Custom Icons for Windows 11 Thread (Folders, Dropbox, Google Drive, Podcasts, NVME Drive, Steam, Adobe)

[TizianoMad]

Quick question,

.../ dark/white versions /...

Well, it is not an easy question, dude !

You make a very good job. For my part, I think all styles can suit different tastes.
Maybe you could just avoid the very difficult ones, and only try them out if you have some special request in the future.



@JohnnyGui By the way, we maybe should have posted here the v2 Windows Update Blue Orb (download).

          (from the "Using Customizer God" thread)

The v1 is NOT the Sync icon. It is reversed, so this version is not available in the system, and the original Sync icon is clearly a reversed one from their official Update one. Though, its quite cool to have both now.

 

[davidvkimball]

Hi @JohnnyGui,


In fact, only the biggest size of a User folder shows up, this is how Microsoft chose to display them, and I admit it is a bit disappointing.
Obviously, the reason is because very small logos may not appear very clear, but I had a try and I think it looks Ok.

As you can see, I also reworked the 8 "Shell" folders, in order to use them as Secondary or Backup folders, and not get confused with the original ones when you browse, transfer or copy their content.



View attachment 29756

(open in new tab for better view)
​

This is the first part of the Small sizes rework from the thread's collection I've been on for a while.
I finished this set not very long ago (which was also used for the coming soon "Fluent Blue" theme), so there you are.



System Folder Icons :

I also included the set in a DLL file, you can place in C:\Windows\System32 (next to imageres.dll, for example).
If you intend to use these icons for your main System Drive, this method is the best.
In case you make some changes (such as renaming), the applied icon will stay unchanged (which is not the case when you apply an ICO file).


Portable Folder Icons :

If you need to use the icons on other drives (secondary or external), I recommend making the icon portable.

• Place the icon inside the folder you want to customize.
• In that folder, create a TXT file you will name "desktop.txt", and copy this :
  

  [.ShellClassInfo]
  IconFile=folder.ico
  IconIndex=0

• Replace /folder.ico with the name of the ICO file (or else rename the ICO file "folder.ico").
• Close and save the file.
• Rename the ".txt" extension as ".ini"
• Then, in the properties, tick Read Only and Hidden (also to do in the icon file properties).

A DLL library can also be portable.
If it is located in a different folder, the path must respected :
..\ for parent folder, and \FolderName\ before the Icon File (\FileName.ico or .dll)

Path example, going back 2 parent folders and then into 2 folders (line #2) :
IconResource=..\..\Backup\Icons\FileName.dll

If the icon is in a DLL library, specify its number (line #3) :
IconIndex=6



Icons may not always display straight away.

If ever you have any issues, follow this weird method :
Go to : Properties > Customize (tab) > Change Icon... > Restore Defaults > Cancel.

User Folder Icons
Small Sizes Rework
Original icons by Microsoft & @davidvkimball
​

File folder on MEGA

mega.nz

Just saw your small sizes rework. Excellent!!

 

[TizianoMad]

Just saw your small sizes rework. Excellent!!

Thank you David !

I'm pleased to see the tread starter around again.
Hope you're doing well. How are you ?

It's been quite a few months I announced and started reworking small sizes, so it was high time I post this 1st small sample.
I just realized 2 or 3 of them weren't completely finished (games, registry...) and will replace them.
Generic yellow based icons are the easiest to work on. Rearranging other custom or system based icons is another kettle of fish, so I hope the reworked versions I'm making from this thread will help them to have a bit more more success.

I also have other sets ready I will soon share, but for the time being I'm concentrating on building packs with patcher apps.

I'm pleased to announce you that this set including your icons will be part of the theme, no need to say you will be in the credits.
Thz recolored every yellow folders, and reworked the 16>32 small User folders with Logo shape.
I "brushed up" most of the set to ensure perfect quality and am finishing a few system icons.

Spoiler: Fluent Blue Theme

As the Windows Drive icons aren't necessarily exclusive to it, and can be used in any case, here they are.
(including BitLocker versions)

                  

I made the extra Purple version from the theme to use as secondary (D) System drive of a Dual Boot.

You can customize the System Drive title:
This PC > Manage > Disk Management > Select System partition > Properties > Change name in title box >Apply

Spoiler: "This PC" Example

Careful : This method may not work on Windows 11

Change Drive Icon in Windows 10

How to Change a Drive Icon in Windows 10

www.tenforums.com

Check out updated REG files in case :

Changing Drive Icon

Hi. I was changing drive icon using a steps in this tutorial: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/74659-change-drive-icon-windows-10-a.html Unfortunately, it doesn't detect the file so it is only an file icon. I followed the steps of Option 2: Also logoffed. No effect.

www.elevenforum.com

Icon set as DLL + Separate icon files

 

[Josey Wales]

Well, it is not an easy question, dude !

You make a very good job. For my part, I think all styles can suit different tastes.
Maybe you could just avoid the very difficult ones, and only try them out if you have some special request in the future.



@JohnnyGui By the way, we maybe should have posted here the v2 Windows Update Blue Orb (download).

      View attachment 30488    (from the "Using Customizer God" thread)

The v1 is NOT the Sync icon. It is reversed, so this version is not available in the system, and the original Sync icon is clearly a reversed one from their official Update one. Though, its quite cool to have both now.

I could not get The Customizer God to work in Win 11 Pro build 22621.160

 

[TizianoMad]

I could not get The Customizer God to work in Win 11 Pro build 22621.160

Hi,

In fact, this app does not work correctly depending on the build used.
Check out the dedicated thread, I posted the manual way to apply system icons.

Winaero sometimes encounter some issues but seems to work better and is regularly updated. (latest thread)

Though, the Windows Update icon you quoted only needs to stay in a definitive place, and then directly applied in the properties of this shortcut.

 

[paradoxum]

View attachment 26897

(open in a new tab & zoom in for better view)​

Hi Guys ! - @ParisBridge & @CostasChal


No problem, I'm used to change manually system icons.

You'll need Resource Hacker (portable) or a similar app.
Make sure "Files names extensions" is ticked in your Explorer display.

First you have to take ownership of the 2 DLL files containing the system icon set.

Since Windows 10 version 1903, these files are located in C:\Windows\SystemResources instead of C:\Windows\System32,
and have an extra ".mun" extension :
imageres.dll.mun
zipfldr.dll.mun

Taking Ownership can easily be done thanks to an extra context menu command (also in TenForums),
or else can be done manually :

• Select file, right click and choose [Properties], in the "Security" tab, go to [Advanced].
• At the top of the new window, to the right of "Owner: System", click on [Modify],
  then type "users" and press [Enter] key twice, click on [Apply] then [OK] .
• In the "Properties / Security" window, click the [Edit] button .
• In the permissions window, and in the names pane, select [Users (computer-name\Users)], then under "Authorize", check the "Total control" box, and finally confirm with [OK].

Owner permissions are now assigned to you.


> Make a copy of these 2 files in a new folder, that you could name "Fluent Blue DLL" on your Desktop.


Delete the ".mun" extension of your new copied DLL files.

Run "Resource Hacker" as Administrator.
Go to "File > Open..." ...one of the new copied DLL files.

Open "Icon Group"
Select the icons to replace. (right click > Replace Icon)

> imageres :
3 : Fluent Blue - Default Generic.ico
4 : Fluent Blue - Default Generic.ico
5 : Fluent Blue - Thumbnail. Back.ico
6 : Fluent Blue - Thumbnail. Front.ico
162 : Fluent Blue - With Content.ico
174 : Fluent Blue - Archive.ico

> zipfldr :
101 : Fluent Blue - Archive.ico
123 : Fluent Blue - Archive.ico

Attention : Some Icon Group #numbers may be slightly different, according to the version you are using.
Please make sure the icons to replace are the correct ones.

Save (Ctrl + S).
A "*name*old.dll" will automatically be created as well, in the same location.
Close "Resource Hacker".


> Now add the ".mun" extension to your new DLL files names.


Go back to C:\Windows\SystemResources to replace these 2 files. (or C:\Windows\System32 in Windows 10 v.1809)
Careful : The original files will keep running and you will not be able to delete them until the next reboot.
It is important not to close the 2 Explorer windows you are using until the copies are done.

First, rename the 2 original files, simply adding "2" or "Old" at the end, before ".dll.mun"
Now copy your 2 new files.

Restart your computer.

Your new icons are applied.

Go back to C:\Windows\SystemResources and delete the old "****2.dll.mun" files, if you like.
Or else, you can keep them as a backup.

Use the same last procedure to apply the old DLL files, if one day you want you original icons back.

Can you explain why doing this is any different than using an icon theme patcher that patches the mun files etc?
(Because even doing so I find windows using system32.dll icons everywhere).

 

[TizianoMad]

Answer moved to dedicated thread.

Of course, custom icons are fully concerned about being applied in many ways.
I was mistaken myself to answer about it here, as the subject can be complex according to the needs and their methods.
(also note that there is an edit about the replacement method using Windows Offline).

As there are already several threads for that, I prefer not to clutter up this one which should be exclusive for designing graphic discussions and sharing custom content.

 

[EpicBWin11Fourm]

It's been 27 years, Microsoft still no longer updates the Windows 95-esque "Tip of the day" icon as of 2022, idk why.

but since I use Windows 11, I made this icon to match Windows 11's brand and fluency. However, this looks nice if it's used for a fluent WinUI3 app with its own "Tip of the day" feature. (Also includes monochrome icon lol)

 

[Fenhl]

Hello! It's been a while and I'm back with a couple more requests:

• Something like this emoji: would still be nice to have to represent the internet without resorting to a specific browser's logo
• We have icons for the Nintendo Switch and Wii now, could we get ones for the Wii U and Nintendo 64 as well?
• Magic: The Gathering. Perhaps something based on the card back, or the logo?
• Synology

Thank you all again for the great work shared here!

 

[moxin3]

is blog dead? No post since long

 

[TizianoMad]

is blog dead?

Hi Moxin,
I guess it's because it's holiday time, designers are taking a bit of rest.

• Something like this emoji:

Hi Fenhl,
Would you have a bigger template of this one ?

 

[Fenhl]

Hi Fenhl,
Would you have a bigger template of this one ?

I don't necessarily mean this exact render, just the general idea of a globe with meridians. See Emojipedia for examples of what the emoji looks like in different fonts.

 

[Valer]

Hello! It's been a while and I'm back with a couple more requests:

• Something like this emoji: would still be nice to have to represent the internet without resorting to a specific browser's logo

 

[atinfo]

In the Personal folder, is anyone else just seeing the standard empty folder icons for Contacts, Saved Games, Favorites, Links and Search when the view is set to "Normal" size?

When viewing them as Large size, the mentioned folders show fitting icons on their folders.

That's normal. Because in list view (small size/16px), human eyes can't distinguish the symbol from the folder. It has to be different in that size (symbol or folder, not together!).

In fact, only the biggest size of a User folder shows up, this is how Microsoft chose to display them, and I admit it is a bit disappointing.
Obviously, the reason is because very small logos may not appear very clear, but I had a try and I think it looks Ok.

Because they have to do more work to make those beautiful tiny icons. IMO 16px-32px icon sizes are the best. They are crisp and delicious in that sizes!
UWP apps don't have ICO files. Instead, they use PNG. Windows 11 new UI (Explorer,... ) uses SVG instead of ICO/PNG! The scalable icon (SVG) has a problem! They are not good enough in all sizes. They are good just in large sizes. Windows shows 16px icon (of an SVG icon) by generating that size (16px) from the original size of that SVG icon (512px), it doesn't redraw/redesign a 16px to show!
If you want your icon to be crisp (in a smaller size, less than 32px), you have to redesign (or modify the current design) in that size (especially 16px). Designing the icon in just one main size (512px) then generate all other sizes from this size would not work!

In SS below, I have two versions of the Magnifier icon (left and right). They have an identical appearance in 32px. But the left one's 16px has been made manually (it is crisp with sharp edges without anti-aliasing effects in the list view). The right one's 16px has been generated by its 32px icon size (you can not determine what the symbol is that!).



System Folder Icons :

I also included the set in a DLL file, you can place in C:\Windows\System32 (next to imageres.dll, for example).
If you intend to use these icons for your main System Drive, this method is the best.
In case you make some changes (such as renaming), the applied icon will stay unchanged (which is not the case when you apply an ICO file).

You can also make an icon library/ICL file (of your custom icons, you can change its extension to dll), place it in the User folder or AppData, and make it Read-Only and Hidden.

Portable Folder Icons :

If you need to use the icons on other drives (secondary or external), I recommend making the icon portable.

• Place the icon inside the folder you want to customize.
• In that folder, create a TXT file you will name "desktop.txt", and copy this :
  

  [.ShellClassInfo]
  IconFile=folder.ico
  IconIndex=0

• Replace /folder.ico with the name of the ICO file (or else rename the ICO file "folder.ico").
• Close and save the file.
• Rename the ".txt" extension as ".ini"
• Then, in the properties, tick Read Only and Hidden (also to do in the icon file properties).

A DLL library can also be portable.
If it is located in a different folder, the path must respected :
..\ for parent folder, and \FolderName\ before the Icon File (\FileName.ico or .dll)

For portability! Don't put drive letter at the beginning of the path. Your folder icon would not depend on the drive letter, it just sees the root of the drive not the drive letter.

[.ShellClassInfo]
IconResource=\Folder\x.ico

I also have other sets ready I will soon share, but for the time being I'm concentrating on building packs with patcher apps.

Spoiler: Fluent Blue Theme

View attachment 31141

As the Windows Drive icons aren't necessarily exclusive to it, and can be used in any case, here they are.
(including BitLocker versions)

      View attachment 31150      View attachment 31151      View attachment 31152

I made the extra Purple version from the theme to use as secondary (D) System drive of a Dual Boot.

Nice job . Your blue folders remind me the Mac folder which I had made for my personal use (attachment). By modifying some registry keys I was able to change the Windows default yellow folder to my blue one). But the blue was all over the Windows (my icons, WP...), and the mood was cold! I reverted to the default yellow folder icon to balance the temp!

 

[TizianoMad]

For portability! Don't put drive letter at the beginning of the path.

For sure, I never mentioned adding random drive letter for portable icons which can come from any drive anytime.
If you respect my instructions to the letter (expression !) about locations in "parent folders", this works just great.
This is why the 2 dots with backslash are in red, the path HAS to be written exactly this way.

 

[TizianoMad]

Nice job

Thanks you for the compliments, Thz is the author, who initially made them for 7zip.
In fact, they a slightly sober in comparison to original ones, in order to be less "flashy" (I'm still working on many extra ones too). I specially liked them for that purpose, as the yellow is too bright for me. Of course, this blue has to be set with others outstanding coherent (Windows & background) colors. (.../I mainly use the Night and Dark Mode). We also replaced the flashy green with a dimmer purple. But I'm always making the normal + blue version for the ones I've been converting from W10 lately.

This theme will probably only give satisfaction to users who are in my case, but once it is finished with all their templates ready, it will be easier to make other color sets.

Next 3rd little system icon set arriving soon, and some other folders for @Fenhl

See you, everyone.


Edit :
You can add as much as "..\" with no space between ( ..\..\..\ ) as much as folder there are to reach backwards.

 

[atinfo]

Thz is the author, who initially made them for 7zip.

I didn't notice! I was its 7Z icon pack (both yellow and blue) user! Found him on DA. He has done a great job. I don't use the patcher (to patch 7Z) and his set anymore.

 

[JohnnyGui]

That's normal. Because in list view (small size/16px), human eyes can't distinguish the symbol from the folder. It has to be different in that size (symbol or folder, not together!).

But the thing is I'm not talking about small size but "Normal" size. One would be able to distinguish these icons and yet the folders are just shown as regular ones. The fitting icons only appear in Large size. Is this the same case at your end?

 

[atinfo]

All my windows are set to "List" view (cause I like that). I can distinguish them (folders) better in that size (90% of my folders have custom icons, made by myself or Windows). I don't like the ridicules 512px size view.

Hate this view:


Love these views (Tile/List, especially the "List" view):

 

[JohnnyGui]

All my windows are set to "List" view (cause I like that). I can distinguish them (folders) better in that size (90% of my folders have custom icons, made by myself or Windows). I don't like the ridicules 512px size view.

Hate this view:
View attachment 36458

Love these views (Tile/List, especially the "List" view):
View attachment 36457

But do the native icons in the folders appear when setting it to Normal size? I'm talking about folders such as Games and Links, not sure if you have custom icons for those