How to Change Folder Icon in Windows 10: A General Guide

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Welcome to our article on how to change folder icon in Windows 10! Are you tired of the plain and boring yellow folder icons on your desktop? Want to add a personal touch to your files and folders? Changing folder icons is a simple and creative way to organize your files and express your unique style. In this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of changing folder icons on Windows 10 and provide tips and tricks to enhance your experience. Let’s get started!

Steps to change folder icon in Windows 10

Step 1: Choose a folder to customize

The first step to changing folder icons in Windows 10 is to select a folder that you want to customize. This can be any folder on your computer, such as your Documents, Pictures, or Downloads folder. Right-click on the folder and select “Properties” from the drop-down menu.

Step 2: Access the “Customize” tab

Once you have opened the folder’s Properties window, go to the “Customize” tab. Here, you will find options to customize the folder icon, optimize for a specific type of file, and set a template for the folder.

Step 3: Click on the “Change Icon” button

To change the folder icon, click on the “Change Icon” button. This will open a new window that displays a list of default icons provided by Windows 10.

Step 4: Choose a new icon

Select the icon that you want to use for your folder by clicking on it and then click “OK”. You can also upload your own icon by clicking on the “Browse” button and selecting an image file from your computer.

Step 5: Apply the new icon to the folder

After selecting the new icon, click “Apply” and “OK” to save the changes and apply the new icon to the folder.

Step 6: Refresh the folder

To see the new icon, you may need to refresh the folder. Right-click on the folder and select “Refresh” from the drop-down menu.

Step 7: Customize other folders

Repeat the above steps to customize other folders on your computer.

Step 8: Use third-party software for more options

If you want to customize your folder icons with more options and flexibility, you can use third-party software such as Folder Marker, Rainbow Folders, or IconPackager.

Step 9: Backup your files

Before making any changes to your folder icons or using third-party software, it’s important to backup your files to prevent any accidental loss of data.

Step 10: Troubleshoot issues

If you encounter any issues with changing folder icons, such as icons not showing up or errors during the process, you can troubleshoot these issues by checking if the file you selected is in the correct format and size, restarting your computer, or updating your graphics drivers.

Step 11: Restore default icons

If you want to restore the default icons provided by Windows 10, simply go back to the “Customize” tab in the folder’s Properties window and click on the “Restore Defaults” button.

Step 12: Experiment with different styles

Lastly, have fun experimenting with different styles and designs for your folders to create a personalized and organized desktop.

Tips and tricks for changing folder icons in Windows 10

Tip 1: Be creative and choose icons that reflect your personal style

Customizing folder icons is a great way to express your creativity and add a personal touch to your computer. Choose icons that reflect your personal style or interests to make your desktop more fun and unique.

Tip 2: Use high-quality images for custom icons

If you want to use your own images for custom folder icons, make sure to use high-quality images that are in the .ico file format and are 256×256 pixels or smaller.

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Tip 3: Organize folders by color

A fun way to organize your folders is to group them by color. Use different colored icons for different types of files or folders to make it easier to find what you’re looking for.

Tip 4: Experiment with icon sets

Icon sets are collections of icons that you can download and use to customize your folders. Try different icon sets to find the perfect style for your desktop.

Tip 5: Use keyboard shortcuts to refresh folders

Instead of right-clicking on a folder and selecting “Refresh” every time you want to see changes to the icon, use the keyboard shortcut F5 to quickly refresh the folder.

Tip 6: Customize folder templates

You can customize folder templates to set default values for new folders that you create. Go to the “Customize” tab in the Properties window of a folder and click on the “Change Icon” button to choose an icon for the template.

Tip 7: Use icons to label folders

Another way to organize your folders is to use icons to label them. For example, use a music note icon for your music folder or a camera icon for your photos folder.

Tip 8: Keep backups of your custom icons

To ensure that you don’t lose your custom folder icons, keep backups of the original icon files and save copies of new icons in a separate folder.

Tip 9: Customize your taskbar icons

In addition to folder icons, you can also customize taskbar icons in Windows 10. Right-click on a taskbar icon, select “Properties”, and click on the “Change Icon” button to choose a new icon.

Tip 10: Keep your desktop organized

Customizing your folder icons is an excellent way to organize your desktop, but it’s important to keep everything clean and clutter-free. Regularly delete files and folders that you no longer need and use folders and subfolders to stay organized.

We hope this article has helped you learn how to change folder icons in Windows 10 and provided you with useful tips and tricks for customization. Remember to have fun and express your creativity while keeping your desktop organized and functional.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Changing Folder Icon in Windows 10

Changing folder icons in Windows 10 can help you organize your files and folders visually. While it may seem like a small thing, it can make a big difference in how you work with your computer. However, there are both advantages and disadvantages to this process. Here are 10 pros and cons to consider before you change a folder icon in Windows 10.

Advantages (10)

  1. Improved organization: Changing folder icons can make it easier to visually differentiate between folders and subfolders.

  2. Personalization: Customizing folder icons allows you to personalize your computer and make it feel more like your own.

  3. Quick identification: With custom icons, you can quickly identify important or frequently accessed folders.

  4. Professional branding: Using custom icons can give your business a more professional appearance, particularly if you share files with clients or customers.

  5. Better accessibility: Custom icons can make it easier for users with visual impairments to navigate and find specific files.

  6. Convenient labeling: With custom icons, you can create a labeling system that’s more convenient for your specific needs.

  7. Greater control: Windows 10 allows you to customize icons and organize folders according to your preferences, giving you greater control over your files.

  8. Improved productivity: Custom icons and organization can help reduce the amount of time you spend looking for specific files, improving your overall productivity.

  9. Enhanced aesthetics: Custom icons can help make your computer look not only organized but also visually appealing.

  10. Better Focus: Custom folders and icons make it easier to prioritize tasks, keep focus on important tasks and eliminate visual distraction.

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Disadvantages (10)

  1. Time-consuming: Changing folder icons can be a time-consuming process, especially if you have a lot of folders and subfolders.

  2. Possible file corruption: If you’re not careful, changing folder icons can potentially cause file corruption and other issues.

  3. Compatibility issues: Custom icons may not display correctly on other computers or devices, which could cause compatibility issues when sharing files.

  4. Confusing for others: Custom folder icons may be confusing for others who are not familiar with your organization system.

  5. Overwhelming options: With so many options available for custom icons, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one and stick to it.

  6. Creative blocks: Designing custom icons can be challenging, particularly if you’re not a skilled graphic designer.

  7. Distractions: Custom icons and folder organization can be a distraction if you spend too much time tweaking them instead of actually working.

  8. Compatibility with other software: Some software may not be compatible with custom folder icons.

  9. Technical difficulties: If you’re not familiar with the process of changing folder icons, it can be difficult to troubleshoot technical issues that arise.

  10. Maintenance: Custom folder icons require maintenance and updates, which can be a tedious task.

FAQ

1. How can I change the folder icon in Windows 10?

You can change the folder icon in Windows 10 by following these steps:

  1. Right-click on the folder you want to change the icon of.
  2. Click on “Properties.”
  3. Click on the “Customize” tab.
  4. Click on the “Change Icon” button.
  5. Select the icon you want to use from the list or browse for the icon you want to use.
  6. Click on “OK.”

2. Can I change the folder icon for multiple folders at once?

Yes, you can change the folder icon for multiple folders at once by selecting all the folders you want to change the icon of, right-clicking on them, and following the steps listed above.

3. How can I create my own folder icon?

You can create your own folder icon by using an image editing software, such as Photoshop or GIMP, to create a new image that’s the same size as a standard folder icon (256×256 pixels), saving it as a .ICO file, and then using the steps listed above to change the folder icon.

4. What file types are supported for folder icons?

Windows 10 supports .ICO, .DLL, and .EXE file types for folder icons.

5. Can I use a picture as a folder icon?

Yes, you can use a picture as a folder icon by saving the picture as a .ICO, .DLL, or .EXE file type and then using the steps listed above to change the folder icon.

6. How can I reset the folder icon to its default?

You can reset the folder icon to its default by following these steps:

  1. Right-click on the folder you want to reset the icon of.
  2. Click on “Properties.”
  3. Click on the “Customize” tab.
  4. Click on the “Restore Defaults” button.
  5. Click on “OK.”

7. Can I change the icon for a specific file type?

Yes, you can change the icon for a specific file type by going to the “File Types” tab in the “Folder Options” menu and changing the icon for the file type you want to change.

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8. Can I change the icon for the Recycle Bin?

Yes, you can change the icon for the Recycle Bin by following these steps:

  1. Right-click on the desktop.
  2. Click on “Personalize.”
  3. Click on “Themes.”
  4. Click on “Desktop icon settings.”
  5. Select “Recycle Bin (full)” or “Recycle Bin (empty)” and click on “Change Icon.”
  6. Select the icon you want to use from the list or browse for the icon you want to use.
  7. Click on “OK.”

9. Can I change the icon for the This PC or Computer icon?

Yes, you can change the icon for the This PC or Computer icon by following these steps:

  1. Right-click on the desktop.
  2. Click on “Personalize.”
  3. Click on “Themes.”
  4. Click on “Desktop icon settings.”
  5. Select “Computer” or “This PC” and click on “Change Icon.”
  6. Select the icon you want to use from the list or browse for the icon you want to use.
  7. Click on “OK.”

10. Why can’t I change the folder icon?

There could be a few different reasons why you can’t change the folder icon. One reason could be that you don’t have permission to change the icon. Another reason could be that the file type you’re trying to use isn’t supported. Make sure you’re using a .ICO, .DLL, or .EXE file type.

11. Can I change the folder icon in Windows 7 or 8?

Yes, you can change the folder icon in Windows 7 or 8 by following similar steps to those listed above.

12. Can I change the folder icon in Mac OS?

Yes, you can change the folder icon in Mac OS by selecting the folder you want to change the icon of, pressing “Command + I” to open the “Get Info” window, clicking on the folder icon in the top-left corner of the window, and then dragging and dropping the new icon you want to use onto the existing folder icon.

13. Can I change the icon for a shortcut?

Yes, you can change the icon for a shortcut by right-clicking on the shortcut, clicking on “Properties,” clicking on the “Shortcut” tab, clicking on the “Change Icon” button, selecting the icon you want to use from the list or browsing for the icon you want to use, and then clicking on “OK.”

How to Change Folder Icon Windows 10

Windows 10 allows you to customize your folders in myriad ways, including changing the folder icons. Changing the folder icon in Windows 10 is easy and can make your folders stand out, so you can easily identify them without having to read the names. In this article, we will guide you on how to change folder icon in Windows 10.

Conclusion

In conclusion, changing folder icons in Windows 10 is not rocket science. With a few simple steps, you can customize your folder icons to your preference and make your folders stand out. Whatever reason you have for wanting to change your folder icons, whether for easy identification or just for fun, you can easily do it in Windows 10. So go ahead and personalize your folders, and make them uniquely yours!

Closing

We hope you found this article helpful on how to change folder icon Windows 10. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. Remember, changing folder icons is just one of the many ways you can customize your Windows 10 experience. Explore and experiment with different themes, wallpapers, and fonts to truly make your Windows 10 experience unique. Thank you for reading, and see you again soon!