Sometimes users think about how to change icons in Windows 7. This is a simple task, but not every user is familiar with it. In fact, processes do not require any special skills and knowledge. It is enough to follow the simplest instructions to implement the task. Below we will look at the best ways to replace icons in Windows.
Problem Solving Methods
It is worth paying attention to the fact that there are a lot of options for the development of events. When thinking about how to change icons in Windows 7, you need to understand that the algorithm of actions will depend on the situation.
At the moment, you can change:
- shortcuts
- folder pictures;
- Start menu image
- operating system "Recycle Bin" icon.
In addition, you can cope with the task:
- using programs;
- manually;
- through the system services of the operating system.
In fact, everything is simpler than it seems. And even a student can change the folder icon in Windows 7 and not only.
Change the image of folders
Let's start with the folders. Their icons are found by users most often. And the design of the operating system often depends on them.
How to change icons in Windows 7? The guide for adjusting folder images is as follows:
- Click on the desired data store on the PCM desktop.
- Select the line "Properties".
- Go to the "Settings" tab.
- Click on the "Change Icon" button.
- Select a suitable image from the list that appears. If necessary, you can click on the "Browse" button and specify the path to the new Windows icons.
- Click on "OK."
That's all. Now the user will be able to change the folder images. It is not as difficult as it seems.
File shortcuts
And how to change the file icon in Windows 7? The algorithm of actions under such circumstances will not differ much from the previously proposed instructions.
You have to act like this:
- Right click on the file.
- Go to the "Properties" section. It will be displayed in the function menu that appears.
- Click on "Change icon ...". The corresponding control is located in the "Shortcut" section.
- Choose a suitable picture.
- Confirm actions done.
It is done. How to change Windows 7 icon icons ? The answer to this question will no longer make you think. In any case, we have already met with the basic operations. All of them are carried out either manually or by system services.
Icon archive replacement
How to change icons in Windows 7? You can immediately change the styling of all pictures of the operating system - both files and folders. You will have to try a little for this. The most difficult task is the selection of icons.
Once the image archive is found and downloaded to the PC, you should:
- Click RMB anywhere on the desktop. You must select a free area on the screen.
- Go to the "Personalization" section.
- In the menu in the upper left part of the window, click on "Change icons ...".
- Click on "Change icon ...".
- Choose a suitable image archive.
Important: you can simply download and install the style for Windows 7. Then the icons will be replaced with new ones automatically. But this is not the best solution.
Basket and its correction
How to change the trash can icon in Windows 7? This question is of interest only to individual users. Usually the basket is left without any adjustments. It is very comfortable.
If you want to change the picture of the "Basket" service, you can cope with the task using the previously proposed action algorithm. But after 3 steps you’ll have to select “Recycle Bin”, only then click on “Change Icon”.
The actions taken help to change the image of the recycle bin in Windows 7. It is recommended not to experiment - the user is more accustomed to see the usual trash bin as the "Recycle Bin".
Change the Start menu
The next development scenario is changing the Start icon. This will require specialized software. For example, the Windows 7 Start Button Changer program. With its help, the realization of ideas in life will take only a few minutes.
It is proposed to act as follows:
- Launch Windows 7 Start Button. You need to start working with the utility on behalf of the administrator.
- In the menu that appears, select the image that will be displayed in the Start menu.
- Confirm the operation.
Just a couple of minutes - and the job is done. As you can see, no skills are required from the user. Just one free program and icon archive.
Change themes in Windows 7
How to change icons in Windows 7? We have already said that sometimes to implement the task users can simply change the themes of the operating system. This will lead to massive graphical changes to the OS.
Step by step, the process of adjusting the topic looks like this:
- Right-click on an empty spot on the desktop.
- Select the "Personalization" option.
- Click on a suitable topic in the corresponding log. To find new options, you can turn on the Internet and click on the "Search new on the Internet" hyperlink. If necessary, download the topic of interest to your PC.
- Click on the button that confirms the corrections.
In just a couple of seconds, the design of the operating system will be changed. And with it, Windows icons may change.
Icon Formats
We figured out how to change the desktop icons in Windows 7. It's not that hard to do. And even the student will be able to cope with the task.
It is important to pay attention to the fact that icons are recognized only with a certain format of the relevant documents.
At the moment, the .ico format is most often used in Windows. Less commonly - .png. It is these formats that will be recognized as icons.
In addition, Windows 7 allows you to install image archives for folders and files in .dll or .exe formats. Relevant extensions should not scare users. These are not viruses, and therefore they can be used. The main thing is to download icons from trusted sources.
Important: image archives must be unpacked first. You can upload data to any convenient place, preferably in a separate folder. So looking for icons for the OS will be much easier.
Restore old images
And how to change the icons in Windows 7 back? Often users upgrade their operating systems, and then they don’t know how to return the initial parameters of Windows. To cope with the task is sometimes difficult. Especially if you do not know where the archives with system (initial) icons are stored.
Standard pictures can be found in the following ways:
- C: \ Windows \ System32 \ shell32.dll;
- C: \ Windows \ System32 \ imageres.dll;
- C: \ Windows \ System32 \ ddores.dll.
It is at these addresses that you can find the standard Windows icons. They are restored according to the principles presented earlier.
Important: if you do not want to search for the corresponding image archives, you can simply click on the "Restore Default" button in the "Change Icon ..." menu. Then the operating system settings will be restored.
Summary
We figured out how to change the icons in Windows 7. Sometimes users work with specialized programs to adjust pictures of folders and files. Most of them are free.
You can use the following applications:
- Restorator
- IconPackager
- AveIcon 2;
- IrfanView
Using the last two utilities, users can independently create icons. It is very comfortable!