Vista Tutorial - Folder Icon Change

**Brink**

How to Change a Folder Icon in Vista

Information

This will show you how to change a folder icon to any icon you would like.

NOTE

You will not be able to change a protected system folder icon. For example: C:\Windows, C:\Program Files, C\Windows\System32, etc...

Tip

To fix the User Folders instead, see: How to Fix a Personal User Shell Folder Displayed as a Standard Yellow Folder Icon in Vista
To change all of the default yellow folder icons, you can change the Folder key's default icon full path to one you want instead using step 6 on in this tutorial.

WARNING

If you change the folder icon, the folder will no longer show a thumbnail preview of it's content. It will show your icon instead.

RELATED LINKS:

EXAMPLE: Before and After Icon Change

Here's How:

1. Right click on the folder and click on Properties.

2. Click on the Customize tab. (See screenshot below)

3. To Change the Folder Icon -
A) Click on the Change Icon button.

B) Select a icon and click on OK to apply. (See screenshot below)

NOTE: Some common icon locations in Vista.
C:\Windows\System32\imageres.dll (Recommended one to use)

C:\Windows\System32\shell32.dll

C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe

OR

C) Click on Browse to choose a icon of your own. (See screenshot above)
NOTE: For the best icon size results, use a 256 bit .ico (Icon) file in Vista.

D) Navigate to where you have the icon saved. (See screenshot below)

E) Select the icon and click on Open.

F) Click on OK to apply. (See screenshot from step 4 above)

4. To Restore the Default Folder Icon -
A) Click on the Restore Defaults button. (See screenshot below step 3A)

That's it,
Shawn

Murska · 04-01-2008

Eh. My Vista suddenly changed every single normal folder icon into the 'unknown filetype' icon, and I'd like to know if there's a way to change them all back instead of manually changing them one by one?

**Brink** · 04-01-2008

Hi Murska,

Welcome to Vista Forums.

Did you install or change anything that you can remember before this happened?

For now, here are some options to consider to see if they can fix the icons:

1. You might try rebuilding the icon cache to see if that helps. This will show you how if needed.

Icon Cache - Rebuild

2. Do a System Restore.

System Restore - How to

3. Run a Repair install.

Repair Install For Vista

Shawn

**alexanderd** · 05-21-2008

i like the style in which the tutorials are written easy to follow and you cater for allsorts of idiots.
well here one dumb question??
I am using windows vista Zip, i would like to change the Icon which always seems to get lost for a more identifiable Icon.

WinZip have the right idea. you look and find it straight off.

**Brink** · 05-21-2008

Hi Alexanderd,

Welcome to Vista Forums.

You will only be able to change file extension type icons by using some 3rd party program to it like Stardock Icon Packager.

A easy way of doing is to use a 3rd party ZIP program like 7-Zip instead. It'll change the icon to something that stands out better, plus it supports a lot more file formats (ex: RAR).

7-Zip

Hope this helps,
Shawn

**alexanderd** · 05-21-2008

	Quote:	Brink
	Hi Alexanderd, Welcome to Vista Forums. You will only be able to change file extension type icons by using some 3rd party program to it like Stardock Icon Packager. A easy way of doing is to use a 3rd party ZIP program like 7-Zip instead. It'll change the icon to something that stands out better, plus it supports a lot more file formats (ex: RAR). 7-Zip Hope this helps, Shawn

7-Zip looks good but not what i wanted, it would change all the icons at once. can you suggest another program where i can change the one icon?

**Brink** · 05-21-2008

Alexanderd,

You can only do this from within Vista if you create a shortcut from the ZIP file and change it's folder icon. Otherwise, it will be all ZIP folder icons changed or none.

Sorry,

Shawn

Zhang's Home Premium · 07-30-2008

just joined this forum, thanks to My Computer.
the problem is the icons "sticking" to two specific CDs. I put in:-
a)Photoshop installation CD in my DVD drive (E)
b)printer driver installation CD in my CD drive (F)
so after installing the photoshop and printer driver, i wanted to add in updates into the CD but turns out it's a mastered or something CD
after restart PC, then the icons for the CDs stuck there when the CDs are inside the drives even if I switch the CDs places; but if change to other CD, then no problem for the new CD, but if change back then problem again.
need help fixing it and i can't find the change icon button

**alexanderd** · 07-30-2008

try this link and look for Icon Phile it could help
Old Good Freeware
Have fun

**Brink** · 07-30-2008

Hi Zhang,

By default, the CD/DVD drive icon will change according to the icon used by the CD/DVD inserted into the drive. Some CD/DVD's will have their own icon while others do not and will just use the default icon Vista gives the CD/DVD drive. When you remove the CD/DVD, the the icon for the CD/DVD drive should return back to the default icon.

You can try Method Two in this tutorial to change the drive icon to whatever you like though.

Drive Icon Change

Hope this helps,
Shawn