Get Windows 7 Folder Icons in Windows 10 - How-To Guide
Restoring the Classic Folder Icon in Windows 10
With the release of Windows 10, Microsoft opted for a redesigned default folder icon. This new icon features a flat, closed folder appearance.
Users who favored the more traditional, open folder icon from Windows 7 can revert to it through a simple modification of the Windows Registry.
Changing the Default Folder Icon
While it’s straightforward to alter the icon of individual folders by right-clicking and selecting "Properties," a registry edit is necessary to apply the change universally across all folders.
This method allows for a system-wide alteration, ensuring consistency in the visual representation of folders throughout Windows 10.
Using the Registry Editor
To implement this change, access to the Windows Registry Editor is required. This tool enables modifications to the underlying system settings.
Care should be exercised when working with the Registry Editor, as incorrect changes can potentially affect system stability. It is recommended to create a system restore point before proceeding.
- The process involves locating specific registry keys and altering their values.
- This effectively instructs Windows 10 to display the classic open folder icon as the default.
By utilizing this registry tweak, users can personalize their Windows 10 experience and restore a familiar visual element.
Modifying Folder Icons to Reflect the Windows 7 Aesthetic via Registry Editor
A standard disclaimer: The Registry Editor is a potent system tool, and improper usage can lead to system instability or render your operating system unusable. This particular modification is relatively straightforward, and adherence to the provided instructions should mitigate risks. However, if you are unfamiliar with its operation, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with Registry Editor usage before proceeding. Furthermore, creating a Registry backup (and a full system backup) prior to making any alterations is strongly recommended.
Initially, the Windows 7 folder icon file must be downloaded. Extract the Folder.ico file from the downloaded archive. Place this file within a directory on your computer’s hard drive. The specific location is not critical, but ensure the .ico file remains accessible, avoiding temporary folders like the desktop.
Next, launch the Registry Editor. This can be accomplished by clicking the Start button and typing regedit. Press Enter to initiate the Registry Editor, or select "regedit" from the "Best match" results.
Grant the Registry Editor the necessary permissions to modify your PC’s settings.
Note: The appearance of this prompt is contingent upon your User Account Control configuration.
Within the left-hand pane’s hierarchical structure, navigate to the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
Right-click on the "Explorer" key and choose "New > Key" from the context menu.
Enter Shell Icons as the name for the newly created key and press Enter.
In the right-hand pane, right-click within the empty space and select "New > String Value" from the context menu.
Type 3 as the name for this new string value and press Enter.
The full path to the Folder.ico file is now required. To obtain this, hold down the Shift key while right-clicking the file in File Explorer, then select "Copy as path" from the resulting menu.
Return to the Registry Editor and double-click the newly created 3 string value. Paste the copied path into the "Value data" field and click "OK". The quotation marks are automatically included during pasting and are necessary if spaces are present in the path. Their inclusion is harmless even if no spaces exist.
Create another new string value, mirroring the process used for 3, but name it 4. Double-click the 4 string value and input the same path to the Folder.ico file as the Value data.
Exit the Registry Editor by selecting "Exit" from the "File" menu.
Finally, restart explorer.exe to apply the changes. This ensures the new folder icons are displayed correctly.
Resolving Issues with Icon Updates
Should you encounter a situation where folder icons are not updating as expected, even after a restart of explorer.exe, several troubleshooting steps can be taken.
Initially, a full system reboot is recommended. While seemingly redundant, a complete restart has, in some instances, resolved icon display problems that persisted after restarting explorer.exe alone.
If a system reboot doesn't rectify the issue, consider enabling the setting to consistently display icons rather than thumbnails. This can be achieved through File Explorer's settings.
Open File Explorer and navigate to the "View" tab to access the necessary options.
Within the "View" tab, locate and click the "Options" button.
The Folder Options dialog box will appear. Select the "View" tab and then check the box labeled "Always show icons, never thumbnails" within the Advanced settings section. Confirm your selection by clicking "OK".
Another potential solution involves rebuilding the icon cache. This process refreshes the system's stored icon data. A utility like Rebuild Icon Cache can be downloaded for this purpose.
Extract the "Rebuild Icon Cache.exe" file from the downloaded archive. Installation is not required; simply double-click the executable to launch it.
Within the application window, select the "Rebuilds the Icon Cache" button located on the left-hand side. The existing icon cache database will be backed up, then rebuilt, and explorer.exe will be automatically restarted.
Restoring the Standard Windows 10 Folder Icon
Should you wish to revert to the original Windows 10 folder icon, the key created during customization must be removed. Re-open the Registry Editor and proceed to the following location:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Icons
Locate the Shell Icons key within the Registry Editor’s left pane. Right-click on this key to bring up a context menu, then choose the "Delete" option.
A confirmation prompt will appear. Select "Yes" within the "Confirm Key Delete" dialog box to proceed with the removal.
Deleting this key will restore the default folder icons used by Windows 10. The changes should be visible immediately after confirmation.
Simplified Registry Hacks for Folder Icon Customization
For users who prefer not to manually edit the Windows Registry, pre-configured registry hacks are available for download. These files streamline the process of altering folder icons. A hack is provided to implement the classic Windows 7 folder icon style, and another to restore the standard Windows 10 folder icon appearance.
Both of these modifications can be applied using a single ZIP archive. To activate the Windows 7 folder icon, simply double-click the "Change to the Windows 7 Folder Icon.reg" file and follow the on-screen instructions. Conversely, to revert to the default Windows 10 icon, double-click the "Change back to the Windows 10 Folder Icon.reg" file.
Applying the Changes
After executing the desired registry hack, it’s essential to either log out of your user account and log back in, or terminate and restart the explorer.exe process. This ensures that the icon changes are fully implemented and visible throughout the system.
Understanding the Registry Hacks
These downloadable hacks are essentially exported .REG files containing the specific registry keys and values discussed previously. They automate the addition or removal of these keys and values, simplifying the customization process.
The "Change to the Windows 7 Folder Icon.reg" hack specifically creates the "Shell Icons" key within the registry and adds the string values "3" and "4". However, it's crucial to verify that the file path within the hack accurately reflects the location of the Folder.ico file on your system.
Customizing the File Path
If you have modified the location or name of your Folder.ico file, you must update the path within the .REG file accordingly. Ensure that you use double backslashes to separate the path components, maintaining the integrity of the remaining path as illustrated in the image below.
For those comfortable with direct Registry editing, gaining proficiency in creating custom registry hacks can offer a greater degree of control over system personalization.
