Just say you accidentally delete the Windows Vista Flip 3D icon and then realise that you cannot find the program to create another icon. Well there is no need to panic as it is easily fixed.  There are two detailed steps to restore your Flip 3D icon to your desktop or quick launch toolbar on the taskbar.

Step 1 : Create a desktop shortcut that opens the Windows Vista Flip 3D application

1. Right click on the blank area on your desktop
2. Choose New from the menu
3. Then choose shortcut
4. Now copy this RunDll32 DwmApi #105 and paste it into the area that says Type the location of the item
5. Press next. Then Type in a name for your shortcut. (Flip 3D)
6. Press Finish. That’s it.

Now when you double press on this icon it will start Flip 3D.

Step 2 :  Change the icon to a proper Windows Vista Flip 3D icon

1. Right click on the icon that you just created
2. Choose properties from the menu
3. Now the shortcut properties will appear and you need to be on the shortcut tab
4. Then press the Change icon button
5. Press browse to find the right icon for Flip 3D
6. The file you want is in C:/Windows/System32 folder and is called imageres.dll
7. Once you have selected this file press open
8. Now you will have lots of icons to choose from. The Flip 3D icon will be in there somewhere.

Please watch the video tutorial below to see more details.

Aero Flip 3D in Windows Vista is very cool if you have it, however if you do not, there is a free program called Rocketdock that gives you the same convienience and feel. The screenshot below does not give it justice because you cannot see the icons glide out when you mouse over them.

If you have Windows XP or Windows Vista Home Basic you can download this program and almost pretend that you have cool graphics like Vista Aero Flip 3D. This is a really cool program that resembles the dock that is used on a mac computer.

Rocketdock screenshot - icon browser

In the settings you can move the Rocketdock to the top, right, left, or bottom of the screen. You can also drag icons onto it and remove them by right clicking on the icon and choosing to delete the item. There are also loads of themes to choose from.

I have tested this program on a Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows XP Professional and it worked flawlessly. Oh yeah… Did I mention it was free! And there are no nagging popups or spyware, the developers politely ask for a donation if you like the program.

Rocketdock features

• Easily drag and drop new icons onto the dock
• Fully customize themes and settings
• Real time previews are on the dock (movies are still playing and watchable)
• Runs great on slower computers

Download Rocketdock from http://rocketdock.com/downloadis

Please note that Windows XP x64 Edition, Windows Vista 64-bit Editions, and alternate shells are not supported.