Icon issues--trust me I've done my research

[Theguyinthehat]

I'm having trouble changing the .MDB file's icon in XP. Now I've searched all sorts of forums and read every answer, and inevitable I hear to go to startup from database utilities, but that changes the window's icon. I am trying to change the database from Access's purple key thing to the company logo, changing the icon of the entire database, so when you open it from C:/, you see it instead of the Access icon. Is this possible, or is it too well-protected? (ahead of time, there is no "change icon" selection in the file's properties).

 

[HiTechCoach]

If I understand you correctly, you are wanting to change the icon used in Windows Explore for the associated application for a file type. In this case it just happens to be an Access database.


If this is correct, this is really not a Access issue at all, but a Windows file association issue. I would recommend searching Windows support forums.

If you are able to change it, note that it will change it for ALL Access database on the PC. I normally just create a shortcut with the dsesired icon.

 

[boblarson]

Sorry, that is something you cannot do. If you need this functionality you will need to use a programming language like C# or VB.

 

[boblarson]

If I understand you correctly, you are wanting to change the icon used in Windows Explore for the associated application for a file type. In this case it just happens to be an Access database.


If this is correct, this is really not a Access issue at all, but a Windows file association issue. I would recommend searching Windows support forums.

However, I think it may not be the case as the icon would then show up for ALL files of that type and not just their "program" which is what I took it to mean.

Perhaps we'll get some clarification.

 

[Theguyinthehat]

I'm trying to just change the icon to the one database (not all *.mdb files)--I do realize this is a Windows issue rather than an Access one. I think I'll have to resort to VB to change it, but I don't know really how I run code outside of access. On older versions of Windows, it was just a matter of going to the file properties, I don't know why they made it so complicated! Its even blocked from the control panel.

 

[Groundrush]

I have a database at work where I changed the icon to a personal one

give us some time to find the files & I'll post it here

 

[boblarson]

I have a database at work where I changed the icon to a personal one

give us some time to find the files & I'll post it here

NOT the database icon which shows up in the TASK bar - the one that shows up next to the FILE in Windows Explorer. I seriously doubt you made that happen.

 

[Scooterbug]

I just checked something out...

I took a database, and change the extention to .abc I then went into Tools --> Folder Options and associated the extension .abc to MS Access. Then went into the Advanced and associated a different Icon to the .abc extension. I was able to open up the database and the icon for the database (In windows explorer) stayed to what I changed it to. Now, I dont know what kind of repercussions the database might have with it having a different extension....so use at your own risk

 

[Atomic Shrimp]

Hide the database away somewhere and only let the users see a shortcut. You can choose whatever icon you like for a shortcut. That's the best you're going to get.

Edited to add:
I was just about to suggest the file extension method, but tried it and couldn't see how to change the icon after making the association. I know Access doesn't seem to care about the extension, but there is a chance it makes some subtle but important difference to some function or other.

 

[boblarson]

I just checked something out...

I took a database, and change the extention to .abc I then went into Tools --> Folder Options and associated the extension .abc to MS Access. Then went into the Advanced and associated a different Icon to the .abc extension. I was able to open up the database and the icon for the database (In windows explorer) stayed to what I changed it to. Now, I dont know what kind of repercussions the database might have with it having a different extension....so use at your own risk

I was trying that too, but I couldn't get to the icon. It may have to do with your network's group policies.

 

[Scooterbug]

Could be...I'm a Domain Admin here.

 

[Groundrush]

This is the batch file that I use at work to create a shortcut & change the icon to a personal one

@ECHO OFF

IF EXIST C:\Simal GOTO :NEXT
MKDIR C:\Simal

:NEXT

XCOPY /S /Y "G:\Simal" "C:\Simal"

CD C:\Simal\Shortcut
SHORTCUT /F:"%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\PMU 2007-2008.lnk" /A:C /I:C:\Simal\Fixit.ico /T:C:\Simal\PMU_07-08.mdb

DEL ¨%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\PMU_Update.bat¨
QUIT

I also use Optimum x which creates, modifies or queries Windows shell links (shortcuts)

 

[boblarson]

This is the batch file that I use at work to create a shortcut & change the icon to a personal one

Key word there is SHORTCUT (not the icon to the program itself). Of course you can change the shortcut icon, but as far as I know the OP was wanting to know about changing the icon for the MDB/ACCDB file itself for ONLY HIS particular mdb/accdb file.

 

[Theguyinthehat]

The only issue with the shortcut is that this database is hosted on a server and accessed by hundreds of computers...that many individual shortcut icon changes is a huge hassle. Buuuuut, I was just trying to change the extension and my access is blocked. Working on it.

 

[Groundrush]

The only issue with the shortcut is that this database is hosted on a server and accessed by hundreds of computers...that many individual shortcut icon changes is a huge hassle. Buuuuut, I was just trying to change the extension and my access is blocked. Working on it.

Mine is also on a server & I have no problems with other users.

I take it that your database is split & that the back end is in the server & your users have a copy of the front end?

IF so then all you have to do is give a copy of the batch file to your users & after running it will have the shortcut created with the icon of your choice.

You can even do it automatically if you decide to update the front end & want it to automatically update all the front end copies.

There is some code that Boblarson created that can do that

http://www.access-programmers.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=111132