How to change a folder icon: instructions and tips. Changing the shortcut icon in Windows

Shortcuts on the desktop Windows desktop 7 are used for quick launch installed applications. They contain the path to executable file and let you get started with just a click of the mouse. This convenient and practical tool is customizable: you can change the icon size, remove arrows, or completely change the displayed icon using system tools or third party applications.

What are Windows 7 shortcuts and where are they located?

Almost every program installed on a computer with Windows 7 offers to place its icon on the desktop surface. Having agreed, the user discovers a new icon on the monitor, by clicking on which you can download the designated application.

Not everyone remembers that a shortcut is only a link, and not the executable module itself. So when inexperienced users they confuse the icon with the program, for example, trying to erase it, deleting the icon, nothing significant happens. The application is in the same location and is fully functional, although it can now only be launched by going to the appropriate directory.

A small number of shortcuts are pinned to the taskbar. This allows the user to launch the most frequently used applications with one click, without having to minimize other windows, since the taskbar remains visible with almost all programs running.

To see where the shortcut is physically stored on the disk, you need to right-click on the icon and find the “Properties” item in the pop-up list. Then in the composite window of the same name that appears, go to the “General” tab. The path to the shortcut is indicated in the “Location” line.

If you need to find the location of a shortcut pinned to the taskbar, the path will be one click longer. By pressing the right button on the icon, you need to select the name of the application to be launched and press the same key again.

Further actions are similar.

It's easy to notice that the shortcuts are located in just a few places:

C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar;
C:\Users\[Username]\Desktop;
C:\Users\Public\Desktop.

The first path leads to the directory that stores shortcuts on the taskbar, and the second points to the desktop icons of a specific user.

It must be remembered that AppData folder is hidden. To see it, you need to configure Explorer to display invisible elements.

The third directory refers to desktop icons common to all registered users.

How to reduce or increase

At the same resolution, the physical dimensions of screens can differ significantly. It is clear that on a large display you can reduce the “pixel” size of icons, freeing up space on the desktop, and on a small display, on the contrary, you can increase it to visually enlarge the shortcuts. There are several ways to do this, but you need to remember that sometimes after changing the size, the icons are arranged “on a grid”, that is, it will be necessary to group them again.

How to resize using desktop settings

If everything was done correctly, the size of the labels will immediately change in accordance with the choice made.

Use the scroll wheel to adjust the dimensions

In order not to limit your choice to just three options, you can fine-tune the size of the icons.

Open the desktop.
Press and hold any of the Ctrl keys.
Scroll the mouse wheel up and down to increase or decrease the size of the labels accordingly.

This method is very visual - the icons change size before your eyes.

Video: How to make small icons on the Windows 7 desktop

How to remove the arrow from labels or return it

Not everyone likes the arrows drawn on shortcuts in Windows 7. The developers did not provide simple system tools for removing them, so it is necessary to make changes to the registry. This is worth doing if you are a confident PC user.

Making changes manually

Press the combination Win+R on the keyboard.
In the input line of the “Run” window that appears, type the command to call the registry editor regedit.
Press Enter or the “OK” button in the window and open the editor.
Going through the list of directories located on the left side of the window, we find the folder HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile.
The right side of the window displays a list of parameters. The one we need is called IsShortcut. Find it and right-click.
In the context menu that opens, find the “Rename” item located at the bottom.
If everything is done accurately, the parameter name will become available for editing (the cursor will blink). Change its name to IsNotShortcut.
Exit the editor and reboot. The arrows should disappear.

If in the future you want to add an image of arrows, it will be enough to repeat the same steps, returning the parameter to its previous name.

Editing system Windows registry 7 is permissible only for experienced users, since careless or unskilled actions can lead to malfunction of the operating system.

Aero Tweak program

There is a sufficient number specialized programs for thin Windows settings 7, called tweakers. Many of them are distributed free of charge, including those that serve to change appearance icons

Aero Tweak is not only free, but also requires no installation. It is enough to download it (for example, from the official website of the developer www.inf.ru) and run it from external media: flash drive or disk.

The option we need is in the tab Windows Explorer located on the left side of the window. We put a checkmark on “Do not show arrows on shortcuts”, exit the program and restart the computer.

How to remove shields

Unlike arrows, not every label is equipped with a shield. System service UAC (control accounts) denotes in this way applications and commands that run with administrative rights. In particular, this means the possibility of making changes to system settings or, for example, prohibiting a user from launching without appropriate permissions. The main task of UAC is to protect the system, so disabling the service, and with it the shields, is only recommended experienced users and on computers with an effective antivirus installed.

To disable the control service, use the system configuration editor.

Press the Win+R keyboard shortcut to open the “Run” window and type the msconfig command in the input line.
After the system configuration window has opened, go to the “Service” tab.
Find the line “User Account Control Settings” in the list and click the “Launch” on-screen button.
Now all that remains is to move the slider to the bottom position and save the parameter change by clicking OK.

The changes will take effect after you restart your computer. In order to return the shields, you need to repeat all the steps, but at the last step return the slider to its previous position.

How to change, including system ones

If you wish, you can not limit yourself to half measures, but completely change the icon, including those related to system utilities.

Changing shortcuts for installed applications

To change the icon on the desktop, you need to go to its properties again using the right mouse button. This time we are interested in the “Shortcut” tab, in which there is an on-screen button “Change icon” at the bottom.

The small “Change Icon” window by default provides a list of shortcuts stored in the installed package file. Select the one you like and click OK.

Strictly speaking, it is not at all necessary to designate a program with a label prepared by its publisher. You can select an icon located in another file. To do this, click the “Browse” on-screen button in the same window and use Explorer to select the desired storage location with a different list of pictures. Other options are now available.

How to change system icons

In order to replace a label, for example, Recycle Bins, you need to do things a little differently.

In the search bar, which opens after pressing the on-screen “Start” or Win button on the keyboard, type the query: “Personalization”. Go to the top active tab in the results.
On the left side of the large window that opens there are several active links. Select "Change desktop icons".
The small Desktop Icon Settings window contains all available system shortcuts. Select the one you want to change and press the “Change icon” on-screen button.
The system will show all available shortcuts available in the corresponding Windows directory 7. All that remains is to select the one you need and click OK.

How to hide or remove completely

Shortcuts, although very convenient tool, occupy a significant part of the desktop space and cover screen saver. We must also not forget about security considerations, because it is not always worth showing the applications installed on your computer to a casual viewer.

Fortunately, to solve these problems it is not necessary to delete the icons, just temporarily disable their display on the desktop.

If you need to delete a specific shortcut located on the desktop, then this can be done using standard Windows tools 7:

How to recover deleted ones and why they disappeared from the desktop

Deleted in the usual way the labels are placed in the Trash. This makes it possible, if necessary, to restore them in the same order as the rest of the files. If the Recycle Bin was emptied or the icon was deleted without placing it in it (Shift+Del), then it will not be possible to restore it. You will have to re-create the shortcut or use a backup system restore point.

Shortcuts can disappear from the desktop without user intervention. In some cases, work is the reason malware, so don’t forget about reliable anti-virus protection.

But sometimes the operating system itself is the culprit. Windows 7 accepts a shortcut that points to a non-existent or inaccessible file as if damaged. As a rule, this approach is justified. A damaged icon may indicate incorrect remote program or a disconnected disk, that is, to be useless. The system checks itself weekly and removes such icons. However, sometimes a custom shortcut may link to a resource that is used less than once a week but is still needed. For example, on network storage, located in the office of a regular client. In this case, deleting the icon creates unnecessary difficulties.

The most in a simple way The solution to the problem is to reduce the number of icons on the desktop. If there are less than four of them, then Windows 7 will not delete even those that, in its opinion, are damaged. The remaining shortcuts can be placed in separate folders. The disadvantage of this method is obvious - you can rarely get by with just 4 shortcuts.

Another solution would be to disable the corresponding system function. Unfortunately, this can only be done with the entire service automatic elimination problems.

Type “Check computer status” in the search bar and go to the top active link in the results.
In the Action Center window, expand the “Maintenance” item and find the “Change troubleshooting settings” link.
Follow the link and get to the settings window. All that remains is to move the switch in the “Computer Maintenance” item to “Disable” and exit after clicking OK.

Service outage may cause unstable work system, so this method should be considered only as a temporary solution.

Editing shortcuts belongs to the interface settings area and is determined by the taste and tasks of the user. Windows 7 and tweakers provide various ways organization and icon changes, but some imply a decrease in the level of system security, so they should be used with caution.

In the new operating room Microsoft system redesigned each interface element and allowed the user to personalize the appearance of each of them. Desktop icons have also undergone changes. There are few people who want to get used to the new look of desktop icons when switching from Windows 7, so the developers took care of the function of replacing their icons. In this regard, let's look at how to change desktop icons in Windows 10 to your own or those present in the system.

The main icons are those that are displayed on the desktop immediately after installation operating system. In order to replace one of them, we perform the chain of actions below.

1. Call the “Options” menu using the keyboard shortcut Win→I.

2. Go to the personalization section.

3. Activate the “Themes” tab.

The above steps can be replaced by clicking on the “Personalization” item in the desktop context menu.

5. In the window of the same name, select the element whose icon should be changed and click “Change icon”.

6. Select the icon you like from those available in the system or specify your icon file in ico or dll format.

To do the latter, unpack the archive with icons, click on the “Browse” button and specify the location of the icon library.

7. Having replaced all the icons, click “Accept” and confirm the action.

Packages free icons can be downloaded from sourceforge.net/projects/openiconlibrary.

Can all shortcut icons be changed?

The icon of any desktop element, be it a system directory or a link to an application/directory, can be replaced with your own. The exception is files located in the "Desktop" directory, which belongs to the current account.

Let's look at the process of changing the appearance of an application shortcut (using the example of the popular Internet browser from Google).

1. Open context menu shortcut and click on the last item “Properties”.

The window can also be opened using the Alt+Enter key combination.

2. Activate the “Shortcut” tab.

3. Click on the “Change icon...” button located in the last row.

4. Indicate the icon you like from those proposed.

5. Click “OK” and save the new settings.

If you click “Browse”, you will be able to select any file with icons located on your PC and specify one of the pixel images packed in it in ico format as the application icon.

Replacing the directory icon

There are virtually no differences from specifying a new look for a shortcut and a folder.

1. Open the “Properties” window of the directory (applicable to any folder except system folders).

2. Activate the “Settings” tab.

3. In the “Folder Icons” form, click “Change icon...”.

4. Specify your or your favorite icon and save the changes.

How to create an icon yourself?

If you want to be original and not use other people's ideas, spend a few tens of minutes working on your own icons for the icons located on the desktop. The powerful IcoFX utility is best suited for this. You can download it from official resource pixabay.com. The same site contains thousands of freely available images that can be converted to ico files.

1. Launch the installed utility and open raster image, which will be the basis of the future icon.

Select the second item “Create an icon from the image”.

As a result, a pixelated version of the image with several sizes will open.

Unnecessary icon sizes can be removed; for example, 16×16 and 256×256 are unlikely to be needed by the average user.

2. Save the finished icon in ico format through the “File” menu.

Using the editor, you can easily create your own icon from virtually any digital image. It also allows you to apply additional effects and change the appearance of the original icon.

Resizing icons

You can reduce or increase the size of desktop icons in Windows 10 in the same way as in previous versions of the operating system.

You can enlarge or reduce icons on the Windows 10 desktop using the mouse wheel while holding it down. Ctrl key. Each rotation of the wheel in one direction or another changes the size of the icons by several pixels in the corresponding direction.

The second option for changing the icon size is as follows:

call the desktop context menu;
in the drop-down menu select “View”;
Click on the appropriate item to specify the size of the icons.

This way you can change the scale of icons in three positions: small, large and medium images. The function is necessary for selection optimal size icons for various conditions operation and monitor sizes.

Good day, dear readers.

Many users want their operating system to look unique. There are a lot of tools for this, including changing the wallpaper, window colors and adding widgets. Today I will tell you how to install icons on Windows 7 that are different from the standard ones. As is often the case, there are several methods that involve the use of standard tools and third-party programs.

This method allows you to change the appearance of individual documents. Moreover, everything can be done without programs - only built-in tools are used. You have the ability to connect files in the format *.ico. These can be existing or downloaded icons from the Internet.

It is important to note that this way you can only change the appearance of the shortcut.

There are several steps you need to take:

Changing the folder view( )

Changing the icon for a folder allows you to distinguish it from a number of others that are identical. We perform several movements:

This method also works on Windows 10. If you suddenly change your mind and decide to return everything as it was before, we go through the first four points from the list. And then select “ Restore Defaults" Clicking this button will restore standard icons.

IconPackager program( )

Among those who like to change the appearance of the operating system, the IconPackager utility is quite popular. Using the program you can quickly and easily select what you want:

If some individual elements were not taken into account in the pack, their appearance will remain the same.

Sometimes there are situations when you need to return icons back. To do this, select the file and click on “ Windows Default Icons By: Microsoft" And then click on “ Apply icon package».

Other applications( )

Some users encounter a situation where the tools listed above are not enough. So, for example, you want to select a file with the extension *.png, but you can only change to *.ico. There are other programs to solve the problem.

So, for example, AveIconifier 2 is a relatively small security. The application allows you to automatically and quickly convert files from one to another format.

If you intend to change more than one separate element, and immediately the collection, the IrfanView utility will come in handy.

However, in no case should you forget about the application. IconTo. The program is equipped with the ability to change the appearance of individual system objects. So, for example, you installed new icons for all folders. But you still want to highlight one directory among the rest. This is where this utility comes in handy. It is also worth saying that it is suitable not only for the operating system version seven from Microsoft, but also for Windows 8.

Updated – 2017-01-25

How to change a folder icon. Over time, a lot of work material accumulates on the Desktop - files and folders. It is better to put files in folders. Chances are you are doing just that. But there are quite a few folders. It happens that you look for a folder for several minutes, until your eyes are filled with light, and it lies right in front of your nose.

Is it possible somehow change folder icon to make it easier to find? It is possible and even necessary. And it will be easier to work, and your desktop will look prettier. To begin with, we will use what the system provides us, and later, when you learn how to download and install icons from the Internet yourself, change them to others.

Shortcuts, folders, icons - these are the most common accessories of any operating system. It is with their help that we can sort and embellish our computer life. Read about how to do this in the following articles:

Right-click on the folder you want to modify and select from the drop-down list Properties .

A window of the same name will open Properties. In it, go to the tab Settings, click on the button below Change icon… .

The following window will open Change folder icon… . In the window Select an icon from the following list: select the icon and press the button OK Apply, and then OK .

If you have already downloaded icon icons from the Internet, then press the button Review and look for the folder in which they are located.

Note

Usually on the Internet, icons are packaged in archives. This archive must be unpacked, otherwise you will not be able to install the icon.

Once you have found the folder and selected the icon file, click the button OK. In the next window, click the button Apply, and then OK .

As you can see, changing the folder icon is quite simple. But work becomes much more convenient. You will find the folder you need much faster. And such folders look much more interesting.

Video clip How to change the folder icon:

Welcome to my blog!
After reading this article, you will find out how to change icon in windows. When you customize a system for yourself, sometimes you want to make it beautiful and unique. Replacing icons is one of the options for customizing Windows.
The icon can be changed not only for a shortcut or directory, but also for elements such as “Trash”, “My Documents”, “My Computer” and “Network Neighborhood”.

How to change the My Computer icon in Windows XP.

To change icons for items such as “My Documents”, “Network Neighborhood”, “My Computer” in Windows XP, open the “Display Properties” window.

In this window, go to the “General” tab. Here in the top section, we can specify which icons should be displayed on the desktop and which should not.

Below you can change the icon for any element that we see. To do this, you need to select the element for which we want to replace the icon and click on the “Change Icon” button.

Then select new icon from those proposed.
You can also run the Desktop Cleanup Wizard here. To do this, click on the “Clean up desktop” button and follow the instructions.

How to change a folder icon in Windows XP.

For a folder in Windows, you can also select an original image. To change the folder icon, right-click on it and select “Properties”.

Go to the “Settings” tab. Here you can select a picture for the folder, which will be displayed as a thumbnail when viewing Explorer. You can also select any image for the folder here. For example, a camera for a folder with photos.

To do this, click on the “Change icon” button and select any one you like. Windows has its own collection of icons, but if you don’t like it, you can find any other icons on the Internet.

In Windows 7, replacing icons is slightly different from Windows XP. But everything changes just as easily.

How to change the My Computer icon in Windows 7.

To set a new icon for the “Computer”, “Network”, “Trash” elements in Windows 7, you need to open the “Desktop Icon Settings” window.

To do this, open the screen properties and select “Personalization”. Unfortunately, the youngest versions of this OS do not have such an item.

Then, in the left section of the new window, select “Change desktop icons.”
The new window will have only one tab, “Desktop Icons,” where you can specify which icons from the presented elements are displayed on the desktop.

And most importantly, here you can change the icon for any of these elements. Just highlight the desired element and click the “Change Icon” button
Alternatively, you can allow Windows themes change icons to your own.

If you don't like the standard icons, you can also install them from the Shell32.dll file, which is located in the directory: \Windows\System32\Shell32.dll.
Or install any other icon.

How to change folder icon in Windows 7.

To change the folder icon, go to the properties of the folder you need and go to the “Settings” tab.

Here you can also select a picture for the folder icon and change the icon itself. In order to change the icon, click on the “Change Icon” button and select any one you like. For example, for a folder with music, you can select the appropriate picture.

By default, we are offered to select an icon from the same Shell32.dll directory; if it does not suit you, you can upload your own icon images.

How to change a shortcut icon in Windows.

Changing the icon for a shortcut is the same for everyone Windows versions, so I'll tell you how to do this using Windows XP as an example.
To change the icon for a shortcut, right-click on it and select “Properties” from the menu.

Then open the “Shortcut” tab and click on the “Change Icon” button.

Select the new icon and click OK. If the standard set of icons does not suit you, then click on the “Browse” button and select any other icon.
I hope this article will help you understand how to configure icons on the desktop of your computer.

If your mouse suddenly fails and you need to work at the computer, then pointer control will help you.
Good luck!