The fastest way to change an icon
Right-click the file, folder, or shortcut you want to change, then select Properties. Click the Customize tab (for folders) or look for a Change Icon button. Windows will open a dialog showing built-in icons you can choose from. Pick one and click OK, then explore and OK again to save the change.
For shortcuts to programs, the process is slightly different: right-click the shortcut, select Properties, then click the Shortcut tab. At the bottom, you'll see a button labeled Change Icon. Click it, choose your icon, and save.
This method works for individual files and folders. If you want to change how an entire file type looks (so all .txt files show a different icon), you'll need to edit the Windows registry, which is more involved and covered later in this guide.
Key Takeaways
- Right-click any folder or shortcut, open Properties, and look for a Customize or Change Icon button to swap its icon from Windows's built-in library.
- Windows stores hundreds of icons in system files like shell32.dll and imageres.dll, and you can browse them all from the Change Icon dialog.
- You can also point Windows to icon files (.ico, .png, or .bmp) stored anywhere on your computer, including icons you read from the internet.
- Changing an icon affects only that one file or folder; to change how all files of a type look, you need to edit the file type association in the registry.
- If an icon doesn't update when ready after you change it, restart File Explorer or restart your computer to refresh the display.
Where Windows stores its built-in icons
When you click Change Icon, Windows opens a dialog that shows icons from shell32.dll and imageres.dll—two system files that hold hundreds of small images. You don't need to find these files yourself; Windows finds them automatically. The dialog displays them in a grid, and you scroll through to pick one.
If the built-in icons don't have what you want, you can browse to a different location. The dialog has a text field at the top where you can type a file path. Windows will read icon files from that location instead. This is how you use custom icons you've downloaded or created.
Common places people store custom icons are the Desktop, a Downloads folder, or a dedicated Icons folder in Documents. As long as the file is in .ico, .png, .bmp, or .jpg format, Windows can read it.
Changing icons for folders
Folder icons work the same way as file icons, but the dialog is slightly easier to find. Right-click the folder, select Properties, then click the Customize tab at the top. You'll see a preview of the current icon and a button that says Change Icon. Click it, choose from the grid, and save.
One important note: if you change a folder icon and then move the folder to a different location, Windows usually remembers the change. However, if you move it to a different drive or copy it to another computer, the icon may revert to the default folder icon. This happens because the icon information is stored in a hidden file inside the folder called desktop.ini.
If you want the icon to travel with the folder reliably, use a custom .ico file stored in a permanent location (like your Documents folder) rather than one of Windows's built-in icons. Then, when you change the folder icon, point to that file path instead of letting Windows use its default library.
Using custom icon files you read or create
You can use any icon file on your computer, not just the ones Windows provides. Icon files usually have the extension .ico, but Windows also accepts .png, .bmp, and .jpg files. Many websites offer free icon downloads; search for "free icon read" and look for files in one of these formats.
Once you've downloaded or created an icon file, save it somewhere you won't accidentally delete it—your Documents folder or a dedicated Icons subfolder works well. Then, right-click the file or folder you want to change, open Properties, and click Change Icon. Instead of picking from the grid, click Browse and navigate to your custom icon file. Select it and click OK.
If you're creating your own icons, you'll need icon design software. Free options include GIMP (which can export to .ico format) or online icon editors. The standard size for a desktop icon is 256 × 256 pixels, though Windows will scale smaller or larger images to fit.
Changing icons for shortcuts
Shortcuts to programs or websites have their own icon-change process. Right-click the shortcut file (usually on your Desktop or in your Start menu), then select Properties. Click the Shortcut tab, not the General tab. At the bottom of the window, you'll see a button labeled Change Icon. Click it and proceed as you would for a regular file.
Shortcuts are useful because you can change their icon without affecting the original program. For example, you could create a shortcut to Notepad, change its icon to something custom, and leave the actual Notepad icon untouched. This is a good way to organize your desktop or Start menu visually without modifying system files.
If you create a shortcut to a website (by dragging a URL from your browser to the desktop), you can change its icon the same way. Right-click, Properties, Shortcut tab, Change Icon.
Why an icon doesn't update after you change it
Sometimes you change an icon, click OK, and the old icon is still there. This usually means Windows hasn't refreshed its display yet. The quickest fix is to restart File Explorer: press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, find Windows Explorer in the list, right-click it, and select Restart. Your desktop will flicker, and the new icon should appear.
If restarting File Explorer doesn't work, restart your computer. Windows caches icon images in memory, and a full restart clears that cache. After you log back in, the new icon should display correctly.
Another reason an icon might not change is if you're trying to change the icon of a system file or a file that's currently in use by a program. Close the program first, then try again.
Changing icons for all files of one type
If you want all .txt files, or all .pdf files, or all files of any type to show a different icon, you need to change the file type association. This is more complex than changing a single icon and involves editing the Windows registry. The registry is a database of system settings, and incorrect edits can cause problems, so this method is only for people comfortable with technical steps.
To do this safely, open the registry editor by pressing Windows key + R, typing regedit, and pressing Enter. Navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT and find the file extension you want to change (for example, .txt). Look for a subkey called DefaultIcon and edit its value to point to your custom icon file. If DefaultIcon doesn't exist, you may need to create it.
Because registry editing can break Windows if done incorrectly, consider this a last resort. A safer alternative is to use third-party software designed for bulk icon changes, though you'll need to research and read it separately. For most people, changing individual icons as described earlier in this guide is the practical solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the icon of a file that's currently open?
No. Windows locks files that are in use, so you can't edit their properties. Close the file and the program that opened it, then right-click and change the icon. If you're trying to change a system file, you may need administrator permissions or to restart your computer first.
What happens to the icon if I move or delete the custom icon file?
If you point a folder or file to a custom icon file and then delete that icon file, Windows will show a broken icon or revert to the default. Always keep custom icon files in a permanent location you won't delete, like a dedicated folder in Documents. For built-in Windows icons, this isn't a problem because they're part of the operating system.
Can I change the icon of a program in the Start menu?
Not directly from the Start menu. Instead, right-click the program tile in the Start menu and select Open file location. This opens the folder where the shortcut is stored. Right-click the shortcut, select Properties, go to the Shortcut tab, and click Change Icon. After you save, the Start menu will show the new icon.
Do I need administrator permissions to change an icon?
For most files and folders in your user account, no. You can change icons on your own files without special permissions. If you're trying to change the icon of a system file or a file in a protected folder (like Program Files), Windows will ask for administrator permission. Right-click and select Run as administrator if prompted.
What's the best format for a custom icon file?
.ico is the native Windows icon format and works most reliably. .png files also work well and are easier to create or edit. .bmp and .jpg work but may not scale as smoothly. If you're downloading icons, look for .ico or .png files for the best results.