Windows 7 - Downloads Library - Create

**Brink**

How to Create a Windows 7 "Downloads" Library with the Correct Icon

Information

This will show you how to create a Downloads library in Windows 7 that has the original default Downloads library icon with the blue arrow pointing downwards on a glass plate.

EXAMPLE: Original Downloads Library Icon

Here's How:

1. To Download the Downloads Library Icon
A) Click on the Download button below to download the Downloads_Library.zip file that contains the original Downloads library icon.

B) Click on Save, and save the ZIP file to your desktop.

C) Double click on the ZIP file to open it, then extract (drag and frop) the Downloads_Library.ico file to the location that you want to keep it at.
WARNING: The icon file will need to remain at this location while it is being used (step 3) for the Downloads library. If you move it, then the icon will no longer be displayed for the Downloads library.

D) Right click on the Downloads_Library.ico file, and click on Properties, General tab, on the Unblock button, and on OK. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If you do not have a Unblock button under the General tab, then the shortcut is already unblocked and you can continue on to step 2.

2. To Create the Downloads Library
A) In Windows Explorer, navigate to your C:\Users\(user-name) folder, then create a new library with the Downloads folder. (see screenshot below)

B) Open the new Downloads library, and include the C:\Users\Public\Public Downloads folder. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If you like, you could include any other folder location(s) that you would like to also be included inside the Downloads library as well.

3. To Change the Downloads Library Icon
A) Change the Downloads library icon to use the Downloads_Library.ico icon file at the location you have saved it to in step 1. (See screenshots below)

Note

For example, I saved my icon from step 1 to C:\Users\(user-name)\My Documents, so I would add the line below (right screenshot below) while changing the icon at step 5 at that link.

<iconReference>"C:\Users\User-Name\Documents\Downloads_Library.ico"</iconReference>

You would substitute the path in red to the full path of where you saved the Downloads_Library.ico file instead in step 1.

4. You will now notice that the Downloads library icon has changed.
NOTE: See example screenshot at the top of the tutorial.

That's it,
Shawn

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**Airbot** · 05-26-2009

Thanks Shawn, it worked out.

**Brink** · 05-26-2009

You're welcome Aaron.

**mustangman16** · 06-09-2009

Thanks Brink Icon looks great but the instructions were even better!

**Brink** · 06-09-2009

You're welcome Mustangman. Thank you.

**headland** · 11-19-2009

I have tried the suggestions but cannot download any files. I look in the download folder and its empty. I am unable to save anything to my desktop. Any advice would be most appreciated.

Tks
Harry

**Brink** · 11-19-2009

Hello Harry, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Do you have problems with opening any other ZIP files and see it's contents? This is what you should see after double clicking on the downloaded ZIP folder to extract the ICO file in it. Does your antivirus or security program filter ZIP files?

**jplinux3** · 11-20-2009

when i try to open donwnload library the system tells mi that cant find route.

please help

thanks

**Brink** · 11-20-2009

Hello JP,

Where did you save the ZIP file to, and where did you save the extracted ICO file from the ZIP file to?

**headland** · 11-20-2009

thanks Brink but I don't see how the set the download location. Right clicking does not give me the option of saving to a particular location. it seems I can no longer download directly to the desktop. I guess I'm messing up something by not fully understanding libraries. using XP I can always download directly to a folder. However Windows 7 just doesn't want to accommodate me.

Harry

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