microsoft / microsoft/WSL

WSL shortcut icon inherits default .ico handler's icon instead of showing wsl logo

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feature
Dominant language
C++
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Description

### Windows Version

Microsoft Windows [version 10.0.19045.6216]

### WSL Version

.2.5.10.0 (install from the latest released msi)

### Are you using WSL 1 or WSL 2?

- [x] WSL 2
- [ ] WSL 1

### Kernel Version

6.6.87.2-1

### Distro Version

_No response_

### Other Software

_No response_

### Repro Steps

1. Set any application (e.g., ImageGlass/Paint) as default handler for .ico files
2. Install WSL via official .msi package
3. Check the generated shortcuts

### Expected Behavior

Shortcuts should always show WSL's penguin icon regardless of system file associations

### Actual Behavior

Shortcut icons display the default .ico handler's icon

### Diagnostic Logs

_No response_

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

No source file, test, or entry point is named. First reproduce the issue on Windows 10 with WSL 2 by changing the default .ico handler, then trace how the official MSI generates shortcuts. Done means generated shortcuts consistently display the WSL penguin icon regardless of the system’s .ico association.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Domain
desktop, operating-systems
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
30/100

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