Can I configure Windows Explorer to use a single program icon?


  1. xpda
    Posts : 24
    Windows 7
       New #1

    Can I configure Windows Explorer to use a single program icon?


    Windows explorer uses one program icon for Computer, a different icon for drive C:, another for folders and files, and yet others for libraries. (I am not talking about the icons inside Windows Explorer, I'm talking about the icon you see on the taskbar or Alt-Tab).

    When I use Alt-Tab or glance at the taskbar, I would like to see a single, recognizable icon for Windows Explorer. Is it possible to configure Windows Explorer to use a single program icon no matter what you're looking at?
      My Computer
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  3. AmericanPharaoh
    Posts : 2,190
    Win7, Win10, Win11
       New #2

    If I'm understanding you correctly?

    Do you have Quick Launch Bar enabled? This is the icons located at the left side of the taskbar. The Window Explorer icon appears as a yellow envelope.

    Guided Help: Enable the Quick Launch bar in Windows 7
      My Computers
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  4. xpda
    Posts : 24
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    johnsmith45jock said:
    If I'm understanding you correctly?

    Do you have Quick Launch Bar enabled? This is the icons located at the left side of the taskbar. The Window Explorer icon appears as a yellow envelope.

    Guided Help: Enable the Quick Launch bar in Windows 7
    Right. But when it's running, Windows Explorer's icon changes depending on what's being viewed at the time. Files and folders keep the folder. When you view "Computer", the icon changes to a computer, which is similar to the remote destop icon. When you view Drive C:, the Windows Explorer icon looks like a 300 baud modem, etc. I would like it to remain the same no matter what is being viewed. The icon in Alt-tab is actually more important to me than the task bar or quick launch bar, but it changes in the same manner.
      My Computer
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  6. AmericanPharaoh
    Posts : 2,190
    Win7, Win10, Win11
       New #4

    I think what your describing is normal. Mine does this, as well. But, the icon change you see is not Windows Explorer icons changing, your seeing the icon for whatever folder or file your in.
      My Computers
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  7. xpda
    Posts : 24
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       New #5

    johnsmith45jock said:
    I think what your describing is normal. Mine does this, as well. But, the icon change you see is not Windows Explorer icons changing, your seeing the icon for whatever folder or file your in.
    I realize that's normal. But is it possible to configure Windows Explorer so the icon does not change?
      My Computer
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  8. Bongo
    Posts : 12,120
    Win 7 Pro x64 / Win 10 Pro
       New #6

    It can be done but you would need to change the at least the icons I highlighted in red(kind of hard to see sorry) maybe some more with the 1 icon you want with a resource hacker.

    These icons are in the imageres.dll in C:\Windows\System32 for 32 bit(x86) and both C:\Windows\System32 and C:\Windows\SysWOW64 for 64 bit (x64)
    Then:
    To properly change a system file you need to take ownership give yourself permission and rename the old file and then copy in the new one look at Post #6 of this thread will tell you how to do it Basic Networking Information

    Jerry
    Can I configure Windows Explorer to use a single program icon?-icons.jpg
      My Computer
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  10. xpda
    Posts : 24
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       New #7

    Thank you! I didn't think of that. I'll just change the ones that get on my nerves, like Computer and the drives.
      My Computer
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  11. Bongo
    Posts : 12,120
    Win 7 Pro x64 / Win 10 Pro
       New #8

    You're Welcome
      My Computer
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