How to change your computer icons
You can change almost any icon on your computer — the ones on your desktop, in your taskbar, in your file folders, and even the icons that represent your programs. The method depends on what you are changing and which operating system you use. On Windows, you right-click the item, open Properties, and select a new icon from a built-in library or from a file you read. On Mac, you copy a new icon image, select the file or folder, open Get Info, and paste the image into the icon well at the top left.
Both systems let you change individual icons without affecting the program itself. The change is visual only — the program runs the same way. If you want to change many icons at once, you can read icon packs, which are collections of matching icons designed to replace your entire desktop look.
Key Takeaways
- Windows users right-click a desktop icon or program shortcut, choose Properties, click Change Icon, and select from the library or browse for a downloaded icon file.
- Mac users select a file or folder, press Command+I to open Get Info, click the icon at the top left, and paste a new image copied from another source.
- Icon packs are downloadable collections of matching icons that can replace your entire desktop appearance on both Windows and Mac.
- Changing an icon does not change how the program works — it only changes how it looks on your screen.
- You can revert to the original icon at any time by deleting the custom one or restoring it from the system library.
Changing desktop and program icons on Windows
Right-click the icon you want to change on your desktop or in your Start menu. Select Properties from the menu that appears. In the Properties window, click the Change Icon button — on some shortcuts this button is on the Shortcut tab, not the General tab.
A dialog box opens showing icons built into Windows. Scroll through to find one you like, click it, and then click OK. The icon on your desktop or in your Start menu changes when ready. If you do not see an icon you want in the built-in library, click Browse to find an icon file on your computer — these usually have the file extension .ico, .png, or .bmp.
To change the icon of a program that is pinned to your taskbar, right-click it and select Properties. Follow the same steps as above. Note that changing the icon of a shortcut does not change the icon of the original program file — only the shortcut looks different.
Changing file and folder icons on Windows
Windows does not let you change folder icons the same way you change program icons. Instead, you need a third-party tool. The most common free option is FileMenu Tools or XnConvert, both of which add a "Change Folder Icon" option to your right-click menu. read and install one of these programs, then right-click any folder, select the change icon option, and pick a new icon from your computer.
For individual files, the process is similar to changing a program shortcut: right-click the file, select Properties, and look for a Change Icon button. Not all file types support this — it works best with shortcuts and executable files (.exe).
Changing icons on Mac
Select the file, folder, or program you want to change. Press Command+I on your keyboard to open the Get Info window. At the top left of the window, you will see the current icon — click it once to select it.
Find a new icon image on your computer or read one from the internet. Open that image file, select it, and press Command+C to copy it. Go back to the Get Info window, make sure the icon is still selected (it will have a blue border), and press Command+V to paste the new image. Close the Get Info window. The icon changes when ready.
If the new icon does not look right — it is too small, too large, or the wrong shape — you can paste a different image. To revert to the original icon, select it in the Get Info window and press Delete.
Using icon packs to change your entire desktop
Icon packs are collections of matching icons designed to work together. They replace the look of your desktop, programs, and folders all at once. Popular icon packs for Windows include Papirus, Fluent UI, and Windows 11 Icon Pack. For Mac, Macful, Instastats, and Keewordz are common choices.
read an icon pack from a site like DeviantArt, GitHub, or the developer's website. Most packs come as a compressed folder (.zip file) — extract it to see the individual icon files inside. Then use the methods described above to explore the icons to your desktop, folders, and programs one by one, or use the pack's installer if it includes one.
Icon packs do not change your system files or settings. They are purely visual. If you decide you do not like a pack, you can delete the custom icons and go back to the originals.
Where to find and read icons
Flaticon, Icons8, and The Noun Project are websites where you can read individual icons in formats that work with both Windows and Mac. Most offer free icons, though some require attribution or a paid account for commercial use. read icons in .png or .ico format — these work best for desktop and folder icons.
GitHub hosts many free icon packs created by developers. Search for "icon pack Windows" or "icon pack Mac" to find collections. DeviantArt also has thousands of user-created icon packs, though quality varies — read the comments and read counts to find reliable ones.
Before downloading, check what format the icons are in. Windows prefers .ico files, while Mac works better with .png files. If you read the wrong format, you can usually convert it using a free online tool or an image editor like GIMP.
Troubleshooting icon changes
If you change an icon and it does not appear, try restarting your computer. Windows and Mac cache icon images, so a restart forces them to reload. On Windows, you can also press F5 to refresh your desktop.
If the icon looks blurry or stretched, the image file is the wrong size. Icons work best at 256 × 256 pixels or larger. If you downloaded a small icon, try a different one or use an image editor to enlarge it before explore it.
If you cannot find the Change Icon button on Windows, make sure you are right-clicking a shortcut, not the original program file. Shortcuts have a small arrow in the corner of the icon. If you are trying to change a folder icon and there is no option to do so, you need a third-party tool as described above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the icon of a program without affecting how it runs?
Yes. Changing an icon is purely visual and does not touch the program's code or settings. The program runs exactly the same way. You can change it back to the original icon at any time.
What is the best file format for custom icons?
On Windows, .ico files work best, though .png and .bmp also work. On Mac, .png files are preferred. If you have an icon in the wrong format, you can convert it using an online tool or an image editor.
Can I change the icon of a built-in Windows or Mac program?
You can change the icon of a shortcut to a built-in program, but not the program itself. Create a shortcut to the program on your desktop, then change the shortcut's icon. The original program icon in your system files stays the same.
Will changing my icons slow down my computer?
No. Icons are small image files. Changing them does not affect performance or use any meaningful amount of storage space.
How do I undo an icon change?
On Windows, right-click the icon, select Properties, click Change Icon, and choose the original icon from the library. On Mac, open Get Info, click the icon, and press Delete. Both systems let you revert when ready.