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#20
The policy for this is not there by default in the registry, and is added by either the .reg file or gpedit.msc.
It sounds like you may be using a created shortcut that's not affected by the policy. If you open Control Panel using any of the options in the tutorial on the first page, does it open in icons view?
In addition if you like, here's a shortcut in the tutorial below that will always open in icons view that can be used on your desktop.
Control Panel Icons View Shortcut - Create - Windows 7 Help Forums