Problem with PDF icon

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Windows 7 Pro, SP1

I have several PDF files on my desktop. They show up with the standard Adobe PDF icon most of the time, but occasionally the icons change to show what looks like the first page of the document (I don’t know why, and I can’t identify that I’ve done anything to make that happen).
If I create a new folder on my desktop, and move (or copy) the PDF files into the new folder, they show up once again with standard Adobe PDF icon. Moving the files back onto my desktop retains the Adobe PDF icon (at least, until the next time it happens, which may be several days or more later, not predictable).

So any idea why this is happening?

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Hi Les,

If you get a new pdf file, what icon shows? then does it changes after opening it? Try it with this pdf. 34838-Make-an-Image-and-Post-it

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Hi, Roderunner.

The icon of the PDF file you sent is the standard Adobe PDF file icon (image attached). It opens correctly, and after closing, the icon remains the same.

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OK, it gets stranger.

Shortly after posting my previous reply (just a few minutes), the icon changed to a picture of the first page of the file (see attachment). I created a new folder, and dragged the file into it. The icon changed to the standard Adobe PDF icon (as seen in the attachment in my previous reply). Dragging the file back to my desktop, the icon reverted back to the first page image (again, as shown in the attachment to this reply).

So I did some experimenting. Once again, I dragged the file into the new folder I had created, and, once again, the icon changed to the standard Adobe PDF icon.
When the folder view was set as Extra Large Icons, Large Icons, Small Icons, List, or Details, the file icon showed as the standard Adobe PDF icon. When the folder view was set as Medium Icons, Tiles, or Content, the file icon changed to the first page of the document.

Meanwhile, back at the desktop…

I drag the file onto the desktop again, and it shows the first page icon. BUT.. I have other PDF files on my desktop that show the standard Adobe PDF icon. What gives?

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OK, it gets stranger.

Shortly after posting my previous reply (just a few minutes), the icon changed to a picture of the first page of the file (see attachment). I created a new folder, and dragged the file into it. The icon changed to the standard Adobe PDF icon (as seen in the attachment in my previous reply). Dragging the file back to my desktop, the icon reverted back to the first page image (again, as shown in the attachment to this reply).

So I did some experimenting. Once again, I dragged the file into the new folder I had created, and, once again, the icon changed to the standard Adobe PDF icon.
When the folder view was set as Extra Large Icons, Large Icons, Small Icons, List, or Details, the file icon showed as the standard Adobe PDF icon. When the folder view was set as Medium Icons, Tiles, or Content, the file icon changed to the first page of the document.

Meanwhile, back at the desktop…

I drag the file onto the desktop again, and it shows the first page icon. BUT.. I have other PDF files on my desktop that show the standard Adobe PDF icon. What gives?

That’s normal behavior for the latest version. A single pdf file will use the image of the first page for its icon with a small Adobe icon in the lower right corner (if you have “Display file icon on thumbnails” checked in Folder Options View tab). Pdf files in folders just show the Adobe icon.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

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bbearren, that’s not how it’s working on my computer. Since I re-installed Reader (and have not had this problem since), all my PDF documents show the standard Adobe Reader icon, even though I have indeed checked “Display file icon on thumbnails”.

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Additional info:
I think the problem is linked to Adobe ARM. Whenever I update Adobe Reader, Adobe ARM is added to my startup files. Apparently, after deleting this from startup (using MSConfig or Startup CPL), the desktop icons revert back to the standard Adobe Reader icon.
Have not done enough testing yet to confirm this is the cause of the icons changing, but it looks promising.

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Les,

unless you specifically need adobe reader, I would remove it, as it’s signature is large as you will see in ‘Programs and Features’ This is what I use. http://portableapps.com/node/21646

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I’ve never had a problem with Adobe Reader before. I wasn’t sure whether this problem was associated with the latest version of Reader, or with Win 7, which, in my opinion, has a flaky Folder View function (compared to XP) that I never fully understood.
In any case, I uninstalled Adobe Reader and downloaded and re-installed it, and so far, so good.

I will have a look at the viewer you suggested. Thanks.

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Good luck Les.

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@Les,

Try this:

Opened Windows Explorer -> Tools -> Folder Options

Go to the View tab

Check “Always show icons, never thumbnails”

Hit Apply

Joe

--Joe

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Hi, Joe.

The problem here is that when I follow your suggestion (I’ve already tried it), I lose the ability to see which folders on my desktop have files in them (a feature I particularly like). Oddly enough, while leaving “Always show icons, never thumbnails” unchecked, I cannot see which nested folders have files in them.
As I said in my previous reply, I don’t fully understand how the Folder View options work in Win 7. Why can’t I have my cake and eat it too?

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Have you perhaps tried a different PDF reader to see what happens. Foxit Reader is easy to install and uninstall afterward. So isn’t PDF-Xchange Viewer (which I use). In my case I completely uninstalled Adobe, and installed a 3rd party reader of my choice. I found these were less resource intensive and more secure than the Adobe product. Perhaps going this route might fix whatever is causing the icon change, even if you decide to reinstall Adobe after trying a different product.

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Hi, Medico, thanks for your input.

Just to be clear, I have no brand loyalty to Adobe, but I haven’t had any problems since deleting and re-installing Adobe PDF Reader. However, if the problem recurs, I would consider using another PDF viewer, although I looked at PDF Xchange Viewer (at the link provided by Roderunner) and decided that it does more than I need or want. I vaguely recall trying Foxit on my old XP system, but I uninstalled it for some reason (can’t remember why, now). What I don’t need (or want) are any bells and whistles on a PDF reader – just something simple that reads PDF files and does nothing else. I don’t believe the two recommended programs fit that description.

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I actually do use PDF-Xchange Viewer, and it is a relatively simple and easy to use, light on resource usage, PDF reader. I have and do still recommend it. I also did not get along well with Foxit Reader. Many others have had good results with it. Another I have heard a lot about is Nitro Reader.

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We have tried all the “popular” Reader alternatives and have ended up going back to Reader. At one time or another we had problems with printing documents no matter what alternative we tried that we never had with Reader. The files we had problems printing contained a fair amount of graphics. You may not have a printing problem.

Joe

--Joe

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Medico, thanks, that’s good info. I’ll try that first if Reader gives me any more problems (although I’m leaning towards Windows as the culprit here – I just don’t understand or have confidence in their Folder View algorithms).

Joe, that’s interesting. I hadn’t even considered printing problems, since I haven’t had any with the later versions of Reader (although some of the earlier versions I’ve used occasionally printed some text as gibberish). That would be worse than an icon issue, for sure.

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We have tried all the “popular” Reader alternatives and have ended up going back to Reader. At one time or another we had problems with printing documents no matter what alternative we tried that we never had with Reader. The files we had problems printing contained a fair amount of graphics. You may not have a printing problem.

Joe

NitroPDF adds its own “print to pdf” printer to Windows. Also, under Windows xP, Windows 7 and Windows 8, I have not experienced printing issues with my Epson CX3800 Series All In One. Your mileage may vary.

-- rc primak

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Bob, I don’t think Joe was referring to printing to PDF. I already have PDF995 on my computer to allow me to do that (it was installed as part of the H&R Block tax software, but is available as a standalone program, I believe), and it works well.
I also recall looking at NitroPDF to use on my old XP machine, and I decided against it (again, for reasons I can’t remember now). But it’ll be on my short list in case Reader acts up again (this thread might have scared it into submission, since it hasn’t acted up since I re-installed it).
Thanks for the info.

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I was talking about actually printing a PDF file not creating a PDF file by using a “print to pdf” driver. NitroPDF was one of the programs that was problematic. It may be OK now. YMMV.

Joe

--Joe

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