How to associate ICO files with XnView but keep their icons visible in Windows Explorer? [SOLVED]

[The Electro Machine]

After associating ICO file with XnView they all started in Windows Explorer and XnView to display in the icon of XnView and not the individual graphic that every of these files is holding. After removing the association with the help of free FileTypesMan by NirSoft, the ICO file returned to the default behavior of showing their graphics

So how can I set XnView to be the organizer / handler of ICO files - but not affect how they are shown in other programs?


I am using XnView 1.01 x64 on Windows 10 Enterprise 20H2 19042.746 x64

[The Electro Machine]

So how can I set this [and possibly any other] program to handle ICO files - but not affect how they are shown in other programs?

I need to see icons when I navigate through folders containing ICO files and not just one and the same [XnView MP] icon for everywhere for every ICO file

[The Electro Machine]

I have a solution - in form of a simple Registry hack:

Code: Select all

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Applications\xnviewmp.exe\DefaultIcon]
@="\"%1\""

Problem solved. But this could be added to XnView a a default feature; i.e. to be be able to associate ICO [and other icorn] files with it, but with a caveat of retaining their looks: viewtopic.php?f=60&t=44786