Windows 7: Printer Icons

Sorry if this has been discussed, "search" was not very friendly to me.



How can I assign custom printer icons to each of my printers?

Thanks.

Its a bit tricky but I know of only one way. Goto
C:\Users\YOURNAME\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Device Metadata\dmrccache\en-US

Where YOURNAME is your user account name. There you will see subfolders corresponding to your installed devices. Within each sub folder you'll see a folder named 'DeviceInformation'. Within that folder is the icon for your device.

You can either replace the icon itself. Or, you can edit the DeviceInfo.xml file and specify a different icon to use.

Let me know if I need to clarify any steps.

Disk4mat - you are the man!

Worked perfectly! Well, almost. When I replaced the "default" device.ico with a new icon with the same name, the new device.ico actually changed to the old printer icon. Weird. Maybe something to do with something open.

At any rate, editing the .xml to a different name, the name of the original new .ico that I moved into the folder, worked like a charm.

Thanks again!

Your welcome! The reason the icon didnt change with the same name is a bug actually that existed in Vista. When the same name is used Windows renders the icon from the icon cache.

But glad you got that working and thanks for the rep. Much appreciated.

Hello, I am having the same problem, but I can't seem to find my printer in that folder. I just added a wireless printer to my network and when I pull up the CP the old printer that was a HP Deskjet 3940 (small printer) now has the Multifunction printer icon, which should be for the new Epson Workforce printer and the Epson was given the small printer icon of the old HP. I went to the en-us folder as you described, but only found my old printer info there with the MF icon. I could not find my new Epson in there at all. I found: my laptop, my mouse, my old printer, a scandisk, and a generic receiver (I think this is the router?)
Also, if I could find that folder, can you explain just how you go about changing the icon? I noticed you talked about editing the xml. file, but where do I find the other icon to exchange?
Thanks, Meri

Well, to start. You only have to edit the XML file if you want to use an icon located some place else. Otherwise, you ony need replace the existing icon.

Its hard to say which folder will hold the device (your printer) in what folder. It will be one of the ones listed under...

C:\Users\YOURNAME\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Device Metadata\dmrccache\en-US

The Epson should be there. Even if the printer is offline or not connected.

I found 2 entries (folders) at this location.
1. b3004f87-774a-4cc6-9c51-89264da4ed5a for <DeviceCategory>Media.Storage.Flash</DeviceCategory>
2. 63921eef-8415-4368-9201-f0df4af5778f for <DeviceCategory>PrintFax.Printer</DeviceCategory>

Neither of these are for my HP printers. I could find not folders for HP within users or Program Files.

How do you make the xml changes to affect all users when they log in?

And what if the AppData folder doesn't show? Where is the folder options option?

Ok, nevermind. I found it.

Now back to the previous question. : )

And, there are only 4 entries in the en-US folder with 2 having to do with installed printers. THere are 8 printers/copiers installed now. How can one determine which printer/copier icon one is working with?