This tutorial will show you how to change the icon of a LNK or URL shortcut for your account in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
A shortcut is a link to an item (such as a file, folder, or app) on your PC. You can create shortcuts and then place them in a convenient location, such as on the desktop, so you can easily access the item that the shortcut links to. Shortcut files (.lnk) can be distinguished from the source target by the arrow that appears overlayed on the shortcut's icon.
When a new shortcut is created, it will use the same icon used by the source app, file, folder, drive, or web site (URL - browser) it points to by default. You can change the icon of a shortcut to be any icon you want without changing the icon of the source.
Here's How:
1 Right click on the shortcut you want, and click/tap on Properties. (see screenshots below)
2 In the Shortcut (LNK) or Web Document (URL) tab, click/tap on the Change Icon button. (see screenshots below)
3 Perform the following steps: (see screenshots below)
- Click/tap on Browse.
- Navigate to and select the .ico, .icl, .exe, or .dll file that contains the icon you want to use.
- Click/tap on Open.
- Select an icon you want from the list.
- Click/tap on OK.
4 Click/tap on OK. (see screenshots below)
5 If you do not see the shortcut's icon change immediately, then refresh (F5) the window or desktop it's on to apply.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Last edited: