How do I use custom folder icon but still get file thumbnails

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  1. Posts : 13
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #1

    How do I use custom folder icon but still get file thumbnails


    Hi everyone,

    I have used a bunch of tutorials from this site over the last few years and never joined up. However, I am infuriated at windows 7 not letting me get my own way with custom icons! Infuriated enough to sign up.

    All I wanted was a custom folders icon (for ALL folders) which can be done easy enough, but the catch 22, in order to do this properly, one must turn off thumbnails (organise > folder options > view > always show icons, never thumbnails).

    This means you end up with a window with a couple of hundred identical jpeg/png/whatever icons... not very useful when you need a quick overview of contained images within the folder.

    So, we turn the thumbnails back on, ah thats better, we can quickly see our images again! Oh wait, those disgusting yellow overlayed thumbnail folders are back!

    There needs to be another option in windows 7:

    Always show icons (folders only), show file thumbnails

    Would be great but I can't find any way to achieve this. Even iconpackager can't do this and I bloody bought it! All that happens is that you end up with your nice custom icon, with a little bit of photo thumbnail sticking out the bottom of it, so you have to 'always show icons, never thumbnails'... well that was a waste of money!

    I would install linux instead if it were more useful, changing ALL icons is easy and makes sense in that, and takes about 5mins! I have a lovely custom theme, of course, let down by those yellow folder icons that make me want to puke!

    Has anyone found a way yet to overcome this in windows 7?

    Sam.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 12,120
    Win 7 Pro x64 / Win 10 Pro
       #2

    Welcome to the Seven Forums

    It can be done look at this tutorial Folder Icon - Change Default Icon
    How do I use custom folder icon but still get file thumbnails-my-music.png


    You need to have to icons built just right for thumbnails to show look at screenshot you need a back and a front for it to work.
    How do I use custom folder icon but still get file thumbnails-folder.png

    Look at this thread Custom made icons [1] there are some made up in there.

    Jerry
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 13
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Hi Jerry,

    Thanks for the speedy reply. I saw that tutorial and am comfortable enough in following them. You all do a great job in this forum and should be very proud, some great tutorials.

    The top windows icon here:

    Custom made icons [1]

    How would this work with thumbnails turned on? It seems my only option is to create a folder that is identical to the windows one, just a different colour, although, even that would do! It's the yellow I'm most against, lol.

    Why do windows so these stupid things? Their 'effects' go out of date quicker than a pint of milk left outside in the sun. Think of 'aero', *sigh*. Then think mac osx, plain blue folder, timeless, lovely, and image thumbnails too along with that plain folder!

    Sam.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 12,120
    Win 7 Pro x64 / Win 10 Pro
       #4

    samwillc said:

    The top windows icon here:

    Custom made icons [1]

    How would this work with thumbnails turned on? It seems my only option is to create a folder that is identical to the windows one, just a different colour, although, even that would do! It's the yellow I'm most against, lol.

    Sam.
    Hi Sam that particular icon would not work because it was not built right. And you are correct your option is to create a folder it doesn't have to be identical as the window ones and then the color you want and you can make the front one transparent which gives you more see-through like in my example up above, if you look thought that entire thread you will see some pretty nice icons already made just remember icons have many layers and should be built that way.
    Let me know if I can be of more help.
    Jerry
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 13
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Hi Jerry,

    I do have another query actually, thanks for the help.

    There are five icons:

    1) Back (5.ico)
    2) Front (6.ico)
    3) Folder with contained folder/files (162.ico)

    I am confused about the 3 & 4 icon, are they two separate images?

    If I used a resource hacker, would I use the single (3 & 4 .ico) for both 3 and 4 registry entries respectively?

    Thanks,

    Sam.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 12,120
    Win 7 Pro x64 / Win 10 Pro
       #6

    Yes you do I'm not entirely sure what 3 and 4 do I know one of them I'm not sure which one is for new folders but yeah what ever you put in 3 you need to put in 4.
    Jerry
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 13
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Thanks Jerry.

    One thing still 'concerns' me is that a lot of the icons wont be changed, is that correct? i.e the folder icons at C:\Users\Sam (i.e. downloads, documents).

    If using a custom folder, this would just look odd having no uniformity to the theme.

    Sam.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 12,120
    Win 7 Pro x64 / Win 10 Pro
       #8

    Yes you are correct your User folders are in the same imageres.dll they are different from the folder icons, and your User folders to not show thumbnails anyway. If you look to that same custom icon thread you will see user folders and library folders in there to.
    If you need to know the numbers for them icons let me know.
    Jerry
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 13
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Yes please, if you can.

    Sam.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 12,120
    Win 7 Pro x64 / Win 10 Pro
       #10

    Here are 2 screenshots of all the icons in that imageres.dll just look at the icon in your user folder or library and match it to the number in the screenshots that's how I learned to do it.
    If you need more help let me know.
    Jerry
    How do I use custom folder icon but still get file thumbnails-1.pngHow do I use custom folder icon but still get file thumbnails-2.png
      My Computer


 
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