Replace all Windows 11 folder icon with Windows 10 Folder icons

Baqt · Aug 18, 2025

garlin said:
How to use Windows 10 Icons in Windows 11

This hack might stop working, if Windows Update decides to replace imageresdll.mun in a future update. Then you have to repeat the steps after every month's update.

View attachment 53004

This is awesome, I have fresh new install on windows 11, what can I do so that it looks the same as yours on the last build of W11 ?

Rollback_Jockey · Aug 18, 2025

Baqt said:
This is awesome, I have fresh new install on windows 11, what can I do so that it looks the same as yours on the last build of W11 ?

Following the given advice would be a good start.

garlin · Aug 18, 2025

Baqt said:
This is awesome, I have fresh new install on windows 11, what can I do so that it looks the same as yours on the last build of W11 ?

Works on a clean install of 24H2. If you don't have permissions to rename the original DLL, download PowerRun.

Baqt · Aug 25, 2025

I did everything, both ways, with the batch file, blue icon, and also with the steps from here How to use Windows 10 Icons in Windows 11. Deleted the cache (deleted only the icon cache files, I have also some thumbscache files, should I delete those as well ? ) and restarted, but no result, the folders are still the same. What about renaming the dll you talking about ? Since I only replaced it.

Some of the folder are like the first one I uploaded, some of them are blue like the second one, and some that have images are like the third one. However the bunch of them are standart Win 11 folders. Also to note, I am using the extra large images everywhere in the folders.

garlin · Aug 25, 2025

1. Ignore the batch script. It's not relevant to what you want to do.

2. You should use PowerRun to safely grant yourself TrustedInstaller rights (Administrator is not enough).

3. Rename the existing imageres.dll.mun to a different name. While Explorer is running, it's got the file opened so don't copy over or delete it. Rename it.

4. Copy the downloaded W10 imageres.dll.mun into the same folder.

5. Restart Explorer ("taskkill /im /if explorer.exe && start explorer") or log out.

6. Clear out the icon cache so Explorer can start over again.

Baqt · Aug 25, 2025

I did it again, although renaming the win 10 dll file that I put from the first time there. (the original is backed up just in case). Did everything and it still the same mess. How can I uninstall the bluefolder thing I did earlier ? I run it again in order to choose option 2 and restore the folders, and deleted all the files of blue folder. I think it's removed. Again cleared the cache and restarted the explorer. The blue folders are gone however only some of the folders are back WIN 10 style, not everything. most of them are still win 11's and those that are win 10 are buggy mess like the two screenshots I uploaded in my previous post.

garlin · Aug 25, 2025

To undo the blue icon:

Code:

reg.exe delete "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Icons" /v 3 /f

The problem with restoring W10 folder icons is W11 creates thumbnail images in landscape mode, and W10 used portrait mode. There doesn't appear to be a simple setting to switch thumbnail style, rather it might be hard-coded into Explorer. You can replace all the folder resources you want, and it won't matter.

To get it perfect requires something like an Explorer Patcher to bring back the older code libraries.

Baqt · Aug 25, 2025

Okay, I have explorer patcher installed and running. What now ?

garlin · Aug 25, 2025

Sorry I meant something like an Explorer Patcher has to do the work, not that the current version supports this feature.

Baqt · Aug 25, 2025

I though this thread was created, and solutions were given about the final result, 1:1 with windows 10 folders, even when there are files and pictures inside, and they will be properly displayed .. I wouldn't go through all of this work just for ugly images in landscape .. I want either the full package or nothing, not anything in between. Anyways thank you for your effort.

How can I get back to windows 11 default folders ? changing back that dll file to it's original ?

garlin · Aug 25, 2025

Move the old imageres.dll.mun back into the folder, and restart Explorer.

TizianoMad · Aug 29, 2025

If needed...

Disable Folder Thumbnails without Disabling Thumbnail Preview for Files

When a folder contains one or more images in it, the contents of the folder are shown as the thumbnail image for that folder. Windows allows you to enable or disable thumbnail previews in File…

www.winhelponline.com

FFTW · Jan 28, 2026

So there is no way nowadays to do it where it works and looks right? I too far prefer the windows 7/10 folders.

Replace all Windows 11 folder icon with Windows 10 Folder icons

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