How to Fix the Same Desktop Icon Error?

This practical guide walks through how to fix the same desktop icon error?, explains the main requirements, and highlights common issues that may appear along the way.

1. The reason why the desktop icon is the same

In this case, all Word files (.Docx), Excel (.Xls/xlss) are turned into icons of Firefox and Notepad and when opening these files, they do not open on default software such as Word, Excel…

Normally, an Icon on the Windows Desktop will be displayed according to the icon of the software that supports that file format (the extension after the '.'). In case Windows incorrectly recognizes the extension, the icons will display according to the icon of the software that Windows forces them to use to open that file. On Windows 10, many people encounter this error when installing new applications and software on the computer.

To solve the problem of the same desktop icon error, you just need to reset the software to open the file, the correct format is complete.

2. How to fix the same desktop icon error

To set the file format to their default software, we have many different ways, but the two ways below are the simplest and most effective.

Method 1: Set the icon directly on the Desktop screen

Step 1: At the main interface of the Desktop screen, you proceed to right-click the file with the same icon, open the wrong default software and select Open With.

Step 2: When the window 'How do you want to open this file?' appears, then search for the correct software that supports that format (in this case, Excel) and check the box 'Always use this app to open… files'. Finally, click OK to finish.

If you don't know what file format to use to open, you can search on Google.

Step 3: For other icons with the same icon, the same desktop icon icon, you also do the same.

In case the Open With… section has an extension, select the Choose anther app item to set up details (picture below).

Then you also set up the same as above: Select the software that supports the file format -> 'Always use this app to open… files' -> OK.

Method 2: Set icons in Windows Settings Settings

Step 1: You proceed to open MenuStart and enter Settings to open settings.

Step 2: When the Settings window appears, enter the keyword 'Default apps' in the search box and select Choose a default app for each type of file.

Step 3: In the Choose default apps by file type window, search for the file formats that are opened in the wrong software and click on them to set to the default open software.

After completion, you will see that all files are reset to the default opening software that will return the original icon.

In this article, Tipsmake has shown you how to fix the same desktop icon error. Have a nice day!