How to Customize Desktop Icons in Windows 11?

Customizing desktop icons in Windows 11 allows you to personalize your workspace, making it visually appealing and better organized. Whether you want to change the appearance of system icons, add new icons, or adjust their size and spacing, Windows 11 provides several options to help you achieve your desired look. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to customize desktop icons in Windows 11, providing tips and tricks to make your desktop truly your own.

How to Change Desktop Icons in Windows 11?

In Windows 11 you can change desktop icons, e.g. Recycling Bin, This PC, Network, and User’s Files. To do this, follow these steps:

Step 1: Right click an empty space on your desktop and choose "Personalize."

Step 2: Click on "Themes" in the right pane of the Personalization settings.

Step 3: Under "Related settings," click on the "Desktop icon settings."

Step 4: In the Desktop Icon Settings window, select the icons to display and by click the "Change Icon" button.

Step 5: Browse or choose default icons, then click OK to apply changes.

Step 6: Click on Apply then OK button

How to Change the Icon of a Folder?

If you want to change the icon of a folder on your desktop, you can do so by following these steps

Step 1: Right-click on the folder or shortcut icon you want to change.

Step 2: Choose "Properties" from the menu.

Step 3: In the Properties window, Navigate to the "Customize" tab then click on the "Change Icon" button.

Step 4: Browse and select the icon you want to use from the available options.

Step 5: Click "OK" to apply the changes, then click "Apply" and "OK" again to close the Properties window.

How to Change the Icon of a Shortcut?

Step 1: Right-click on the folder or shortcut icon you want to change.

Step 2: Choose "Properties" from the menu.

Step 3: In the Properties window, Navigate to the "Security" tab then click on the "Change Icon" button.

Step 4: Browse and select the icon you want to use from the available options.

Step 5: Click "OK" to apply the changes, then click "Apply" and "OK" again to close the Properties window.

How to Change Icon by File Type?

If you want to change the icon of a particular file type, for example, PDF, DOCX, MP3 and so on, you can utilize a third-party utility called FileTypesMan. FileTypesMan is a free as well as portable application that enables you to change the icon and other parameters of a file type in Windows. To use it, follow these steps:

Step 1: Download FileTypesMan from nirsoft website and extract the zip file to a folder of your choice.

Step 2: Run the FileTypesMan.exe file as administrator.

Step 3: In the FileTypesMan window, you can see a list of file types registered in your system. Select the file type that you want to change and click on the Edit Selected File Type button.

Step 4: Click on "Three Dot " on the right side of Default Icon input field

Step 5: Click "Browse," select your new icon, then click "OK." Finally, click "OK" to confirm changes.

Conclusion

Customizing desktop icons in Windows 11 is a simple yet effective way to personalize your workspace and improve your user experience. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily change, add, and organize your desktop icons to suit your preferences. Regularly updating and customizing your desktop icons can help keep your workspace fresh and functional.