Where can I find the default icons used for folders and applications?

Question

I\'m trying to load the default HICON that explorer displays for:

• An open folder
• An exe that has no embedded default icon of its own. This can also

Answer 1

The user's selected icon can be found in the registry at HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\DefaultIcon

By looking up the value here, you'll also pick up if they've changed it for whatever reason.

For folders where a desktop.ini file exists, you'd need to read the IconFile and IconIndex entries.