Vista Registry – Change the Name of Your Network Icon

Vista Registry – Change the Name of Your Network Icon

The idea behind this registry tweak is to rename the name of the Network Icon found on the Vista desktop.  Please note, this Network Icon lacks a rename option, thus you have to resort to a registry edit.

Original name and after registry tweak

Topics for Changing the Name of the Network Icon

• Instructions for NetworkExplorer.dll,-1"
• Screen Shot of Vista’s Regedit
• Key Learning Points
• Windows 8 Registry Hacks

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Preliminary Step

Before you attempt this registry tweak, ensure that the Vista desktop displays the Network icon.  Right-click the desktop, Personalize and select: Change Desktop Icons.  This tip also works for XP and W2K3, in these cases, make sure that you display the ‘Network’ on the desktop.

Instructions for NetworkExplorer.dll,-1"

The mission is to find a particular registry setting in the HKCU section.  Once we locate the REG_SZ we merely edit the value to reflect our preference.

Launch Regedit and navigate thus:

1) HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\MuiCache

2) Double-click the REG_SZ "@C:\Windows\system32\NetworkExplorer.dll,-1"

3) To see the fruits of your labours, just press F5 to refresh the desktop, your computer icon should now say the equivalent of: Guy’s Network. (See screenshot at the top of this page).

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Screen Shot of Vista’s Regedit

Here is a panoramic view of the registry, which shows regedit displaying:
C:\Windows\system32\NetworkExplorer.dll,-1"

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Key Learning Points

• Preliminary step, make sure that Vista displays the Network icon on the desktop.  right-click, Personalize and select: Change Desktop Icons.
• Do you find the LocalizedString value in HKCU** or HKLM?
  Answer: it’s under HKEY_CURRENT_USER.
• Do you have to add a value, or modify an existing setting? 
  Answer: modify
• Is it a String Value or a DWORD?
  Answer: REG_SZ
• Do you need to Restart, or merely Logoff / Logon?
  Answer: Neither, just refresh the desktop by pressing F5.
• Tip: Add this key, MuiCache to Regedit’s Favorites menu

** HKLM is an abbreviation of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, and HKCU is shorthand for HKEY_CURRENT_USER.  These acronyms are so well-known that you can even use them in .reg files, Vista will understand and obey the registry instruction.

Creating a .Reg File

This page explains how to create, and then edit .reg files for your computer.  As it’s easy to import the contents of a .reg file into the registry, do take extra care with procedures.

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Windows Vista Registry Tweaks: