---
title: "Breaking: #67654 - Remove $GLOBALS[FILEICONS] functionality"
manual: "TYPO3 Core Changelog"
version: "main"
permalink: "https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/changelog:breaking-67654"
source: "Changelog/7.4/Breaking-67654-RemoveGLOBALSFILEICONSFunctionality.rst"
typo3-version: "7.4"
typo3-major: 7
type: "breaking"
issue: 67654
forge: "https://forge.typo3.org/issues/67654"
tags: ["PHP-API", "Backend"]
rendered: "2026-09-17T21:17:42+00:00"
---

# Breaking: #67654 - Remove $GLOBALS\[FILEICONS\] functionality {#breaking-67654-remove-globals-fileicons-functionality}

See [forge#67654](https://forge.typo3.org/issues/67654)

## Description {#description}

The global variable `$GLOBALS['FILEICONS']` was in use for displaying icons before the sprite icons for files were introduced in TYPO3 v4.4.

The `$FILEICONS` has been removed completely as well as the function call `BackendUtility::getFileIcon()`.

## Impact {#impact}

Any usage on `$GLOBALS['FILEICONS']` will have no effect anymore.

Any calls on `BackendUtility::getFileIcon()` will result in a fatal error.

## Affected Installations {#affected-installations}

Instances that populate or make use of `$GLOBALS['FILEICONS']` or installations with extensions calling `BackendUtility::getFileIcon()` directly.

## Migration {#migration}

Use sprite icons via `IconUtility::getSpriteIconForFile()`.