Windows folder icons

For a long time it has been possible in Windows to associate an image with a folder, e.g. to indicate its content.
For example, this can be done placing a folder.jpg file inside it.
My problem is that in Windows 11 much of these images are now covered up by the folder icon, well more than I was seeing in Windows 10 and before. Case in point: for the folder you see below I used an image of a person's face, but this now looks as if they were wearing a mask:

What I am looking for is a different icon for folders that covers up less.
Issues, questions:

• is this at all possible, or does this only work with the standard icon?
• does it make a difference whether I place a folder.jpg file or if I use customization to set an image?

I have tried a few ico files coming from the usual websites, but all tended to be opaque, for this purpose.

This looks like what you might be looking for, hope it helps. Also, see related tutorials and user comments there.

beutelwolf said:

• is this at all possible, or does this only work with the standard icon?
• does it make a difference whether I place a folder.jpg file or if I use customization to set an image?

Click to expand...

If you are talking about setting a permanent folder icon, that is covered in the replies of the aforementioned tutorial.

If you want a full size thumbnail, you'll need to replace the default folder mask with a custom one. Here's one way to do that:

How to customize folder thumbnails in Windows 11 22H2

The link to the icons in that tutorial is broken, but they are available here:

Microsoft OneDrive

There may be an easier way to do it, but that's what I've found so far.

LesFerch said:

If you want a full size thumbnail, you'll need to replace the default folder mask with a custom one. Here's one way to do that:

How to customize folder thumbnails in Windows 11 22H2

The link to the icons in that tutorial is broken, but they are available here:

Microsoft OneDrive

There may be an easier way to do it, but that's what I've found so far.

Click to expand...

Hello,

The link appears to still be working.


This is one of the 'related tutorials' attached to the tutorial I suggested earlier.

But, thanks for your help.

AmericanPharaoh said:

The link appears to still be working.

Click to expand...

I was referring to the link in this step:
1. Download the CustomizerGod utility and custom icons in a ZIP archive

The ElevenForum tutorial is for manually setting an icon for a specific folder. The tutorial I linked to is for changing the folder mask so that all automatic folder thumbnails cover the whole folder icon.

LesFerch said:

I was referring to the link in this step:
1. Download the CustomizerGod utility and custom icons in a ZIP archive

The ElevenForum tutorial is for manually setting an icon for a specific folder. The tutorial I linked to is for changing the folder mask so that all automatic folder thumbnails cover the whole folder icon.

Click to expand...

Sorry, I thought you were referring to this link not working.


When I clicked on it, it worked. lol OK, my bad. thanks for clearing that up.