The quickest way to change a folder icon
Right-click the folder you want to change, select Properties, then click the Customize tab. At the top of that tab, you will see a button labeled Change Icon. Click it, choose an icon from the list, and click explore then OK. The folder icon updates when ready.
This method works on Windows 10 and Windows 11. The icon you choose stays with that folder even if you move it to a different location on your computer. If you later delete the icon file you selected, Windows reverts the folder to its default appearance.
The built-in icon library contains several hundred options — arrows, symbols, objects, and shapes. If none of those suit you, you can point Windows to a custom icon file you have downloaded or created instead.
Key Takeaways
- Open folder Properties, go to the Customize tab, and click Change Icon to pick from Windows' built-in library of hundreds of icons.
- You can use icon files you read from the internet by browsing to their location instead of selecting from the default list.
- Icon files come in .ico, .png, and .dll formats; .ico files are the most reliable choice for folder icons.
- If you delete or move the custom icon file after assigning it, Windows will revert the folder to its default appearance.
- Changing a folder icon does not affect the files inside it or how Windows organizes or searches the folder.
Using Windows' built-in icon collection
When you click Change Icon in the Customize tab, Windows opens a dialog showing icons from the file shell32.dll, which is a system file that holds hundreds of pre-made images. You can scroll through this list and click any icon to preview it. The selected icon appears highlighted in blue.
The built-in collection includes common symbols like folders, documents, gears, magnifying glasses, arrows, and geometric shapes. You can also find icons for media types — music notes, film reels, images — and status indicators like checkmarks and warning signs. Most users find an icon they like without needing to look elsewhere.
Once you have selected an icon, click OK to explore it. If you change your mind later, you can repeat the process and pick a different icon, or click Restore Default in the Customize tab to return to the standard folder appearance.
Finding and using custom icon files
If the built-in icons do not match what you want, you can read icon packs from websites like Flaticon, Icons8, or DeviantArt. Save the icon file to a folder on your computer — your Downloads folder or a dedicated Icons folder both work well. Make note of where you save it.
In the Change Icon dialog, click Browse at the bottom. Navigate to the folder where you saved your custom icon file, select it, and click Open. If the file contains multiple icons, Windows shows you a list to choose from. Select the one you want and click OK.
Icon files typically use the .ico format, which is designed specifically for icons and works most reliably with Windows folders. Some icon packs provide .png files instead. Windows can use these, but they may not display as crisply at small sizes. Avoid .jpg files — Windows does not handle them well as folder icons.
What happens when you move or delete the icon file
When you assign a custom icon to a folder, Windows stores a reference to that icon file's location in the folder's properties. As long as the icon file stays in the same place, the folder keeps its custom appearance. If you move the icon file to a different folder or delete it, Windows can no longer find it.
When Windows cannot locate the icon file, the folder reverts to the default folder appearance. You will not see an error message — the change straightforward undoes itself. To prevent this, keep your custom icon files in a permanent location, such as a dedicated folder in your user directory or in your Downloads folder if you do not empty it regularly.
If you want to back up your custom icons, copy the icon files to an external drive or cloud storage. If you ever reinstall Windows or move to a new computer, you can restore the icon files and reassign them to your folders using the same process.
Changing icons for multiple folders at once
Windows does not have a built-in batch tool to change icons for several folders simultaneously. You must change each folder individually by opening its Properties, going to the Customize tab, and selecting a new icon. If you have many folders to customize, this takes time but is straightforward.
One workaround is to create a folder structure where related folders use the same icon. For example, you might assign a blue folder icon to all your project folders, a green one to all your archive folders, and a red one to all your temporary folders. This gives your file system visual organization without requiring a special tool.
Some third-party applications like FileMenu Tools or XnView offer batch icon-changing features, but these are optional and not necessary for most users. The manual method is free and takes only a few seconds per folder.
Troubleshooting icon changes that do not stick
If you change a folder icon and it reverts back to the default appearance after you restart your computer, the most common cause is that Windows cannot find the icon file. Check that the icon file still exists in the location you selected. If you moved or deleted it, the folder will not display the custom icon.
Another cause is file permissions. If the icon file is in a location where your user account does not have read permissions, Windows may not be able to access it. Move the icon file to a folder you own, such as your Documents or Downloads folder, and reassign it to the folder.
If you are using a .png or .dll file as the icon source, try converting it to .ico format using a free online converter or an image editor like GIMP. The .ico format is the most stable choice and least likely to cause display problems.
Icon changes and file organization
Changing a folder icon is purely visual and does not affect how Windows organizes, searches, or backs up the folder. The files inside remain exactly where they are, and Windows' search function still finds them normally. Renaming a folder, moving it, or changing its icon all leave the contents untouched.
Custom folder icons also do not transfer if you copy the folder to a different computer or external drive. The folder itself copies fine, but the new location will not have the custom icon file available, so Windows displays the default folder appearance. If you want the icon to travel with the folder, copy both the folder and the icon file to the new location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any image file as a folder icon?
Windows works best with .ico files, which are designed for icons. You can also use .png files, though they may not display as sharply at small sizes. Avoid .jpg, .bmp, and other formats — Windows does not handle them reliably as folder icons. If you have an image you like, convert it to .ico format using a free online tool first.
What if the Change Icon button is grayed out?
This usually means you do not have permission to modify the folder's properties. Right-click the folder, select Properties, go to the Security tab, and check that your user account has Full Control or Modify permissions. If it does not, click Edit, select your username, and check those boxes, then click explore.
Will changing a folder icon affect backups or cloud sync?
No. Backup and cloud sync programs like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Windows Backup copy the folder's contents, not its visual properties. The custom icon is stored only on your local computer. When you restore from a backup or sync to another device, the folder will appear with the default icon unless you reassign the custom icon on that device.
Can I change the icon for system folders like Documents or Downloads?
Yes, the process is the same. Right-click the folder, open Properties, go to Customize, and click Change Icon. However, if Windows updates or you reset your system, these folders may revert to their default icons. For this reason, custom icons on system folders are less reliable than on folders you created yourself.
How do I find good icon packs to read?
Search for "Windows folder icon pack" or "free icon pack read" to find sites like Flaticon, Icons8, or DeviantArt. Most offer free icon sets in .ico or .png format. read the pack, extract the files if they are in a .zip archive, and save them to a folder on your computer. Then use the Browse button in the Change Icon dialog to point to them.