The fastest 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, then OK again to save the change.
This method works for shortcuts on your desktop, in your Start menu, or in your taskbar. It does not work for system files or program icons that are locked by Windows. For those, you will need a different approach.
The change takes effect when ready. You do not need to restart your computer.
Key Takeaways
- Desktop shortcuts and taskbar icons can be changed by right-clicking, opening Properties, and selecting Change Icon from the Shortcut tab.
- Windows includes hundreds of built-in icons in its system library, and you can browse through them all in one dialog box.
- If you want to use an icon from outside Windows, you can point to any image file on your computer, including .ico, .png, .jpg, or .bmp files.
- Changing an icon does not change the program itself or affect how it runs — it only changes what you see on screen.
- System files and locked program icons cannot be changed this way; you will need third-party icon-changing software for those.
Where Windows stores its built-in icons
When you click Change Icon, Windows opens a file browser pointing to C:\Windows\System32\shell32.dll by default. This file contains hundreds of icons that come with Windows. You can scroll through them all and pick any one without downloading anything or leaving Windows.
You can also browse to other system files that contain icons. Common locations include C:\Windows\System32\imageres.dll (images and media icons) and C:\Windows\System32\pifmgr.dll (older program icons). Type the full path into the file browser if you want to look in a specific file.
If none of the built-in icons suit you, you can point to any image file on your computer instead. Windows will convert .png, .jpg, .bmp, and other common image formats into an icon automatically.
Using your own image as an icon
When the icon browser opens, you can navigate to any folder on your computer and select an image file instead of using Windows icons. Click the file path at the top of the window and type a new path, or use the folder tree on the left to browse to where your image is stored.
Select the image file and click Open. Windows will use that image as the icon. If the image is very large or an unusual shape, it may look stretched or blurry when displayed at icon size, so smaller, simpler images usually work best.
You can also read icon packs from the internet. Save them to a folder on your computer, then point the icon browser to that folder. Many websites offer free icon collections in .ico format, which is designed specifically for icons and usually looks sharper than converted photos.
Changing icons for folders and files
Folders and regular files (like documents or images) cannot be changed the same way as shortcuts. Right-clicking a folder and opening Properties will not show a Change Icon button.
To change a folder icon, you must create a shortcut to that folder first, then change the shortcut's icon using the method described above. Right-click the folder, select Send to, then Desktop (create shortcut). A new shortcut will appear on your desktop. Right-click that shortcut, open Properties, and use Change Icon as normal.
If you want to change the icon for a file type (so all .txt files show a different icon, for example), you will need third-party software. Windows 10 does not include a built-in way to do this.
Why some icons cannot be changed
Program icons and system files are often locked by Windows to prevent accidental changes. If you right-click a program shortcut and the Properties window does not have a Shortcut tab or a Change Icon button, the icon is locked.
You can still change these icons using third-party software like IconChanger or Microangelo, but these programs require installation and may need administrator permission. For most users, changing desktop shortcuts and taskbar icons through the built-in method is enough.
If you change your mind about a custom icon, you can always change it back the same way. Right-click the icon, open Properties, click Change Icon, and select a different one.
Changing taskbar and Start menu icons
Icons pinned to your taskbar at the bottom of the screen can be changed the same way as desktop icons. Right-click the taskbar icon, right-click the program name that appears, select Properties, then click Change Icon on the Shortcut tab.
Start menu tiles are trickier. If the tile is a shortcut you created yourself, you can change it by right-clicking the tile, selecting Open file location, then changing the icon of the shortcut file that opens. If the tile is a built-in Windows app or a program installed through the Microsoft Store, you cannot change its icon without third-party software.
After you change an icon, it may take a few seconds to appear on screen. If it does not update, try refreshing your desktop by pressing F5.
Troubleshooting icon changes that do not work
If you change an icon and it does not appear, the most common reason is that Windows is still using a cached version of the old icon. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, find Windows Explorer in the list, right-click it, and select Restart. Your desktop will refresh and the new icon should appear.
If the icon still does not change, make sure you are right-clicking the correct file. Shortcuts have a small arrow in the corner of their icon; regular files and folders do not. Only shortcuts can be changed using the Properties method.
If you are trying to change a program icon and the Change Icon button is grayed out or missing, the program is locked by Windows or your administrator. You will need to use third-party software or contact your system administrator for permission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the icon of a program I installed?
Only if you create a shortcut to it first. Right-click the program in your Start menu, select Open file location, right-click the program file, select Send to > Desktop (create shortcut), then change the shortcut icon. The original program icon will stay the same, but your shortcut will have a new icon.
What image formats work for custom icons?
Windows accepts .ico, .png, .jpg, .bmp, .gif, and several other formats. The .ico format is designed for icons and usually looks best, but any image file will work. Very large images may look blurry when shrunk to icon size.
If I change an icon, does it affect the program or file itself?
No. Changing an icon only changes what you see on screen. The program runs exactly the same way, and the file contents do not change. You can change the icon back anytime by using the same method.
Why did my icon change back to the original after I restarted?
Some programs reset their own icons when they update or restart. If this happens, you may need to change the icon again after each update, or use third-party icon-locking software to prevent the program from overwriting your choice.
Can I change the icon for all files of one type at once?
Not through Windows 10's built-in settings. You would need third-party software to change file type icons. Changing individual shortcuts or folders one at a time is the only method Windows provides.