Solved Need help changing folder icons in explorer and regedit

glasskuter · Oct 9, 2021

Both in explorer and regedit, (especially regedit because they are so small) I have difficulty seeing the pale yellow folder icons. Prior to Windows 11 these icons appeared more of a mustard color and I could see them ok. I know how to change an icon for an individual folder and I have done that on my desktop folders. But what I need is a method to change the color systemwide to some color other than pale yellow for all current folders and any new ones created in the future. Is there a way to change the default system folder icon?

FreeBooter · Oct 9, 2021

I have not tried this batch script with Windows 11, but it works on Windows 10 hopefully this method works on Windows 11.

glasskuter · Oct 9, 2021

Freebooter, Sorry to be dense but I watched the video 3 times. He doesn't explain as he goes along. What am I supposed to do with your zip file.?
Do I put the new icon and bat file somewhere (say at root of C) and then run the bat file?

FreeBooter · Oct 9, 2021

You can change the folder icon, but make sure folder icon have Blue Folder name and double-click the batch script.

glasskuter · Oct 10, 2021

Freebooter, you wonderful human being. It worked both in explorer and regedit. Consider yourself being virtually hugged for sharing this. Thank you so much.

FreeBooter · Oct 10, 2021

You are very welcome!

HereticPup · Jul 18, 2022

FreeBoot.... I love you dude. Absolutely Love You

MaRio · Jul 18, 2022

I've recently changed all my icons (system-wide). The above trick works but probably changes only the basic empty folder icon, which means all other icons will be inconsistent (folder with preview of contents, music/videos/photos folders, etc). If you want to change those, you'll have to edit imageres.dll.mun and shell32.dll.mun files and swap icons, however that is a bit more technical as you'd possibly have to take ownership of them.

oammica · May 15, 2023

MaRio said:
I've recently changed all my icons (system-wide). The above trick works but probably changes only the basic empty folder icon, which means all other icons will be inconsistent (folder with preview of contents, music/videos/photos folders, etc). If you want to change those, you'll have to edit imageres.dll.mun and shell32.dll.mun files and swap icons, however that is a bit more technical as you'd possibly have to take ownership of them.

Hi Hi! Do you know where to find a tutorial to you're way to do it? Thanks!

Wisewiz · May 15, 2023

You might have a good look at this thread. There are tons of wonderful icons and gobs of instructions in the posts.

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

In my ongoing quest to keep Zune alive, I sought to create a custom matching Podcasts folder for Windows 11. For those wondering where this folder comes from: when the Zune software is installed, a special Shell folder is also installed for podcasts (called "My Podcasts" by default) and is...

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