Vista - Change Desktop Icon for custom images

**ibit-matt** · 09-25-2008

Hi there I know where to go to change icons but vista will not allow me to use a custome image.

I am right clicking the desktop > Personalize > then on the left hand side clicking Change Desktop Icons.

But when I browse to my image it does not allow it. I also want to change the default image for folders as well.

Any ideas how I can get around this?

**Brink** · 09-25-2008

Hello Matt,

What type of image are you trying to use to replace the icon with? You will only be able to use 256x256 pixel .ico (icon) files for these. This will give you some more details about icons for Vista if needed.

Vista Icons - Introducing Vista Icons - How to create Vista Icons

To change the default Folder icons, this tutorial will show you how to. You will need to change the DefaultIcon for the Folder key in step 6.

File Extension Type Icon - Change

Hope this helps,
Shawn

**Bare Foot Kid** · 09-25-2008

Hello ibit-matt.

In addition to Brink's suggestions have a look at this, at the link below.

Folder Preview Picture Change

Keep us informed!

Later

Ted

**ibit-matt** · 09-25-2008

Thanks

I have created .ico file now but how do I globally change all the folder icons?

**Brink** · 09-25-2008

Matt,

To change the default icon for all folders, this tutorial will show you how to. You will need to change the DefaultIcon for the Folder key in step 6.

File Extension Type Icon - Change

Hope this helps,
Shawn

**ibit-matt** · 09-26-2008

Sorry Im being really stupid. Do I need to find the file extension that controls the folders and edit the key to point to the new icon?

If so what is the file extension for a folder?

**Brink** · 09-26-2008

No problem Matt. There is not a file extension for folder, just a key entry for it in the registry. The key you will be looking for in step 7, for the left pane of the registry, is named Folder. That just happens to be the name of it.

File Extension Type Icon - Change

**ibit-matt** · 09-26-2008

I have edited the key but nothing changed after a reboot.

I have pointed the key to a .png and .ico file and both did not work,

See screen attached

**Brink** · 09-26-2008

I cannot quite make out what it says, but you need to use a .ico file that is a 256x256 pixel icon that is made for Vista. Is this for the DefaultIcon folder under Folders?

Vista Icons - Introducing Vista Icons - How to create Vista Icons

If all else fails, you can use the program IconPackager with a 30 day trial period to make the changes you need to the icons. Afterwards, you should be able to uninstall the program and keep the new icon changes.

http://www.stardock.com/products/iconpackager/index.asp

**ibit-matt** · 09-27-2008

Is this for the DefaultIcon folder under Folders? = Yes

I will try again.

Is this the tpe of path I should using

C:\Program Files\RocketDock\Leopard PNGs\Leopard Icons (128x128)\Generic Folder.ico

Thanks so far Brink ;-)

09-25-2008	#1 (permalink)
ibit-matt Windows Vista ltimate 32bit 17 posts	Change Desktop Icon for custom images Hi there I know where to go to change icons but vista will not allow me to use a custome image. I am right clicking the desktop > Personalize > then on the left hand side clicking Change Desktop Icons. But when I browse to my image it does not allow it. I also want to change the default image for folders as well. Any ideas how I can get around this?
My System Specs

09-25-2008	#2 (permalink)
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 26,107 posts	Re: Change Desktop Icon for custom images Hello Matt, What type of image are you trying to use to replace the icon with? You will only be able to use 256x256 pixel .ico (icon) files for these. This will give you some more details about icons for Vista if needed. Vista Icons - Introducing Vista Icons - How to create Vista Icons To change the default Folder icons, this tutorial will show you how to. You will need to change the DefaultIcon for the Folder key in step 6. File Extension Type Icon - Change Hope this helps, Shawn
My System Specs

09-25-2008	#3 (permalink)
Bare Foot Kid Vista 64-bit Ultimate Win7 64-bit Ultimate XP SP3 32-bit Pro 2,126 posts	Re: Change Desktop Icon for custom images Hello ibit-matt. In addition to Brink's suggestions have a look at this, at the link below. Folder Preview Picture Change Keep us informed! Later Ted
My System Specs

09-25-2008	#4 (permalink)
ibit-matt Windows Vista ltimate 32bit 17 posts	Thanks I have created .ico file now but how do I globally change all the folder icons?
My System Specs

09-25-2008	#5 (permalink)
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 26,107 posts	Re: Change Desktop Icon for custom images Matt, To change the default icon for all folders, this tutorial will show you how to. You will need to change the DefaultIcon for the Folder key in step 6. File Extension Type Icon - Change Hope this helps, Shawn
My System Specs

09-26-2008	#6 (permalink)
ibit-matt Windows Vista ltimate 32bit 17 posts	Re: Change Desktop Icon for custom images Sorry Im being really stupid. Do I need to find the file extension that controls the folders and edit the key to point to the new icon? If so what is the file extension for a folder?
My System Specs

09-26-2008	#7 (permalink)
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 26,107 posts	Re: Change Desktop Icon for custom images No problem Matt. There is not a file extension for folder, just a key entry for it in the registry. The key you will be looking for in step 7, for the left pane of the registry, is named Folder. That just happens to be the name of it. File Extension Type Icon - Change
My System Specs

09-26-2008	#8 (permalink)
ibit-matt Windows Vista ltimate 32bit 17 posts	Re: Change Desktop Icon for custom images I have edited the key but nothing changed after a reboot. I have pointed the key to a .png and .ico file and both did not work, See screen attached
My System Specs

09-26-2008	#9 (permalink)
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 26,107 posts	Re: Change Desktop Icon for custom images I cannot quite make out what it says, but you need to use a .ico file that is a 256x256 pixel icon that is made for Vista. Is this for the DefaultIcon folder under Folders? Vista Icons - Introducing Vista Icons - How to create Vista Icons If all else fails, you can use the program IconPackager with a 30 day trial period to make the changes you need to the icons. Afterwards, you should be able to uninstall the program and keep the new icon changes. http://www.stardock.com/products/iconpackager/index.asp
My System Specs

09-27-2008	#10 (permalink)
ibit-matt Windows Vista ltimate 32bit 17 posts	Re: Change Desktop Icon for custom images Is this for the DefaultIcon folder under Folders? = Yes I will try again. Is this the tpe of path I should using C:\Program Files\RocketDock\Leopard PNGs\Leopard Icons (128x128)\Generic Folder.ico Thanks so far Brink ;-)
My System Specs

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