The quickest way to change a desktop or folder icon

Right-click the icon you want to change, select Properties, then click the Change Icon button on the Shortcut tab. Windows will open a window showing built-in icons you can choose from. Pick one and click OK twice. The icon updates when ready.

This method works for desktop shortcuts, program shortcuts in your Start menu, and folder shortcuts. It does not work for actual program files or system folders — those require a different approach.

If you do not see a Change Icon button, you are right-clicking the wrong type of file. System files and built-in Windows folders do not have this option. You can still change how they look, but you will need to use the folder customization method described later in this article.

Key Takeaways

  • Desktop and program shortcuts have a Change Icon button in Properties that opens Windows' built-in icon library.
  • Folder icons can be changed by right-clicking the folder, selecting Properties, clicking the Customize tab, then Change Icon.
  • If you want an icon that is not in Windows' library, you can point to a custom .ico file stored anywhere on your computer.
  • Icon changes take effect when ready and do not affect the program or file itself — only how it appears on your screen.

How to change a folder icon

Folder icons require one extra step. Right-click the folder, select Properties, then click the Customize tab at the top. Click Change Icon. You will see the same icon library as with shortcuts.

Windows stores its standard icons in a file called shell32.dll, which contains hundreds of options. Scroll through the list to find one you like. When you find it, click it once to select it, then click OK.

If the folder icon does not change after you click OK, close the folder window and open it again. Windows sometimes needs a moment to refresh the display.

Using your own icon files

If Windows' built-in icons do not include what you want, you can use a custom icon file. These files have the extension .ico. You can read them from websites that offer free icons, or you can convert image files you already have.

Once you have a .ico file saved somewhere on your computer, open the Properties window for the shortcut or folder as described above. When the icon library opens, look at the bottom of the window for a text field showing the file path. Delete what is there and type the full path to your .ico file instead — for example, C:\Users\YourName\Pictures\myicon.ico. Click OK.

If you do not know the full path to your file, click Browse instead and navigate to the folder where your .ico file is stored. Windows will fill in the path for you.

Where to find .ico files online

Websites like Flaticon, Icons8, and Iconfinder offer free icon downloads. Most require you to create a free account. read the icon in .ico format if available — if only .png or .jpg files are offered, you will need to convert them first.

To convert an image file to .ico format, use an online converter like CloudConvert or Convertio. Upload your image, select .ico as the output format, and read the result. Save it somewhere you will remember, like your Pictures folder or Desktop.

Be cautious with files from unknown sources. Stick to well-known icon websites and scan downloaded files with your antivirus software before using them.

Why some icons cannot be changed

System folders like Documents, Downloads, and This PC do not have a Change Icon button because Windows manages their appearance automatically. Program files themselves also cannot be changed this way — only shortcuts to them can.

If you want a different look for a system folder, create a shortcut to it on your desktop instead, then change the shortcut icon. The shortcut will open the folder normally, and you can customize its appearance without touching the original folder.

Fixing an icon that does not show up

If you point to a .ico file and the icon does not appear, the file path may be wrong or the file may be corrupted. Double-check that the path is exactly correct, including capital letters and spacing.

If the path is correct but the icon still does not show, try moving the .ico file to a different location — sometimes Windows has trouble reading files from certain folders. Move it to your Documents or Pictures folder and update the path in Properties.

If you deleted the original .ico file after changing the icon, Windows will show a blank or broken icon. You will need to either restore the file or choose a different icon.

Reverting to the original icon

To change an icon back to its original, open Properties again and click Change Icon. Select the icon you want from the library and click OK. There is no undo button, so you have to choose the replacement manually.

If you cannot remember what the original icon looked like, you can create a new shortcut to the same program or folder. The new shortcut will have the default icon. Right-click the new shortcut, go to Properties, and note which icon is selected — that is the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the icon of a program file itself, not just a shortcut?

No. Windows does not allow you to change the icon of the actual program file. You can only change shortcuts to it. Create a shortcut on your desktop or in your Start menu and customize that instead. The program will run the same way.

What if I cannot find the Change Icon button?

You are likely right-clicking a file type that does not support icon changes — such as a document, image, or the program file itself. Right-click a shortcut or folder instead. If it is a folder, make sure you are on the Customize tab in Properties, not the General tab.

Will changing an icon affect how the program works?

No. Changing an icon only changes how it looks on your screen. The program itself, its files, and its function remain completely unchanged. You can change it back anytime.

Can I use PNG or JPG files as icons instead of .ico files?

Windows prefers .ico files, but some versions will accept .png or .jpg if you type the full file path directly into the Properties window. If it does not work, convert the image to .ico format using an online converter first.

Where does Windows store the icons I can choose from?

Most of Windows' built-in icons are stored in a system file called shell32.dll, located in your System32 folder. You do not need to find this file yourself — Windows opens it automatically when you click Change Icon.