=====================================

W i n d o w s  9 8

I c o n   C a c h e   I n c r e a s e

=====================================

Windows Explorer uses an Icon-cache (stored
in C:\WINDOWS) to help reduce hard disk 
searching when it needs to show application
and library icons.

The cache is by default set far too low,
and this results in thrashing and that all
too familiar desktop icon refresh which 
occurs when the cache is emptied because 
it has become full.

However, you can increase this very simply.

NOTE: There is another way of doing this
on my website pc_registry.htm page.


== How to do it

1. 	Start | Run... (or Windows key+R)
	regedit, and click OK

2. 	Navigate to the following registry 
	key:

	HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

3.	Make a new string value called

		Max Cached Icons

	and give it a value of 8192


== Alternative method

Another method is to copy the text below
(from and including REGEDIT4)
into a new text file and save it as
"IconCacheSize.reg" and then run it by 
double-clicking it.

This now gives you greater control over
the Icon Cache Size by adding a new setting
to the Folder Options | View | Advanced 
Settings window.



REGEDIT4

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Advanced\IconCache]
"Text"="Icon Cache Size"
"Type"="group"
"Bitmap"="SHDOC401.DLL,6"
"HelpID"="update.hlp#51140"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Advanced\IconCache\Small]
"RegPath"="Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer"
"Text"="1024 Icons"
"Type"="radio"
"CheckedValue"="1024"
"ValueName"="Max Cached Icons"
"DefaultValue"="2048"
"HKeyRoot"=dword:80000002
"HelpID"="update.hlp#51140"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Advanced\IconCache\Medium]
"RegPath"="Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer"
"Text"="2048 Icons"
"Type"="radio"
"CheckedValue"="2048"
"ValueName"="Max Cached Icons"
"DefaultValue"="2048"
"HKeyRoot"=dword:80000002
"HelpID"="update.hlp#51140"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Advanced\IconCache\Large]
"RegPath"="Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer"
"Text"="4096 Icons"
"Type"="radio"
"CheckedValue"="4096"
"ValueName"="Max Cached Icons"
"DefaultValue"="2048"
"HKeyRoot"=dword:80000002
"HelpID"="update.hlp#51140"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Advanced\IconCache\Huge]
"RegPath"="Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer"
"Text"="8192 Icons"
"Type"="radio"
"CheckedValue"="8192"
"ValueName"="Max Cached Icons"
"DefaultValue"="2048"
"HKeyRoot"=dword:80000002
"HelpID"="update.hlp#51140"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer]
"Max Cached Icons"="2048"