Changing the icon for expand/collapse folder in windows explorer


  1. Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
       #1

    Changing the icon for expand/collapse folder in windows explorer


    Hi

    Is it possible to change the expand/collapse image that is used in windows explorer and regedit?
    At the moment mine are triangles that, when the folder is collapsed is only an outline and points to the folder name and when the folder is open the triangle is full color and point down and to the right.
    What I want to do is try and give them different colors, but I have no idea where to start looking and I read the tutorials for changing the folders and thought it would be the perfect place to ask :)
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 72,036
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #2

    Hello Mald, and welcome to Seven Forums.

    You might see if changing the open folder icon in a folder tree may help for this.

    Open Folder Icon - Change

    Hope this helps, :)
    Shawn
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    its kind of what I want, but from what I can read in that oterwise great tutorial it changes the yellow folder while what I want to change is the arrow next to it.

    I know if I change my theme to 1 of the high contrast ones, the arrows are turned into + for closed folders and - for open folders.. it might be part of how the whole tree-view is rendered, but if they have the images somewhere it should be possible to manipulate them
      My Computer


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

    Welcome to the Seven Forums

    If you are using the default Aero theme those images are located in the aero.msstyles image #928, 929, 930 depending on your DPI setting.
    Changing the icon for expand/collapse folder in windows explorer-explorer__treeview_glyph_dpiminimal-dpi_-144.png

    You will need a resource hacker and a image editor to do it.

    I would recommend that you create a new theme so you do not corrupt the original look at Post #38 Here it will show you how. This makes it a custom theme so you will need to do 1 of these 2 ways of Enabling custom themes for it to work.
    Enabling Custom Themes - Windows 7
    Or
    Theme - How to Apply Custom Themes

    If you have any trouble editing the .msstyles or if it is too difficult let me know and I can change it for you using Windows Style Builder and Photoshop and posted here in a zip folder.

    Let me know how you are doing.
    Jerry
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thanks, that was just the thing

    Now I can actually see the arrows on my dark theme
      My Computer


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

    You're Welcome
      My Computer


 

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