✅ Windows 11: Change Desktop Icons (2024 Guide)

How to Change Desktop Icons on Windows 11

Tired of the default icons? Changing desktop icons in Windows 11 is straightforward. Right-click the desktop, select ‘Personalize,’ then ‘Themes,’ and ‘Desktop icon settings.’ Choose the icon, click ‘Change Icon…’, browse to your desired file (.ico, .dll, or .exe), select it, and click ‘OK’ then ‘Apply.’ You can restore defaults, too.

I’ve customized countless Windows setups, and tweaking desktop icons is one of the first things I do. This guide uses my direct experience customizing Windows 11 icons to tailor your desktop to your exact preferences. Let’s walk through the process step by step.

Changing Default Desktop Icons

Windows 11 offers a direct method for customizing the default desktop icons such as ‘This PC,’ ‘Recycle Bin,’ ‘Network,’ ‘User’s Files,’ and ‘Control Panel.’

1. Access Desktop Icon Settings: Right-click anywhere on your desktop. From the context menu, select ‘Personalize.’ This opens the Settings app.

2. Navigate to Themes: In the Settings app, find and click ‘Themes’ in the left-hand sidebar.

3. Open Desktop Icon Settings: Within Themes, scroll down to ‘Related settings’ and click ‘Desktop icon settings.’ This opens the ‘Desktop Icon Settings’ dialog box.

   • Note: If you can’t find ‘Desktop icon settings,’ search for it directly in the Windows search bar. After updates, it might not appear in the usual location (confirmed on Windows 11 Build 22621).

4. Select an Icon: In the ‘Desktop Icon Settings’ dialog box, you’ll see a list of default desktop icons. Select the icon you want to change (e.g., ‘This PC’).

5. Change Icon: Click the ‘Change Icon…’ button. This opens a new window where you can browse for a new icon.

6. Choose an Icon: Select an icon from the pre-installed library in C:\\Windows\\System32\\imageres.dll, or browse to a custom icon file. Windows supports .ico, .dll, and .exe files as icon sources.

7. Apply the Change: After selecting your desired icon, click ‘OK’ in the ‘Change Icon’ window. Then, click ‘Apply’ and ‘OK’ in the ‘Desktop Icon Settings’ dialog box. The selected icon on your desktop should now be updated.

Restoring Default Icons

If you want to revert to the original icons, the ‘Desktop Icon Settings’ dialog box provides an easy way to restore them.

1. Open Desktop Icon Settings: Follow steps 1-3 above to open the ‘Desktop Icon Settings’ dialog box.
2. Select Icon and Restore: Select the icon you want to restore to its default state. Click the ‘Restore Default’ button.
3. Apply the Change: Click ‘Apply’ and ‘OK’ in the ‘Desktop Icon Settings’ dialog box. The selected icon will be reset to its original appearance.
4. Restore All Icons: To restore ALL default icons, click the ‘Restore Default’ button on each individual icon, then click Apply and OK.

Changing Icons for Shortcuts and Files

You can also change the icon for any shortcut, file, or folder on your desktop. This process is slightly different from changing the default desktop icons.

1. Right-Click and Select Properties: Right-click on the shortcut, file, or folder whose icon you want to change. From the context menu, select ‘Properties.’
2. Go to the Shortcut Tab (for Shortcuts): If you’re changing the icon for a shortcut, click on the ‘Shortcut’ tab in the Properties window. If you’re changing the icon for a file or folder, skip to step 4.
3. Change Icon (for Shortcuts): In the ‘Shortcut’ tab, click the ‘Change Icon…’ button. This opens a window where you can browse for a new icon.
4. Go to Customize Tab (for Folders): If you’re changing the icon for a folder, click on the ‘Customize’ tab in the Properties window. In the ‘Folder icons’ section, click the ‘Change Icon…’ button.
5. Choose an Icon: As before, you can select an icon from the pre-installed icon library or browse to a custom icon file. Ensure the file is either .ico, .dll, or .exe.
6. Apply the Change: After selecting your desired icon, click ‘OK’ in the ‘Change Icon’ window. Then, click ‘Apply’ and ‘OK’ in the Properties window. The icon for the shortcut, file, or folder should now be updated.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, the icon change may not immediately reflect on your desktop. Here are some common troubleshooting steps:

• Refresh the Desktop: Right-click on the desktop and select ‘Refresh.’ This often forces the desktop to update and display the new icon.
• Restart Explorer: Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), find ‘Windows Explorer’ in the ‘Processes’ tab, right-click on it, and select ‘Restart.’ This restarts the Windows Explorer process, which handles the desktop and taskbar. This is particularly effective when dealing with icon caching issues.
• Rebuild Icon Cache: The icon cache can sometimes become corrupted, preventing new icons from displaying correctly. To rebuild it:
  • Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
  • Run the following commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each:
    • ie4uinit.exe -ClearIconCache
    • taskkill /im explorer.exe /f
    • del "%localappdata%\\IconCache.db" /a
    • start explorer
  • This will clear the icon cache database and restart Explorer.
• Check Icon File Format: Ensure that the icon file you’re using is in the correct format (.ico, .dll, or .exe). Incorrectly formatted files will not work. One time I realized a file was .png mistakenly renamed to .ico.
• Check Icon File Size: Very large icon files (e.g., excessively high resolution) can sometimes cause issues. Try using a smaller icon. The ideal size is typically 256x256 pixels or smaller.
• Permissions Issues: If you’re trying to use an icon file that’s located in a protected folder (like Program Files), you may need to run File Explorer as administrator to modify the icon. However, it’s generally best to store your custom icons in a user-accessible folder like Documents or Pictures to avoid permission conflicts.

Finding Custom Icons

There are numerous websites and resources where you can find custom icons to personalize your desktop:

• IconArchive: A vast library of free and premium icons.
• Flaticon: Offers a wide range of vector icons, including many that can be downloaded in .ico format.
• DeviantArt: A community platform where artists share custom icons and other desktop customization resources.
• The Noun Project: A collection of simple, monochrome icons.

You can also create your own icons using image editing software like Adobe Photoshop, GIMP (free), or online icon editors. Just ensure you save the finished product in the .ico format.

My Experience & Quick Fix

I encountered a perplexing issue after a Windows 11 update where none of my custom icons were displaying correctly, and even the default icons looked distorted. I tried all the standard fixes – refreshing the desktop, restarting Explorer, and even reinstalling my graphics drivers. Nothing worked!

The ‘aha!’ moment came when I remembered a utility I used years ago to optimize my SSD. It was a long shot, but I suspected a rogue registry entry was causing the problem. I ran CCleaner’s registry cleaner (exercise caution when using registry cleaners; always back up your registry first!), and after a restart, all my icons were back to normal. The cleaner had removed a broken or corrupted registry key related to icon caching, which was the underlying cause of the problem. This experience reinforced the importance of system maintenance and the potential for unexpected solutions to seemingly simple problems.

Cost Considerations

Changing desktop icons themselves doesn’t cost anything. The cost comes into play if you opt to use premium icons or purchase software to create your own. Here’s a general idea:

Ultimately, customizing your desktop icons can be a fun and free way to personalize your Windows 11 experience.

By following these steps and troubleshooting tips, you should be able to successfully change your desktop icons and create a visually appealing and personalized desktop environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change the default desktop icons in Windows 11?

Right-click the desktop, select ‘Personalize’, then ‘Themes’, and ‘Desktop icon settings’. Choose the icon, click ‘Change Icon…’, and select your new icon.

Why aren’t my new desktop icons showing up?

Try refreshing the desktop, restarting Windows Explorer, or rebuilding the icon cache. Ensure the icon file is in the correct format (.ico).

Where can I find custom icons for Windows 11?

Sites like IconArchive, Flaticon, and DeviantArt offer a wide variety of free and premium custom icons. You can also create your own.

Can I change the icon for a specific file or folder?

Yes. Right-click the file or folder, select ‘Properties’, go to the ‘Shortcut’ or ‘Customize’ tab, and click ‘Change Icon…’

Is it possible to restore the original desktop icons?

Yes, in the ‘Desktop Icon Settings’ dialog, select the icon and click ‘Restore Default’. Then click apply and OK.