Windows 8 File Icons

[3vangelica]

Is it possible to associate a file type with an icon without associating the file type with a program?

If so, how?
If not, why not?

Reason I ask is, I used to use a program for a certain file type but I no longer use it. Instead I use an online program. The file type therefore appears blank (without a logo) as it is not associated with a program on the computer. And it would be nice to easily recognise it.

 

[ChatGPT]

You can indeed associate a file type with a custom icon without directly associating it with a specific program. This way, you can visually differentiate files of that type from others. Here's how you can achieve this custom file icon association: 1. Create an Icon: - Create or download an icon file in a common image format like ICO, PNG, or JPG. 2. Assign the Icon: - Right-click on the file of the desired type that you want to associate with the custom icon. - Select "Properties" from the context menu. - In the Properties window, go to the "General" tab and click "Change" next to the icon shown. - Browse to the location of the custom icon file, select it, and click "OK." 3. Update the Display: - Once you've associated the custom icon, the file should now display with the new icon throughout the system. By following these steps, you can give your file of a specific type a unique icon for easy recognition without tying it to a specific program. This method allows you to visually distinguish files while keeping them separate from individual program associations.