Windows Vista Forums

Control Panel Icons

  1. #1
    <!-- google_ad_section_start -->Control Panel Icons<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

    Control Panel Icons
    How to Change a Icon in the Control Panel in Vista
    Published by Brink is online now
    05 May 2007
    Control Panel Icons

    How to Change a Icon in the Control Panel in Vista

    information   Information
    This will show you how to change most of the classic view Control Panel icons listed below to whatever you want them to be.
    Note   Note
    To change the icons back to their default (original) icons, see the post below for a list of the original default paths, and then follow these same steps.

    See: Control Panel Icons

    warning   Warning
    The icons you decide to use must be a 256x256 .ico icon file (not .PNG) to be used in Vista without any viewing problems with a larger size. A PNG file must be converted to a 256x256 ICO file before it can be used. To convert a PNG to ICO you must use a program such as this free 30 day trial program called Axialis IconWorkshop: Axialis IconWorkshop Download Page . Here's a good location for some icons: deviantArt: Dock Icons

    EXAMPLE: Default Classic Control Panel Icons




    OPTION ONE

    How to Change the Easy Control Panel Icons
    1. Open the Start Menu.

    2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.

    3. Click on the Continue button in the UAC prompt.

    4. Go to the registry key location (Icon Locations below) in regedit for the icon you want to change.
    Note   Note

    Icon Locations:
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{add location here from below}

    Control Panel Icon CLSID Location
    Add Hardware {7A979262-40CE-46ff-AEEE-7884AC3B6136}\DefaultIcon
    Administrative Tools {D20EA4E1-3957-11d2-A40B-OC5020524153}\DefaultIcon
    Default Programs {17cd9488-1228-4b2f-88ce-4298e93e0966}\DefaultIcon
    Device Manager {74246bfc-4c96-11d0-9bef-0020afgb0b7a}\DefaultIcon
    Ease of Access Center {D555645E-D4F8-4c29-A827-D93C859C4F2A}\DefaultIcon
    Folder Options {6DFD7C5C-2451-11d3-A299-00C04F8EF6AF}\DefaultIcon
    Fonts {D20EA4E1-3957-11d2-A40b-OC5020524152}\DefaultIcon
    Network and Sharing Center {8E908FC9-BECC-40f6-915B-F4CAOE70D03D}\DefaultIcon
    Parental Controls {96AE8D84-A250-4520-95A5-A46A7E3C548B}\DefaultIcon
    Personalization {ED834ED6-485A-4bfe-8F11-A626DCB6A921}\DefaultIcon
    Printers {2227A280-3AEA-1069-A2DE-08002B30309D}\DefaultIcon
    Programs and Features {7b81be6a-ce2b-4676-a29e-eb907a5126c5}\DefaultIcon
    iSCSI Initiator {A304259D-52B8-4526-8B1A-A1D6CECC8243}\DefaultIcon
    Sync Center {9C73F5E5-7AE7-4E32-A8E8-8D23B85255BF}\DefaultIcon
    System {BB06C0E4-D293-4f75-8A90-CB05B6A77EEE}\DefaultIcon
    Taskbar and Start Menu {0DF44EAA-FF21-4412-828E-260A8728E7F1}\DefaultIcon
    Welcome Center {CB1B7F8C-C50A-4176-B604-9E24DEE8D4D1}\DefaultIcon
    Windows Anytime Update {BE122A0E-4503-11DA-8BDE-F66BAD1E3F3A}\DefaultIcon
    Windows Cardspace {78CB147A-98EA-4AA6-B0DF-C8681F69341C}\DefaultIcon
    Windows Firewall {4026492F-2F69-46B8-B9BF-5654FC07E423}\DefaultIcon
    Windows Sidebar {37efd44d-ef8d-41b1-940d-96973a50e9eo}\DefaultIcon

    5. In the right pane, right click on (Default) and on Modify. (See example screenshots below)
    Example Original Path:
    icon1.jpg

    Example New Path:
    icon2.jpg
    6. Type in your new Icon's full file path. (See screenshots below step 7)
    EX: C:\(where ever you saved the icon)

    7. Click on OK to apply.
    NOTE: Now look in your Control Panel and you will see the icon has been replaced with the one you added.
    modify.jpg






    OPTION TWO

    How to Change the Harder Control Panel Icons
    1. Open the Start Menu.

    2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.

    3. Click on the Continue button in the UAC prompt.

    4. Go to the registry key location (Icon Locations below) in regedit for the icon you want to change.
    Note   Note

    Icon Locations:
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{add location here from below}

    Control Panel Icon CLSID Location
    Autoplay {9C60DE1E-E5FC-4of4-A487-460851A8D915}\DefaultIcon
    Backup and Restore Center {335a31dd-f04b-4d76-a925-d6b47cf360df}\DefaultIcon
    Color Management {B2C761C6-29BC-4f19-9251-E6195265BAF1}\DefaultIcon
    Performance Information and Tools {78F3955E-3B90-4184-BD14-5397C15F1EFC}\DefaultIcon
    Power Options {025A5937-A6BE-4686-A844-36FE4BEC8B6D}\DefaulIcon
    Problem Reports and Solutions {FCFEECAE-EE1B-4849-AE50-685DCF7717EC}\DefaultIcon
    Scanners and Cameras {00f2886f-cd64-4fc9-8ec5-30efbcdbe8c3}\DefaultIcon
    Speech Recognition {58E3C745-D971-4081-9034-86E34B30836A}\DefaultIcon
    User Accounts {60632754-c523-4b62-b45c-4172da012619}\DefaultIcon
    Windows Defender {D8559EB9-20C0-410E-BEDA-7ED416AECC2A}\DefaultIcon
    Windows Sideshow {E95A4861-D57A-4be1-AD0F-35267E261739}\DefaultIcon
    Windows Update {36eef7db-88ad-4e81-ad49-0e313f0c35f8}\DefaultIcon

    5. Right click on DefaultIcon (in left pane) and click on Properties. (See screenshot below)
    NOTE: We will have to take ownership of the registry key DefaultIcon (in left pane) to do this.
    right-click.jpg
    6. Here's the window to start taking ownership. (See screenshot below) Open another tab or window in IE and go to How to Take Ownership of an Item in Vista and follow instructions for method two step 3.
    permissions.jpg
    7. When you have taken ownership. Right click on (Default) in the right pane and click on Modify. (See screenshot below step 5)

    8. Type in your new icon's full file path and press OK. (See screenshot below)
    NOTE: Your Icon has been changed in Control Panel. If not, then you didn't take ownership of DefaultIcon and you will need to repeat these steps.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Modify.jpg 
Views:	3982 
Size:	31.5 KB 
ID:	81
    That's it,
    Shawn




    Related Tutorials



    Published by


    Brink's Avatar
    Administrator

    Join Date: Apr 2007
    Location: Texas, USA
    Posts: 30,588
    Array

    Tutorial Tools


    Applies to

    All Vista Versions
    64 Bit & 32 Bit

  2. #1
    Brink's Avatar

    Administrator


    Join Date : Apr 2007
    Texas, USA
    Posts : 30,588
    64-bit Vista Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate SP1, Windows 8 Enterprise
    Local Time: 04:03 PM
    usa us texas
    Default Control Panel Icon Paths in Vista

    Note   Note
    Follow the above posts instructions on how to change the icons and just put the original path location for the data.

    BLUE = Easy ones
    RED = Harder Have to take Ownership ones
    Tip   Tip
    Use Copy and Paste to save yourself time.









    That's it,
    Shawn


      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  3. #2
    niGht kiD's Avatar

    hello KiDdy
    Join Date : Dec 2007
    Malaysia
    Posts : 30
    Vista™ Business 32-bit
    Local Time: 05:03 AM
    malaysia

     

    Re: Control Panel Icons

    Hi brink,

    Thanks for this guide

    I would like to know if it is possible to change the icons of Control Panel(the one in the start menu), Hard Disk & DVD Drives?

    Thanks again!

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  4. #3
    Brink's Avatar

    Administrator


    Join Date : Apr 2007
    Texas, USA
    Posts : 30,588
    64-bit Vista Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate SP1, Windows 8 Enterprise
    Local Time: 04:03 PM
    usa us texas

      Thread Starter

    Re: Control Panel Icons

    Your welcome niGht kiD,

    Welcome to the forum.

    I used the program Vista Manager to change the drive, file, and folder icons. You can download a 15-day fully functional trial copy here:

    http://yamicsoft.com/vistamanager/index.html

    and for Microangelo On Display:

    http://www.microangelo.us/free-icon-editor-download.asp

    Shawn

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  5. #4
    niGht kiD's Avatar

    hello KiDdy
    Join Date : Dec 2007
    Malaysia
    Posts : 30
    Vista™ Business 32-bit
    Local Time: 05:03 AM
    malaysia

     

    Re: Control Panel Icons

    Oh Thanks.. brink. Trying right now

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  6. #5
    Brink's Avatar

    Administrator


    Join Date : Apr 2007
    Texas, USA
    Posts : 30,588
    64-bit Vista Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate SP1, Windows 8 Enterprise
    Local Time: 04:03 PM
    usa us texas

      Thread Starter

    Re: Control Panel Icons

    niGht kiD,

    From the PM you sent me:
    It took me a bit to track it down, but I found a way to change a drive icon in the registry. I wrote up a tutorial on it. Here is the link for you.

    How to Change a Drive Icon in Vista

    Have fun and enjoy,
    Shawn

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  7. #6
    niGht kiD's Avatar

    hello KiDdy
    Join Date : Dec 2007
    Malaysia
    Posts : 30
    Vista™ Business 32-bit
    Local Time: 05:03 AM
    malaysia

     

    Re: Control Panel Icons

    So only the 32 icons listed below the LOCATION can be changed? How about the others? Like Realtek HD Audio Manager, Game controllers...etc Ahhh... I'm so fussy

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  8. #7
    Brink's Avatar

    Administrator


    Join Date : Apr 2007
    Texas, USA
    Posts : 30,588
    64-bit Vista Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate SP1, Windows 8 Enterprise
    Local Time: 04:03 PM
    usa us texas

      Thread Starter

    Re: Control Panel Icons

    LOL niGht kiD,

    These are just the ones I found so far. I dug for the others, and no luck yet. Hopefully I will find them one day.

    Shawn

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  9. #8



    Newbie
    Join Date : Jun 2008
    Posts : 1
    Vista Business 32bit
    Local Time: 11:03 AM


     

    Re: Control Panel Icons

    What if an unidentified icon with no name has appeared in the Control Panel? It looks like a piece of paper with an empty comment balloon superimposed on it. How can I find it's name and location?
    Mike

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  10. #9
    Brink's Avatar

    Administrator


    Join Date : Apr 2007
    Texas, USA
    Posts : 30,588
    64-bit Vista Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate SP1, Windows 8 Enterprise
    Local Time: 04:03 PM
    usa us texas

      Thread Starter

    Re: Control Panel Icons

    Hi Mberry,

    It sounds similar to the Text to Speech icon. Did you install anything before it appeared? See if highlighting it will let you see the name. You can also right click on it and click Create Shortcut for the desktop, then right click on the shortcut (on desktop) and click Properties to see if it will give you a name.

    Hope this helps,
    Shawn

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Control Panel Icons

Similar Threads
Tutorial Tutorial Starter Category Comments Last Post
No icons in control panel Beth Vista General 1 04 Dec 2008
How can I control the size of icons in Control Panel? MaryL Vista General 6 19 Jul 2008
Lost Icons in Control panel milgar General Discussion 4 10 Mar 2008
How to change icons in Control Panel tysoh Vista General 17 15 Apr 2007
Icons in Control Panel Clayton Vista General 8 03 Oct 2006