Changing System Files.

Bug locker · Mar 12, 2024

Hey.

I just read this tutorial. Also as i had a little exploration via internet if its safe to change system files like shell32.dll or imageres32.dll.
Most refers are isn't good. Basically, i want to change the default folder icon, because the old way doesnt work 100% OK especially at Desktop.

So the question is 100% to make changes at System files such as ownership or change them contents?
Lol, if yes there is a little party with icons and sounds.
Anyone to know that 100% ?
I note that sometime i change the privileges of Windows folder, in order to change its icon. After a while system crashes.

Thanks.

antspants · Mar 12, 2024

Hi Bug.

You want to access icons from within shell32.dll or imageres32.dll? You shouldn’t need to make any changes of ownership to those files to use the icons within them.

Or are you saying you want to change the icons that are inside shell32.dll & imageres32.dll? (If so, I don’t even know how that would be possible)

Bug locker · Mar 12, 2024

antspants said:
Hi Bug.

You want to access icons from within shell32.dll or imageres32.dll? You shouldn’t need to make any changes or ownership to those files to use the icons within them.

I read that at Win 11 the dll those are used by system are imageres.dll.mun and netshell.dll.mun.
I dont want to access or export from DLLs. I want to change them contents like icons.
e.g :

Wisewiz · Mar 12, 2024

@Bug locker Happy to see someone else who uses the amazing GFIE Pro software.

I've tried unsuccessfully to change the contents of those .dlls. Window just doesn't want you editing its system files.

Bug locker · Mar 12, 2024

Wisewiz said:
@Bug locker Happy to see someone else who uses the amazing GFIE Pro software.

I've tried unsuccessfully to change the contents of those .dlls. Window just doesn't want you editing its system files.

Even with that way ?

antspants · Mar 12, 2024

I believe Wisewiz has had experience with these .mun files

I'd like to try editing imageres.dll. Experience with that file? - Windows 10 Help Forums

I'd like to substitute two icons of my choice for two of the icons in Imageres.dll. I think I know how to do it, and I think I have the software to accomplish the task, but I've read too many horror stories about this sort of thing to be comfortable with

www.tenforums.com

EDIT… Wisewiz entered before I posted. I was reading.

Wisewiz · Mar 12, 2024

One thing you might try is copying the dll to another folder (not in the Windows folder) and GFIE will let you edit it and save the edited version then. But you'd have to start in Safe Mode in order to be able to replace the native dll with your edited version, and that might not work well at the next boot. I just don't know. It also might get "fixed" by the next update, or if you run SFC.

Bug locker · Mar 12, 2024

Wisewiz said:
One thing you might try is copying the dll to another folder (not in the Windows folder) and GFIE will let you edit it and save the edited version then. But you'd have to start in Safe Mode in order to be able to replace the native dll with your edited version, and that might not work well at the next boot. I just don't know. It also might get "fixed" by the next update, or if you run SFC.

I changed just one icon from imageres32.dll.mun
A.When i tried to save to original location :
1) Greefish autochange its format to imageres32.dll.mun.icl
2) Greenfish gives the same error :

B.When i tried to save at Desktop (not protected folder) :
1) Greefish autochange its format to imageres32.dll.mun.icl
2) Greenfish gives the same error :

C. B.When i tried to save at Desktop (not protected folder) AND
change the file type from imageres32.dll.mun.icl to imageres32.dll.mun :
1) Greenfish saves the file to desktop with my changes (1 icon).
2) Greenfish could open this file.

D.
1) If it works , simply i could make a "backup" of the new dll file to replace it at the future.
2) Even i didnt a backup is very easy to change few icons. Basically i want to change the default folder icon.
3) "Even with that way ?". Is it OK to change the owner of System's DLLs like imageres32.dll.mun imageres32.dll ,
shell32.dll , shell32.dll.mun ? Cause if its , i guess i can save the file without the Safe Mode.

E. Anyway , is there an easier and safe way to replace the original DLLs with the new ?

F. At which Windows 11 DLL is default folder icon ?
When i try to change the path of folder icon ,
the default path is %SystemRoot%\System32\SHELL32.dll ,
so it looks like there it is.
In the other hand i had read that Win 11 uses .mun files.

Wisewiz · Mar 12, 2024

If anyone tries the method in #7, please be sure to save a copy of the UNedited original before rebooting, so that if anything goes wrong, you can put the original back where you got it. :crossed

Wisewiz · Mar 12, 2024

Bug locker said:
Is it OK to change the owner of System's DLLs like imageres32.dll.mun imageres32.dll ,
shell32.dll , shell32.dll.mun ?

Bug locker said:
When i try to change the path of folder icon ,
the default path is %SystemRoot%\System32\SHELL32.dll

It's very dangerous, and even when it works, the next update or SFC is likely going to reverse your changes.
That's still just a referral address. The real icon caches are the ones that have the .mun suffix.

antspants · Mar 12, 2024

Can you not use something like Icoextract (On GitHub) then create your resource only dll with the icons.

Creating a resource-only DLL

How to create a resource-only DLL in Visual Studio.

learn.microsoft.com

Bug locker · Mar 12, 2024

Wisewiz said:
It's very dangerous, and even when it works, the next update or SFC is likely going to reverse your changes.
That's still just a referral address. The real icon caches are the ones that have the .mun suffix.

So.
1) In order to replace the default folder icon , i can try to replace the default icon at all .mun files ,
cause we arent sure where it is.
2) I dont care about SFC fix because i can backup my own .mun.
3) A good question is if anyone already tried this procedure (change files via Safe Mode)
and if it works.

Bug locker · Mar 12, 2024

antspants said:
Can you not use something like Icoextract (On GitHub) then create your resource only dll with the icons.

Creating a resource-only DLL

How to create a resource-only DLL in Visual Studio.

learn.microsoft.com

I wanna try with the system's files. It easier if its possible.

Kees · Mar 12, 2024

antspants said:
...create your resource only dll with the icons.

Or just create a folder on your system drive called "Icons" and put all icons, either copied from elsewhere or made/edited by yourself, into that folder.

This is my Icons folder on C:\

Where you can recognize some very ancient icons, like the one for Outlook Express (which I use for my mail program link on the desktop, not at all being Outlook express at all).

Bug locker · Mar 12, 2024

Kees said:
Or just create a folder on your system drive called "Icons" and put all icons, either copied from elsewhere or made by yourselve, into that folder.

This is my Icons folder on C:\
View attachment 89915

Where you can recognize some very ancient icons, like the one for Outlook Express (which I use for my mail program link on the desktop, not at all being Outlook express at all).

Thanks. I already have hundreds icons.

Bug locker · Mar 12, 2024

Btw , if you dont have it try this tool.

Bug locker · Mar 13, 2024

Update :
I boot at Safe Mode with command prompt. I used copy command to copy the "new" imageres.dll.mun at
c:\windows\systemresources. I took a "access denied".
I tried also to copy any other file to the same folder. I took a "access denied".
I exit from safe mode and .............. BAM ! System crashes. Cant boot.
I saw a black screen with the cursor pointer.
Finally i restore the system from an image backup (oooof it works).
A good answer is : is it safe to take own of systemresources folder in order to bypass "access denied" and
"you don't have the privileges" messages ?

antspants · Mar 13, 2024

Bug locker said:
Update :
I boot at Safe Mode with command prompt. I used copy command to copy the "new" imageres.dll.mun at
c:\windows\systemresources. I took a "access denied".
I tried also to copy any other file to the same folder. I took a "access denied".
I exit from safe mode and .............. BAM ! System crashes. Cant boot.
I saw a black screen with the cursor pointer.
Finally i restore the system from an image backup (oooof it works).
A good answer is : is it safe to take own of systemresources folder in order to bypass "access denied" and
"you don't have the privileges" messages ?

Does it have to be permanent? Can you do what you need to do and then reset permissions?

Add Take Ownership to Context Menu in Windows 11

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www.elevenforum.com

Add "Reset Permissions" to Context Menu in Windows 11

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Bug locker · Mar 13, 2024

antspants said:
Does it have to be permanent? Can you do what you need to do and then reset permissions?

Add Take Ownership to Context Menu in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to add Take Ownership to the context menu of all files, folders, and drives for all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11. This will allow you to be able to instantly take ownership of a file, folder (and all contents), or drive (and all contents) by changing the...

www.elevenforum.com

Add "Reset Permissions" to Context Menu in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove the "Reset Permissions" context menu to reset effective permissions of files and folders back to their default inherited permissions in Windows 10 and Windows 11. On NTFS and ReFS volumes, you can set security permissions on files and folders...

www.elevenforum.com

I am asking because i fear for a system crash and i dont want to try to change permissions of these system folders.
And now i was lucky as system restore from the image backup works. Next time ?
I dont want to do clean install with anyway.
The question is if everyone has try this.
note: i already have your suggestions at the context menu.
Thanks.

glasskuter · Mar 13, 2024

Bug locker said:
s it safe to take own of systemresources folder in order to bypass "access denied" and
"you don't have the privileges" messages ?

Speaking personally, my answer would be I would never take the chance of completely borking my system for the sake of what my icons looked like.. Have I ever made changes in restricted folders? Yes, I have, but I did it outside of Windows. I did not mess with permissions of a restricted folder.

Changing System Files.

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