.ico extension trouble

I recently ran a reg cleaner and one of the 'invalid' entries was for 'unused file extension .ico' even tho I have TONS of custom icons (many I made myself) with the .ico extension. The reg cleaner removed the .ico entry from the reg (my mistake for not unchecking that entry and preventing deletion) and I can't see previews of my icons... for example: I have a folder named 'Icons' (duh!) and when I open it, instead of a picture of the icon next to the icons name, all I have is that boring, lame unknown extension type white page-looking picture/icon/thingy.... I don't remember which reg cleaner I used or if I backed up the reg before cleaning (yeah, I know, stupid). My question is: how to put the .ico extension back into the registry so I'll get preview pictures of my icons again??????

H E L P !

Thanx - hopperdave2000

 

Off the top of my head, I can think of one simple way you might be able to resolve this...

Open Windows Explorer, and find an .ICO file. Right-click it and choose the "Open With..." option. Then, look through the list, and find the program you want to manage your icon files with, and place a check-mark in the box next to "Always use this program to open these files", then click on the "OK" button.

If the program you want to associate the .ICO files with isn't listed in the box, you can use the "Other..." button to locate it. My icon files are associated with IrfanView, which I've used for several years now...

Good luck; hope this information helps you...