How to change a folder icon in Windows 11 and 10

Windows lets you give any folder or shortcut its own icon.

The catch is that the Change Icon dialog only accepts .ico files, not PNG or JPG.

Convert your picture first, then apply it in a few clicks.

1. Prepare the icon

1. Pick a square image. Simple shapes and bold colours read best at small sizes.
2. If it's a JPG or has a background you don't want, make a PNG with a transparent background first.
3. Convert it with the PNG to ICO converter and download the .ico.
4. Move the .ico to a permanent place, for example Documents\Icons.

2. Change a folder's icon

1. Right-click the folder and choose Properties.
2. Open the Customize tab.
3. Under Folder icons, click Change Icon…
4. Click Browse…, select your .ico and click Open.
5. Click OK, then Apply.

Windows stores the choice in a hidden desktop.ini file inside the folder. Leave that file in place.

To undo it, return to the same dialog and click Restore Defaults.

3. Change a shortcut's icon

1. Right-click the shortcut and choose Properties.
2. On the Shortcut tab, click Change Icon…
3. Browse to your .ico and confirm with OK.

This works for desktop shortcuts and for shortcuts you pin to the taskbar or Start menu afterwards.

4. No Customize tab?

Some locations don't offer it, such as drive roots, libraries and certain system folders. Folders inside them usually do have the tab, so you can customise those instead.

5. Icon not updating?

Windows keeps an icon cache, so a new icon can take a while to appear. Closing and reopening the window often helps.

If it doesn't, follow the icon cache fix. A blurry custom icon usually means the .ico lacks the size Windows needs; a converted multi-size file solves that.

Related guides

• Windows icon sizes: which ones an .ico should contain
• ICO not working? Fixes for the most common problems
• Favicon sizes: which ones you actually need