comment if you cannot assist. If one doesn't have any valuable input then he should move to the next topic.

I did not mean to post that. i was on my phone, and you know, things sometimes does not go as you would like, when you're on your phone...