This journal will show you how to apply icons on your Windows Vista system and will cover various types of icons and provide tips on changing system icons.


Icon file format (.ico)


These are the standard icons that you may experience.
The following steps will show you how to apply them:

1. Download the icons (if already downloaded skip to 2).

2. Once downloaded extract the icons (if compressed in a zip/rar file otherwise go on to step 3) using a decompression utility such as Winzip or Winrar. Extract the icons to a directory such as "Hard drive > windows > icons" or any directory you wish.


3. Next, locate the folder or shortcut who's icon you wish to change. Right click on this folder/shortcut and select "Properties" in the menu that appears.

4. Wait for the Properties dialog window to open.


Depending on whether you are changing a folder or shortcut icon follow the correct instructions below:

a. Changing folder icon:



5a. In the Properties dialog window select the "Customize" tab at the top. When this tab opens click "Change Icon...".

6a. A new dialog window will appear. Click "Browse" at the top and navigate to where you extracted the icons.

7a. Select the icon you wish to use and select "OK". This will return you to the Properties dialog window, click "OK" again.


8a. You will be returned to My Computer/Windows Explorer/Desktop you started from with a shiny new icon instead of your old boring folder icon.



b. Changing shortcut icon:


5b. In the Properties dialog window ensure the "Shortcut" tab at the top is selected. In this tab click "Change Icon...".


6b. A new dialog window will appear. Click "Browse" at the top and navigate to where you extracted the icons.

7b. Select the icon you wish to use and select "OK". This will return you to the Properties dialog window here click "OK" again.

8b. You will be returned to My Computer/Windows Explorer/Desktop you started from with a shiny new icon instead of your old boring shortcut icon.

Icon Library file format (.icl)

These are packaged icons, however they can be readily accessible by Windows.
The following steps will show you how to apply them:

1. Download the icons (if already downloaded skip to 2).

2. Once downloaded extract the icons (if compressed in a zip/rar file otherwise go on to step 3) using a decompression utility such as Winzip or Winrar. Extract the icons to a directory such as "Harddrive > windows > icons" or any directory you wish.


3.Next, locate the folder or shortcut who's icon you wish to change. Right click on this folder/shortcut and select "Properties" in the menu that appears.

4. Wait for the Properties dialog window to open.


Depending on whether you are changing a folder or shortcut icon follow the correct instructions below:

a. Changing folder icon:



5a. In the Properties dialog window select the "Customize" tab at the top. When this tab opens click "Change Icon...".

6a. A new dialog window will appear. Click "Browse" at the top and navigate to where you extracted the icon library.

7a. You most likely will not see the icon library at first as you must change file type setting. To do is find the words "Files of type:" at the bottom of the window.


8a. Once you have found that click on the small down facing arrow in the form next to the words "Files of type:". In the drop down menu that appears select "All Files". This will now enable you to see the icon library you downloaded.

9a. Double click the icon library. This will open a new dialog window with icons in it. Select the icon you want to use and click "OK".

10a. This will bring you back to the Properties dialog window, click "OK" here.

11a. You will be returned to My Computer/Windows Explorer/Desktop you started from with a shiny new icon instead of your old boring folder icon.


b. Changing shortcut icon:


5b. In the Properties dialog window ensure the "Shortcut" tab at the top is selected. In this tab click "Change Icon...".

6b. A new dialog window will appear. Click "Browse" at the top and navigate to where you extracted the icon library.

7b. You most likely will not see the icon library at first as you must change file type setting. To do is find the words "Files of type:" at the bottom of the window.


8b. Once you have found that click on the small down facing arrow in the form next to the words "Files of type:". In the drop down menu that appears select "All Files". This will now enable you to see the icon library you downloaded.

9b. Double click the icon library. This will open a new dialog window with icons in it. Select the icon you want to use and click "OK".

10b. This will bring you back to the Properties dialog window, click "OK" here.

11b. You will be returned to My Computer/Windows Explorer/Desktop you started from with a shiny new icon instead of your old boring shortcut icon.

Changing tricky icons


I often get questions about changing icons such as My Documents, Recycle Bin, My Computer and file types (such as image files).

This section will show you two main ways to make icon changes to these tricky shortcuts/folders/files:

From the desktop

This method allows you to change the icons for My Computer, My Documents, My Network Places, and Recycle Bin only.


1. Right-click on the desktop and in the pop up menu select "Personalize".

2. The "Personalization" window will open. To left there will be a (colored) column, the second option in this column is "Change desktop icons", click it.

3. The "Desktop Icon Settings" window will open.

4. In the middle of the window there is a box that shows My Computer, Documents (uses your user name), Network, Recycle Bin (full) and Recycle Bin (empty).
Select the item you want to change and click "Change Icon..." below it.


5. In the new "Change Icon" window click "Browse...", at the top, and navigate to your icons.

6. Once you have selected the icon click "Open", at the bottom right.


7. Click OK.

8. If you want to change another icon follow from step 5 again, otherwise click OK in the "Desktop Items" window.
Then OK again in the "Display Properties" window.



Using a program


Some items, such as file types, are impossible to change using Windows Vista.

There are numerous programs out that are able to change these tricky icons, however at this time most are not yet Vista compatible.

One key program that is Vista compatible is IconPackager.
</i>_{(IconPackager has a free trial, however the full version must be purchased)}</i>

Icon changing programs are also useful for changing large numbers of icons at one time.

Depending on the program you are using consult its respective help files to learn how to use it as each varies greatly.

(# Note: I intend on updating this list as more programs [especially free programs] become Vista compatible.)

Questions and Comments?


If you have any questions or comments post them below and I will try to answer them.
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