Change Windows 7 Library Icons - Easy Guide

Customizing Windows 7 Library Icons

Do you desire to personalize the appearance of your Windows operating system? Specifically, have you considered altering the default icons used for Windows Libraries? While a direct modification through a text file is possible, a more streamlined approach exists. This article details both methods for achieving this customization.

The Simplified Method: Utilizing Library Icon Changer

If you're seeking a user-friendly solution, the Library Icon Changer tool, created by a developer on deviantART, offers a convenient way to modify your library icons. Pratik is credited with bringing this helpful utility to our attention.

Upon launching the application, you’ll encounter a display of available icons and a list of your libraries. Simply select the desired library from the right-hand panel, then choose a new icon from the left. Clicking "Select Icon from dll" will allow you to choose from default Windows icons.

Alternatively, if you prefer to use a custom icon file, the "Select new Icon from file" option provides that functionality.

To revert an icon to its original state, first select the corresponding library. Then, click the "Restore default icon" button within the tool.

Should you wish to utilize a different DLL file, select it and press the Enter key to apply the change.

The updated icon should appear almost immediately. If not, try refreshing the view with the F5 key. In some cases, logging off or restarting the explorer.exe process may be necessary.

You can download Replace Librarie Icons from deviantART [mirror copy]

The Manual Approach: Editing Library Files

For those who prefer not to install additional software, manual modification is possible using only Notepad. This method involves directly editing the library definition files.

To access the library files, paste the following path into the Start menu search box or the Explorer address bar:

%appdata%\microsoft\windows\libraries

Next, locate the icon file you wish to use in Explorer and drag it into an open Notepad window.

Within the file, you may find an existing iconReference line. If not, you will need to add one, formatted as follows:

<iconReference>C:\Windows\System32\shell32.dll,301</iconReference>

The text between the angle brackets specifies the icon's location. This can be a direct path to an .ico file, or a reference to a DLL file, in which case a comma and the icon's position within the DLL must be included.

By implementing either of these methods, you can successfully customize the icons associated with your Windows 7 Libraries, adding a personal touch to your user experience. While not a monumental change, it represents a fun and accessible way to personalize your system.