Change Icons of Folders in This PC in Windows 10  

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    Change Icons of Folders in This PC in Windows 10

    Change Icons of Folders in This PC in Windows 10

    How to Change Icons of Folders in This PC in Windows 10
    Published by Category: Customization
    27 Nov 2019
    Designer Media Ltd

    How to Change Icons of Folders in This PC in Windows 10


    The This PC window in File Explorer includes a Folders group that displays a linked Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, and Videos folder from the current user account's "C:\Users\(user-name)" profile folder location.

    This tutorial will show you how to change the icon of the default Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, and Videos Folders in This PC for your account or all users in Windows 10.


    Contents

    • Option One: Change Icons of Folders in This PC for Current User
    • Option Two: Change Icons of Folders in This PC for All Users



    EXAMPLE: Folders in This PC
    Change Icons of Folders in This PC in Windows 10-folders_in_this_pc.jpg Change Icons of Folders in This PC in Windows 10-this_pc_address_bar.jpg






    OPTION ONE

    Change Icons of Folders in This PC 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 If prompted by UAC, click/tap on Yes.

    3 Do step 4 (3D Objects), step 5 (Desktop), step 6 (Documents), step 7 (Downloads), step 8 (Music), step 9 (Pictures), and/or step 10 (Videos) below for the folder icon you want to change.


     4. To Change Icon of 3D Objects Folder

    A) Navigate to the key below in the left pane of Registry Editor, and go to step 11 below.

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{0DB7E03F-FC29-4DC6-9020-FF41B59E513A}\DefaultIcon

    If you do not have a {0DB7E03F-FC29-4DC6-9020-FF41B59E513A} key, right click on the CLSID key, click/tap on New, click/tap on Key, type {0DB7E03F-FC29-4DC6-9020-FF41B59E513A} for the name, and press Enter.

    If you do not have a DefaultIcon key, right click on the {0DB7E03F-FC29-4DC6-9020-FF41B59E513A} key, click/tap on New, click/tap on Key, type DefaultIcon for the name, and press Enter.

    Change Icons of Folders in This PC in Windows 10-3d_objects_current_user.jpg


     5. To Change Icon of Desktop Folder

    A) Navigate to the key below in the left pane of Registry Editor, and go to step 11 below.

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{B4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641}\DefaultIcon

    If you do not have a {B4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641} key, right click on the CLSID key, click/tap on New, click/tap on Key, type {B4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641} for the name, and press Enter.

    If you do not have a DefaultIcon key, right click on the {B4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641} key, click/tap on New, click/tap on Key, type DefaultIcon for the name, and press Enter.

    Change Icons of Folders in This PC in Windows 10-documents_current_user.jpg


     6. To Change Icon of Documents Folder

    A) Navigate to the key below in the left pane of Registry Editor, and go to step 11 below.

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{d3162b92-9365-467a-956b-92703aca08af}\DefaultIcon

    If you do not have a {d3162b92-9365-467a-956b-92703aca08af} key, right click on the CLSID key, click/tap on New, click/tap on Key, type {d3162b92-9365-467a-956b-92703aca08af} for the name, and press Enter.

    If you do not have a DefaultIcon key, right click on the {d3162b92-9365-467a-956b-92703aca08af} key, click/tap on New, click/tap on Key, type DefaultIcon for the name, and press Enter.

    Change Icons of Folders in This PC in Windows 10-documents_current_user.jpg


     7. To Change Icon of Downloads Folder

    A) Navigate to the key below in the left pane of Registry Editor, and go to step 11 below.

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{088e3905-0323-4b02-9826-5d99428e115f}\DefaultIcon

    If you do not have a {088e3905-0323-4b02-9826-5d99428e115f} key, right click on the CLSID key, click/tap on New, click/tap on Key, type {088e3905-0323-4b02-9826-5d99428e115f} for the name, and press Enter.

    If you do not have a DefaultIcon key, right click on the {088e3905-0323-4b02-9826-5d99428e115f} key, click/tap on New, click/tap on Key, type DefaultIcon for the name, and press Enter.

    Change Icons of Folders in This PC in Windows 10-downloads_current_user.jpg


     8. To Change Icon of Music Folder

    A) Navigate to the key below in the left pane of Registry Editor, and go to step 11 below.

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{3dfdf296-dbec-4fb4-81d1-6a3438bcf4de}\DefaultIcon

    If you do not have a {3dfdf296-dbec-4fb4-81d1-6a3438bcf4de} key, right click on the CLSID key, click/tap on New, click/tap on Key, type {3dfdf296-dbec-4fb4-81d1-6a3438bcf4de} for the name, and press Enter.

    If you do not have a DefaultIcon key, right click on the {3dfdf296-dbec-4fb4-81d1-6a3438bcf4de} key, click/tap on New, click/tap on Key, type DefaultIcon for the name, and press Enter.

    Change Icons of Folders in This PC in Windows 10-music_current_user.jpg


     9. To Change Icon of Pictures Folder

    A) Navigate to the key below in the left pane of Registry Editor, and go to step 11 below.

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{24ad3ad4-a569-4530-98e1-ab02f9417aa8}\DefaultIcon

    If you do not have a {24ad3ad4-a569-4530-98e1-ab02f9417aa8} key, right click on the CLSID key, click/tap on New, click/tap on Key, type {24ad3ad4-a569-4530-98e1-ab02f9417aa8} for the name, and press Enter.

    If you do not have a DefaultIcon key, right click on the {24ad3ad4-a569-4530-98e1-ab02f9417aa8} key, click/tap on New, click/tap on Key, type DefaultIcon for the name, and press Enter.

    Change Icons of Folders in This PC in Windows 10-pictures_current_user.jpg


     10. To Change Icon of Videos Folder

    A) Navigate to the key below in the left pane of Registry Editor, and go to step 11 below.

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{f86fa3ab-70d2-4fc7-9c99-fcbf05467f3a}\DefaultIcon

    If you do not have a {f86fa3ab-70d2-4fc7-9c99-fcbf05467f3a} key, right click on the CLSID key, click/tap on New, click/tap on Key, type {f86fa3ab-70d2-4fc7-9c99-fcbf05467f3a} for the name, and press Enter.

    If you do not have a DefaultIcon key, right click on the {f86fa3ab-70d2-4fc7-9c99-fcbf05467f3a} key, click/tap on New, click/tap on Key, type DefaultIcon for the name, and press Enter.

    Change Icons of Folders in This PC in Windows 10-videos_current_user.jpg


    11 In the right pane of the DefaultIcon key, double click/tap on the (Default) value to modify it.

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

    Change Icons of Folders in This PC in Windows 10-modify.jpg

    Folder Default Icon
    3D Objects %SystemRoot%\system32\imageres.dll,-198
    Desktop %SystemRoot%\system32\imageres.dll,-183
    Documents %SystemRoot%\system32\imageres.dll,-112
    Downloads %SystemRoot%\system32\imageres.dll,-184
    Music %SystemRoot%\system32\imageres.dll,-108
    Pictures %SystemRoot%\system32\imageres.dll,-113
    Videos %SystemRoot%\system32\imageres.dll,-189

    13 When finished, close Registry Editor.

    14 Refresh (F5) the This PC window of File Explorer if open to apply.






    OPTION TWO

    Change Icons of Folders in This PC 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 prompted by UAC, click/tap on Yes.

    3 Do step 4 (3D Objects), step 5 (Desktop), step 6 (Documents), step 7 (Downloads), step 8 (Music), step 9 (Pictures), and/or step 10 (Videos) below for the folder icon you want to change.


     4. To Change Icon of 3D Objects Folder

    A) Navigate to the key below in the left pane of Registry Editor, and go to step 11 below.

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{0DB7E03F-FC29-4DC6-9020-FF41B59E513A}\DefaultIcon

    Change Icons of Folders in This PC in Windows 10-3d_objects_folder.jpg


     5. To Change Icon of Desktop Folder

    A) Navigate to the key below in the left pane of Registry Editor, and go to step 11 below.

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{B4BFCC3A-DB2C-424C-B029-7FE99A87C641}\DefaultIcon

    Change Icons of Folders in This PC in Windows 10-desktop_folder.jpg


     6. To Change Icon of Documents Folder

    A) Navigate to the key below in the left pane of Registry Editor, and go to step 11 below.

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{d3162b92-9365-467a-956b-92703aca08af}\DefaultIcon

    Change Icons of Folders in This PC in Windows 10-documents_folder.jpg


     7. To Change Icon of Downloads Folder

    A) Navigate to the key below in the left pane of Registry Editor, and go to step 11 below.

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{088e3905-0323-4b02-9826-5d99428e115f}\DefaultIcon

    Change Icons of Folders in This PC in Windows 10-downloads_folder.jpg


     8. To Change Icon of Music Folder

    A) Navigate to the key below in the left pane of Registry Editor, and go to step 11 below.

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{3dfdf296-dbec-4fb4-81d1-6a3438bcf4de}\DefaultIcon

    Change Icons of Folders in This PC in Windows 10-music_folder.jpg


     9. To Change Icon of Pictures Folder

    A) Navigate to the key below in the left pane of Registry Editor, and go to step 11 below.

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{24ad3ad4-a569-4530-98e1-ab02f9417aa8}\DefaultIcon

    Change Icons of Folders in This PC in Windows 10-pictures_folder.jpg


     10. To Change Icon of Videos Folder

    A) Navigate to the key below in the left pane of Registry Editor, and go to step 11 below.

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{f86fa3ab-70d2-4fc7-9c99-fcbf05467f3a}\DefaultIcon

    Change Icons of Folders in This PC in Windows 10-videos_folder.jpg


    11 Change the owner (click on link) of the DefaultIcon key in the left pane of Registry Editor to be the Administrators group.

    12 Set permissions (click on link) of the DefaultIcon key in the left pane of Registry Editor to Allow the Administrators group Full control.

    13 In the right pane of the DefaultIcon key, double click/tap on the (Default) value to modify it.

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

    The .ico file will need to be located in either folder below for it to be applied to all users.

    - C:\Users\Public
    - C:\Windows
    - C:\Windows\System32

    Change Icons of Folders in This PC in Windows 10-modify.jpg

    Folder Default Icon
    3D Objects %SystemRoot%\system32\imageres.dll,-198
    Desktop %SystemRoot%\system32\imageres.dll,-183
    Documents %SystemRoot%\system32\imageres.dll,-112
    Downloads %SystemRoot%\system32\imageres.dll,-184
    Music %SystemRoot%\system32\imageres.dll,-108
    Pictures %SystemRoot%\system32\imageres.dll,-113
    Videos %SystemRoot%\system32\imageres.dll,-189

    15 When finished, close Registry Editor.

    16 Refresh (F5) the This PC window of File Explorer if open to apply.


    That's it,
    Shawn






  1. Posts : 68,652
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #1

    Tutorial updated to add Option One to change This PC "Folders" icons for current user only.
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 1
    Windows 10 Pro
       #2

    Brink said:
    Tutorial updated to add Option One to change This PC "Folders" icons for current user only.
    Hi, I would like to know if this works for Windows 10, Version 1809 (Compilation of OS 17763.55).

    I would like to know if this also affects normal folders or not. Since what I want to do is change the default image of the windows folders by one of mine. I would also like to know if doing this when I make a new folder on the desktop, videos, images, external memory will be the folder icon that I decided to change.

    If not, I would like to know if you could do a tutorial to change the icon of normal windows folders please: 3.

    I know I can change the icons of the folders of my windows 10 with programs, but the truth is I can not trust the "non-malicious" programs that modify my windows registry. Apart from that I do not know what they are modifying from my windows, I prefer to do it manually and know what it is that I am changing myself.

    Here I leave an image:
    Change Icons of Folders in This PC in Windows 10-1.jpg

    By the way, I have another doubt, in the following image you will see that some folders have arrows and others do not (folders compressed by windows). I would like to know if changing the image of the normal folders will also affect them, if it does not affect them I would like you to also include them in another post or in the same one, in order to change the icon for another one, if you would please.

    Change Icons of Folders in This PC in Windows 10-2.jpg

    Thanks for your time. :).
    Last edited by Brink; 13 Oct 2018 at 09:18. Reason: translated to English
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 68,652
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Hello Dafont, and welcome to Ten Forums.

    I don't think this will work for the "C:\Windows" folder since I'm not aware of it having a CLSID that could be used.

    If you like, you could create a new thread in the Customization - Windows 10 Forums area to see if someone may know a way for you.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 120
    Windows 10
       #4

    I think I did something wrong I followed the rules for the first option and the folder did not change for "Desktop" what I am trying to do if possible is change the folder itself and then the icons inside the folders.

    Example the first image on this tutorial shows "3D" as a blue cube and also the same blue cube inside a yellow folder. I want to change the folders to the folder in the image below and also change the icons inside with the icons in the image as well. Plus I was also wondering is it possible to change the icons inside the folder icon if the folder icon is empty.

    Change Icons of Folders in This PC in Windows 10-folder-icon-help.jpg

    Plus the location of the icon was at C:\Users\pawn\Documents\Ico so all I typed was "C:\Users\pawn\Documents\Ico" not .ico since I didn't know how to put it in there correctly.

    "I went to documents and then ico folder where the icons are located and then right clicked on the icon I wanted to use but I think I did it wrong."

    Change Icons of Folders in This PC in Windows 10-violet-folder.jpg

    Am I doing something wrong or is this tutorial just for the actual symbol icons. "Example the blue cube."
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 68,652
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Hello Dawn,

    This wouldn't change the default folder, but only the icon for the folder.

    You could use the tutorial below to change the default folder used for all folders.

    Folder Icon - Change Default Icon - Windows 7 Help Forums
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 41
    windows 10 pro
       #6

    Hello,
    I tried to change icons with option one, but no changes
    the keys were not present , so I create and also defaulticon then I put the full path with quotes, but nothing happens
    can you help me please , thank you

    ps : is this restrictions applies to option one too ? :
    The .ico file will need to be located in either folder below for it to be applied to all users.

    C:\Users\Public
    C:\Windows
    C:\Windows\System32
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 68,652
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Hello @pepito451,

    The keys and values are not there by default for Option One, so yeah they would have to be added.

    The .ico file location is not restricted to those locations for Option One since it only gets applied to your account (current user).

    I guess for now, let's see some screenshots of your registry settings from Option One, and how it looks in File Explorer > This PC to see if anything may stand out.
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 41
    windows 10 pro
       #8

    hello,
    here is example for documents icone in registery
    Change Icons of Folders in This PC in Windows 10-annotation-2019-07-08-171539.png

    here is explorer with no changes for documents icon
    Change Icons of Folders in This PC in Windows 10-annotation-2019-07-08-171806.png

    as you can see I managed to change some icones already
    I did made a try also with desktop.ini with no results
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 68,652
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #9

    I see the problem.

    Your CLSID long number keys in the left pane do not have the { } brackets wrapped around them like the others.
      My Computers


 

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