In this detailed guide you will see how to change the icon of a folder, file and drive in Windows, with simple steps that any user can follow, even without experience.
1. How to change a folder icon in Windows
Changing the icon on a folder is especially useful when you have many folders with similar names or when you want to distinguish the most important ones. This helps you find what you're looking for faster and reduces confusion during everyday computer use.
Steps to change folder icon:
- 1. Right-click in the folder whose icon you want to change.
- 2. Select Properties of from the menu that appears.
- 3. In the window that opens, go to the tab Adjustment.
- 4. Press the button Icon change.
- 5. Choose one of the available icons or press Search to choose your own icon file with the extension . Ico.
- 6. Tap OK and then Application to save the changes.
The new icon will appear in the folder immediately. If you don't see it right away, close and reopen the window or refresh the desktop. This change does not affect the files in the folder, only its appearance.
Settings
✅ Advice: If you don't see the new icon right away, try refreshing Windows Explorer or signing out and back in to your account. This usually resolves the issue immediately.
2. How to change a file icon in Windows
Unlike folders, Windows doesn't allow you to directly change the icon on an individual file. However, there is a handy way to change the icon. all files of a specific typeFor example, you can change the icon for all text, image, or document files so they stand out more easily.
This change affects all files with the same extension, such as .txt, .mp3, .jpg ή . Pdf, and not just a file. It is an ideal solution if you want a clearer image and better organization on your computer.
Steps to change file type icon in Windows 11:
- 1. Download and install the free tool FileTypesMan, which allows you to manage file types securely.
- 2. Open the program and locate the file type you want to change, such as
.txt,.jpgή.pdf. - 3. Right-click on the file type and select Edit Selected File Type.
- 4. In the Default Icon, press the three-dot button (...) to open the icon selector.
- 5. Choose a new icon from the list or select your own file Ico from your computer.
- 6. Click OK and close the program. The changes are applied immediately.
If the new icon doesn't appear immediately after making the change, you can refresh Windows Explorer or restart your computer. This process is safe and won't affect your files or data.
✅ Advice: If the changes don't appear immediately, try restarting your computer or refreshing Windows Explorer, for example through Task Manager. This is usually enough for the new icons to appear correctly.
- It cannot be changed
PerceivedTypevia FileTypesMan, i.e. you cannot convert a file type, for example, from image to video. - Some file types use icons that are built into the system, such as
.exe,.lnkand.sys, and do not allow changing the icon.
️ Alternative solution: For more advanced users, there is the option to directly edit the Windows registry to have greater control over the behavior of file types:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.επέκταση
"PerceivedType"="image"
⚠️ Before making any changes to the registry, be sure to create a backup. Incorrect settings can affect the preview, sorting, and proper display of files.
3. How to change the icon of a drive in Windows
You can also change the icon of a drive, such as an external hard drive or a USB. The process is based on creating a simple settings file called autorun.inf, which tells Windows which icon to display.
Steps to change drive icon:
- 1. Find the icon you want and save it to your drive as a file
.ico. - 2. Open the drive in which you want to change the icon.
- 3. Create a new text file and rename it to autorun.inf.
- 4. Open the file and type the following:
[Autorun] ICON=icon.icoSave the file and make sure that theicon.icois in the same folder.
- Restart computer or disconnect and reconnect the drive for the change to take effect.
⚠️ Important: This method works mainly in external drives and USBFor internal hard drives, the change requires editing the Windows registry, which is not recommended for novice users.
summarizing
Changing icons on folders, files, and drives in Windows is a simple but effective way to make your computer more organized, more beautiful, and more practical in everyday use.
- To highlight important folders, change their icon through the properties.
- To customize the display of file types, use special tools such as FileTypesMan.
- To change the icon of a drive, create a file autorun.inf with the icon you want.
By following these steps, you can customize your computer to your personal taste and make navigating Windows easier and more enjoyable, without complicated procedures.
(I.e. Last updated: December 2025
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