Windows 7: How do I customize the icon of the Desktop folder?

SnackCabinet · 11 Dec 2012

I was changing my documents, music, pictures, videos, etc. folders and I finally reached my Desktop folder. I right clicked it, went to properties, but there seems to be no "customize" tab to change the folder icon. Why is this? How do I change it? I am changing them from C:\Users\(user). Thanks in advance.

cytherian · 11 Dec 2012

I think the reason why you're not given user control over it is because it's not a folder. It's a unique node in the tree, the root element of your system. There may be a way to do it through themes, though. But of course, that's much more involved.

Incidentally, very cute username and matching icon.

SnackCabinet · 11 Dec 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by cytherian

I think the reason why you're not given user control over it is because it's not a folder. It's a unique node in the tree, the root element of your system. There may be a way to do it through themes, though. But of course, that's much more involved.

Would you know of anyway I could do this?

cytherian · 11 Dec 2012

It's not a simple answer, unfortunately. You'll have to get into theme creation. If you're interested, there are some tutorials about it like Custom Themes, How to Apply Custom Themes, and Theme Packs to name several.

Brink · 11 Dec 2012

Hello CosmicPoptart,

You could use OPTION TWO in the tutorial below to add "Customize" to the Desktop folder's properties page, then be able to change the icon.

User Folders - Change Default Icon

Hope this helps,

Shawn

cytherian · 11 Dec 2012

^ Well, I learned something new today! The User Name icon becomes the Desktop icon, so you can change it there. Pretty cool, Shawn.

SnackCabinet · 11 Dec 2012

Option two didn't work for me. I downloaded the right .reg, added and merged. Went to C:/users/(user) and tried to changed the desktop icon and there was no customize tab. And yes, I downloaded the "add customize tab". :\

Brink · 11 Dec 2012

CosmicPoptart,

I know I Know, but just to make sure, is it the Enable_Desktop_Customize_Icon.reg you downloaded?

If you haven't already, close and reopen Windows Explorer or log off/on, then see if the Customize tab has been added.

SnackCabinet · 12 Dec 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by Brink

CosmicPoptart,

I know I Know, but just to make sure, is it the Enable_Desktop_Customize_Icon.reg you downloaded?

If you haven't already, close and reopen Windows Explorer or log off/on, then see if the Customize tab has been added.

Yes, I did download Enable_Desktop_Customize_Icon.reg, still didn't work. Restarted Windows, didn't work. Restarted computer, didn't work. I did find a solution to it though. I used the program "Microangelo On Display", but thank you for your time!

Brink · 12 Dec 2012

Not sure why it didn't work for you, but happy to hear that you got it sorted by other means.

Windows 7: How do I customize the icon of the Desktop folder?

How do I customize the icon of the Desktop folder? problems?