While Windows 11 comes with some new features of its own, it inherits the features of the previous versions. However, users are a bit baffled with the new UI and hence, find it difficult to locate the features or how to go about changing things on the all new Windows 11. Changing the folder icon is one such issue. This post will guide you through the process and offer some more tips on how to add your own images to the icon collection.
The default icon for the folders on Windows 11 comes is the famous yellow colored folder image that has been there since all the previous Windows versions. However, you may want to change it to an image of your choice, for instance, for a movies folder, you may want the folder icon to have an image signifying the same and so on. The entire purpose is to make things more exciting and that can be done by changing the folder icons on your Windows 11 PC.
Method 1: Through Folder Properties
This method is the most easy as you can select a folder icon from the built-in icons by Windows. Here’s how:
Step 1: Go to the folder on your desktop, right-click on it and select Properties.
Step 2: In the Properties dialogue box, select the Customise tab and go to the Folder icons field.
Here, select the Change icon button.
Step 3: In the Change Icon pop-up, go to the field – Select an icon from the list below.
Here, select an icon of your choice for your folder.
Press OK to save the changes and exit.
Now, go back to the folder on your desktop and the folder icon should have changed to the selected one.
Method 2: Using IconArchive
This method helps you to download and add custom folder icons from a third-party website and make your folder look interesting. Follow the below instructions to change folder icon using custom icons for your Windows 11 PC:
Step 1: Copy and paste the below link in your browser address bar:
Step 2: You can click on the Popular tags below the search box based on the type of icon you are looking for.
Step 3: You can also search for the icons by typing your icon name in the search box.
For instance, if you want to search an icon for your movies folder, you can type Spider Man (for example) in the search field and hit Enter.
Step 4: Select your preferred image and click on it.
Step 5: Now, under the image, click on ICO format button in green.
This will download the icon in ICO format.
Step 6: Now, go back to the folder on your desktop, right-click on it and select Properties.
Step 7: Next, click on the Customize tab, go to the Folder icon field and select Change icon.
Step 8: In the Change Icon dialogue box, click on Browse.
Step 9: Next, navigate to the location where you downloaded the ICO file.
Select the file and click on Open.
Step 10: Back in the Change Icon dialogue box, click on OK to finish adding the icon.
Step 11: Next, in the Properties window, click on Apply and then OK to save the changes and exit.
You should now see that the icon is applied to your folder.
You can also refresh desktop to see the change.
Method 3: Through Google Image
However, if you want to download an icon of your choice, you can do so by downloading images from Google. However, before you add them to the folder icon collection, you must convert it to .ico format. Follow the below steps to download and add a Google image as the folder icon:
Step 1: Go to Google and type your preferred image name.
For example, I want to download the image of Spider man, so I typed Spider man in Google and hit Enter.
Now, click on Images under the search bar.
Step 2: Now, select the image of your choice, right-click on it and select Save image as.
Download it in your preferred location.
Step 3: Now, copy and paste the below link in your browser or simply click on it:
Now, click on Choose Files.
Step 4: Next, select the image you downloaded and saved in Step 3 and click on Open.
Step 5: Now, click on the drop-down next to “to“, select Image and then select ICO.
Step 7: Next, press Convert in red below.
Step 8: Wait for the image to be converted to ICO format and once done, click on Download in blue.
Step 9: Now, go to the folder on your desktop, right-click on it and select Properties.
Step 10: In the Properties window, go to Customize and click on Change icon below Folder Icons.
Step 11: In the Change Icon dialogue box, click on Browse.
Step 12: Now, go to the location where you saved the icon.
Select it and press Open.
Step 13: As you return to the Change icon dialogue box, press OK.
Step 14: Press Apply and then OK in the Properties window to apply the changes and exit.
Now, refresh the desktop and the icon should be applied to the folder.