How to Customize the Icons on Your Windows PC

Icons on your Windows PC make it easy to identify programs or apps. Although icons serve their purpose, they can become boring over time. Luckily, Windows allows you to easily customize your app or program icons.

If you want to update the look of icons on your Windows PC, there are several ways to do it without causing any issues. We recommend creating a restore point for your Windows PC before making any changes.

How to Change the Default Icons to the In-built Windows Icons

The default Icons of a PC include what you typically see on your Desktop: Folder, File Type, etc. You can customize these icons using the Personalization Setting on Windows 10.

1. Changing the Default Icons on a Windows Desktop

For all Windows PCs, the default desktop apps include Computer, User’s Files, Recycle Bin, Network, and Control Panel. The Icons for these desktop apps can be changed using the steps below.

Step 1: Launch the Settings app on your PC.

Step 2: Select the Personalization option.

Step 3: Select the Themes Option.

Step 4: Scroll down to the Desktop icon settings.

Step 5: Select the Desktop Icon to be changed.

Step 6: Click the Change Icon button.

Step 7: A window with built-in Windows icons should come up. Choose any of them or click Browse to use other icons.

After completing the steps above, the new Icon should appear in the taskbar, desktop, or File Explorer, depending on the location. To revert the icon to its original state, follow steps 1 to 5 above. Click “Restore Default” and the icon should return to its default setting.

2. Changing the Default Icon in a Folder

The Icon of a Folder can be customized using the following steps:

1. Select the folder and right-click on it.

Step 2: Select Properties and a new window should open.

Step 3: On the window, select the Customize tab and click the Change Icon button.

Step 4: Open a window with built-in Windows icons. Choose one or browse for other icons.

Step 5: Select the preferred Icon and click OK to save changes.

The folder should now have the new icons. To revert back to the previous Icon, repeat steps 1 to 3 and select Restore Default.

3. Changing the Default Icon on a File Type

All files of the same type have the same icon. For example, all Word documents have the same icon. You can change the icon for all files of the same type. To change the file type icon, you need a third-party tool.

Step 1: Download the File Types Manager tool from Nirsoft.

Step 2: Launch and run the application, then locate the file type by pressing Ctrl + F.

Step 3: List of file types will appear. Double-click the file type. Another window will open with more options.

Step 4: Click the ellipsis button next to the Default Icon field.
Step 5: Choose the preferred icon in the new dialog box.

Step 6: Save changes by selecting OK.

To restore File Icons to default settings, follow the same steps above.

The icons on Windows PC offer limited options. You can create your own using any of the methods below.

Download Icons from Third-Party Websites

It is possible to use icons from third-party websites if you’re not impressed with the built-in icons. Follow the steps below:

Step 1: Search for icons on Icon-Icons or similar websites.

To make your preferred icons usable on Windows, download them in ICO formats.

Step 3: Right-click on the program and select Properties.

Step 4: Click the Change Icon button.

Step 5: Click Browse and search for the downloaded icons.

Step 6: Select the icon and click Open.

Step 7: Apply and save changes.

Creating Icons Using Microsoft Paint

Step 1: Open Microsoft Paint.

Step 2: Create an icon using Shapes on Microsoft Paint or paste an image.

Save the image with a preferred name.

Before using the provided text as an Icon file, convert it to an ICO file using a third-party app like Icoconvert.

Step 5: Convert the image and follow the steps in Methods 1 to 3 above to change your Icons.

Change the Look

Customizing your PC icons is simple with any of the methods mentioned above. In addition to your folder, desktop, and file type icons, you can also customize your drive icons. Explore more ways to personalize your Windows 10 PC.