The Guy from Outer Space

Q: How to fix folder icon issue on Mac?

I was on my Mac and needed to create a new folder, so I right-clicked and selected "New Folder". When the new folder appeared, the icon was a piece of white paper with the right corner folded down. I restarted my computer and when I logged back on, all of my folders had the piece of paper as the icon (except the ones with which I had previously changed the icon)! The folders still open up properly and there is no other problem with my computer, but it is just annoying to have that as my folder icon and I would rather not have to change the icon of any folder I create and all the ones already there by right-clicking and selecting "Get Info" and dragging a new icon there.

 

I have already...

 

1. Tried Restarting

2. Repaired Macintosh HD

3. Checked to make sure the "/System/Library/CoreServices/CoreTypes.bundle/Contents/Resources/GenericFolder Icon.icns" image was correct.

 

13-inch MacBook Pro retina running OS X Mavericks 10.9.4

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mavericks (10.9.4)

Posted on Jul 22, 2014 4:12 PM

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Q: How to fix folder icon issue on Mac?

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  • by dianeoforegon,Helpful

    dianeoforegon dianeoforegon Jul 22, 2014 4:40 PM in response to The Guy from Outer Space
    Level 5 (5,753 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 22, 2014 4:40 PM in response to The Guy from Outer Space

    Is this the icon you are seeing? If yes, this is the icon for the Documents folder. I'm not sure how you got this custom icon since it only shows up when you drag the Documents folder to the Toolbar.

    documents.png

     

    To change a folder icon back to the original, do a Get Info on the folder. Click on the image in the top of the Get Info window. You'll see a blue line around the icon showing it's selected. Use  Command-X to remove. This will revert to the default icon.

     

    Just to confirm, you are seeing this on all new folders you create? I'm not sure what file is corrupt. You can try running the combo updater but not sure it will fix the problem. It won't hurt so worth a shot.

     

    OS X Mavericks 10.9.4 Update (Combo)

    http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1755

    Post Date: Jun 30, 2014

    File Size: 958.2 MB

     

    MORE INFO ON WHY RUNNING COMBO FIXES ISSUES

     

    Apple updates available from the Software Update application are incremental updates. Delta updates are also incremental updates and are available from Apple Downloads (software updates are generally smaller than delta updates). The Combo updates contain all incremental updates and will update files that could have become corrupted.

     

    Combo updaters will install on the same version as they're applying--no need to roll back or do a clean install.

     

    "Delta" updaters can only take you from one version to the next. For example: 10.9.3 to 10.9.4. If somehow the 10.9.3 is missing something it should have, and that something isn't changed between 10.9.3 and 10.9.4 it will still be stale after the delta update.

  • by The Guy from Outer Space,

    The Guy from Outer Space The Guy from Outer Space Jul 22, 2014 5:14 PM in response to dianeoforegon
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 22, 2014 5:14 PM in response to dianeoforegon

    Thank you for your time dianeoforegon!

     

    Yes, when I right-click and create a new folder, the icon (which I attached a screenshot of below) is the default.

    I attempted to change some of the folder icons back to the original using the method you said above, but the icon stays the same, and if I do it to a folder on which I had previously changed the icon, it changes it to the icon below.

    Screen Shot 2014-07-22 at 7.14.09 PM.png

    I will attempt to install the combo update and get back to you on whether or not it fixed the issue.

  • by VikingOSX,Helpful

    VikingOSX VikingOSX Jul 22, 2014 5:21 PM in response to The Guy from Outer Space
    Level 7 (21,376 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 22, 2014 5:21 PM in response to The Guy from Outer Space

    Any chance that you had previously used a Finder replacement tool, or OS X customization utility, and have not entirely uninstalled either? Have been using OS X for quite  awhile, and have not seen this before.

  • by The Guy from Outer Space,

    The Guy from Outer Space The Guy from Outer Space Jul 22, 2014 5:39 PM in response to VikingOSX
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 22, 2014 5:39 PM in response to VikingOSX

    I just got this computer a few weeks ago from a friend so I contacted him and asked if he had any apps which meet your description VikingOSX.

    He used to have a customization tool called "LiteIcon" and may not have removed it entirely because he just deleted all of the apps and personal data before giving it to me so yes there was one application that meets your description.

     

    I didn't have any problems with the folders until earlier, but if that app is the problem then do you know how to fix it?

  • by dianeoforegon,

    dianeoforegon dianeoforegon Jul 22, 2014 5:41 PM in response to VikingOSX
    Level 5 (5,753 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 22, 2014 5:41 PM in response to VikingOSX

    VikingOSX, This is a new icon for me as well.

     

    Guy from Outer Space, Log Out under the Apple in the Menu bar, Log in to Guest. When you make a new folder, do you see the same behavior.

  • by dianeoforegon,Solvedanswer

    dianeoforegon dianeoforegon Jul 22, 2014 5:48 PM in response to The Guy from Outer Space
    Level 5 (5,753 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 22, 2014 5:48 PM in response to The Guy from Outer Space

    According to the description you can revert "http://liteicon.en.softonic.com/mac

     

    You might need to reinstall the software to fix.

     

    If you did not create your own User folder when you got your friend's computer I highly advise you move you data to a new User. However, the best optin is to backup first then wipe the instenal drive and reinstall OS X. This way you start with a clean computer.

  • by The Guy from Outer Space,

    The Guy from Outer Space The Guy from Outer Space Jul 22, 2014 5:55 PM in response to dianeoforegon
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 22, 2014 5:55 PM in response to dianeoforegon

    I logged in as a guest and the folder had the normal icon. I think I'm going to backup, wipe, and start with a new computer. That probably should have been done first thing but I didn't ever see the need to do it.

     

    Thank you both diane and VikingOSX for your time!!!

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Jul 22, 2014 6:01 PM in response to The Guy from Outer Space
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    Jul 22, 2014 6:01 PM in response to The Guy from Outer Space

    The first thing to do with a second-hand computer is to erase the internal drive and install a clean copy of OS X. You—not the original owner—must do that. Changes made by Apple over the years have made this seemingly straightforward task very complex.

    How you go about it depends on the model, and on whether you already own another Mac. If you're not sure of the model, enter the serial number on this page. Then find the model on this page to see what OS version was originally installed.

    It's unsafe, and may be unlawful, to use a computer with software installed by a previous owner.

    1. If you don't own another Mac

    a. If the machine shipped with OS X 10.4 or 10.5, you need a boxed and shrink-wrapped retail Snow Leopard (OS X 10.6) installation disc from the Apple Store or a reputable reseller—not from eBay or anything of the kind. If the machine is very old and has less than 1 GB of memory, you'll need to add more in order to install 10.6. Preferably, install as much memory as it can take, according to the technical specifications.

    b. If the machine shipped with OS X 10.6, you need the installation media that came with it: gray installation discs, or a USB flash drive for a MacBook Air. You should have received those media from the original owner, but if you didn't, order replacements from Apple. A retail disc, or the gray discs from another model, will not work.

    To start up from an optical disc or a flash drive, insert it, then restart the computer and hold down the C key at the startup chime. Release the key when you see the gray Apple logo on the screen.

    c. If the machine shipped with OS X 10.7 or later, you don't need media. It should start up in Internet Recovery mode when you hold down the key combination option-command-R at the startup chime. Release the keys when you see a spinning globe.

    d. Some models shipped with OS X 10.6 and received a firmware update after 10.7 was released, enabling them to use Internet Recovery. If you have one of those models, you may not be able to reinstall 10.6 even from the original discs, and Internet Recovery may not work either without the original owner's Apple ID. In that case, contact Apple Support, or take the machine to an Apple Store or another authorized service provider to have the OS installed.

    2. If you do own another Mac

    If you already own another Mac that was upgraded in the App Store to the version of OS X that you want to install, and if the new Mac is compatible with it, then you can install it. Use Recovery Disk Assistant to prepare a USB device, then start up the new Mac from it by holding down the C key at the startup chime. Alternatively, if you have a Time Machine backup of OS X 10.7.3 or later on an external hard drive (not a Time Capsule or other network device), you can start from that by holding down the option key and selecting it from the row of icons that appears. Note that if your other Mac was never upgraded in the App Store, you can't use this method.

    3. Partition and install OS X

    a. If you see a lock screen when trying to start up from installation media or in Recovery mode, then a firmware password was set by the previous owner, or the machine was remotely locked via iCloud. You'll either have to contact the owner or take the machine to an Apple Store or another service provider to be unlocked. You may be asked for proof of ownership.

    b. Launch Disk Utility and select the icon of the internal drive—not any of the volume icons nested beneath it. In the  Partition tab, select the default options: a GUID partition table with one data volume in Mac OS Extended (Journaled) format. This operation will permanently remove all existing data on the drive.

    c. An unusual problem may arise if all the following conditions apply:

              OS X 10.7 or later was installed by the previous owner

              The startup volume was encrypted with FileVault

              You're booted in Recovery mode (that is, not from a 10.6 installation disc)

    In that case, you won't be able to unlock the volume or partition the drive without the FileVault password. Ask for guidance or see this discussion.

    d. After partitioning, quit Disk Utility and run the OS X Installer. If you're installing a version of OS X acquired from the App Store, you will need the Apple ID and password that you used. When the installation is done, the system will automatically restart into the Setup Assistant, which will prompt you to transfer the data from another Mac, its backups, or from a Windows computer. If you have any data to transfer, this is usually the best time to do it.

    e. Run Software Update and install all available system updates from Apple. To upgrade to a major version of OS X newer than 10.6, get it from the Mac App Store. Note that you can't keep an upgraded version that was installed by the original owner. He or she can't legally transfer it to you, and without the Apple ID you won't be able to update it in Software Update or reinstall, if that becomes necessary. The same goes for any App Store products that the previous owner installed—you have to repurchase them.

    4. Other issues

    a. If the original owner "accepted" the bundled iLife applications (iPhoto, iMovie, and Garage Band) in the App Store so that he or she could update them, then they're irrevocably linked to that Apple ID and you won't be able to download them without buying them. Reportedly, Mac App Store Customer Service has sometimes issued redemption codes for these apps to second owners who asked.

    b. If the previous owner didn't deauthorize the computer in the iTunes Store under his Apple ID, you wont be able to  authorize it immediately under your ID. In that case, you'll either have to wait up to 90 days or contact iTunes Support.

    c. When trying to create a new iCloud account, you might get a failure message: "Account limit reached." Apple imposes a lifetime limit of three iCloud account setups per device. Erasing the device does not reset the limit. You can still use an iCloud account that was created on another device, but you won't be able to create a new one. Contact iCloud Support for more information. The setup limit doesn't apply to Apple ID accounts used for other services, such as the iTunes and Mac App Stores, or iMessage. You can create as many of those accounts as you like.

  • by VikingOSX,

    VikingOSX VikingOSX Jul 22, 2014 6:29 PM in response to The Guy from Outer Space
    Level 7 (21,376 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 22, 2014 6:29 PM in response to The Guy from Outer Space

    Liteicon is from freemacsoft. On their landing page, they have a small blurb on how to use it.

     

    It looks as though it is self-contained and installs into /Applications. However, without installing it myself, I am peeking at Liteicon.app with Pacifist. It appears to use a Launch Service - net.freemacsoft.LiteIcon.LIHelperTool - that it may launch internally when the program starts. It also has an internal folder of backup-icons for most of the important OS X 10.9 icons. That includes the blue generic Finder icon. These are .icns documents with multiple resolutions in the internal Liteicon.app/Contents/Resources folder.

     

    It looks like Liteicon comes with a library of different icon styles. You drag one of these from the program and drop it on the icon you want to change. It may offer you the chance to drag a generic OS X 10.9 icon onto that pure white icon, and solve your problem.

     

    I see Linc has posted a concern that I had, and his approach will replace the Operating System, the folder icon issue, and Liteicon — all in one solution.