How to Change Libraries Icon in File Explorer in Windows 10


Libraries gather added folders that are stored in different locations so you can browse them in one place.

This tutorial will show you how to change the icon for Libraries in File Explorer to any icon for your account or all users in Windows 10.


 CONTENTS:



EXAMPLE: Default Libraries icon in File Explorer
Change Libraries Icon in File Explorer in Windows 10-libraries_icon-1.jpg Change Libraries Icon in File Explorer in Windows 10-libraries_icon-2.png






OPTION ONE

Change Libraries Icon for Current User



This option will override Option Two.

This option will only be applied to the current user, and no other user account on the PC.

1. Press the Win+R keys to open Run, type regedit into Run, and click/tap on OK to open Registry Editor.

2. Navigate to the key below in the left pane of Registry Editor. (see screenshot below)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5}\DefaultIcon

If you do not have a DefaultIcon key, right click on the {031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5} key, click/tap on New, click/tap on Key, type DefaultIcon for the name, and press Enter.

Change Libraries Icon in File Explorer in Windows 10-libraries_icon_current_user-1.png

3. In the right pane of the DefaultIcon key, double click/tap on the (Default) string value (REG_SZ) to modify it. (see screenshot above)

4. Type the full path of the .ico file wrapped in quotes you want to use for the icon, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

The default icon is: %SystemRoot%\system32\imageres.dll,-1023

Change Libraries Icon in File Explorer in Windows 10-libraries_icon_current_user-2.png

5. You can now close Registry Editor if you like.

6. If File Explorer (Win+E) is currently open, close and reopen it to apply.

If the icon doesn't change, then restart the explorer process or sign out and sign in to apply instead.






OPTION TWO

Change Libraries Icon for All Users



You must be signed in as an administrator to do this option.

If any user uses Option One, it will override this option for their account.

1. Press the Win+R keys to open Run, type regedit into Run, and click/tap on OK to open Registry Editor.

2. If you used Option One, delete the DefaultIcon key located below. (see screenshots below)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5}\DefaultIcon

Change Libraries Icon in File Explorer in Windows 10-libraries_icon_all_users-1.png Change Libraries Icon in File Explorer in Windows 10-libraries_icon_all_users-2.png

3. Navigate to the key below in the left pane of Registry Editor. (see screenshot below)

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5}\DefaultIcon

Change Libraries Icon in File Explorer in Windows 10-libraries_icon_all_users-3.jpg

4. Change the owner of the DefaultIcon key to the Administrators group.

5. Change the permissions of the DefaultIcon key to "Allow" Administrators "Full control" of it.

6. In the right pane of the DefaultIcon key, double click/tap on the (Default) string value (REG_SZ) to modify it. (see screenshot above)

7. Type the full path of the .ico file wrapped in quotes you want to use for the icon, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

The .ico file will need to be saved at a location (ex: "C:\Windows" or "C:\Users\Public") that all users have access to. If it's not, the icon may show as a default folder for some users instead.

The default icon is: %SystemRoot%\system32\imageres.dll,-1023

Change Libraries Icon in File Explorer in Windows 10-libraries_icon_current_user-2.png

8. You can now close Registry Editor if you like.

9. If File Explorer (Win+E) is currently open, close and reopen it to apply.

If the icon doesn't change, then restart the explorer process or sign out and sign in to apply instead.


That's it,
Shawn


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