Windows 7: Notification Area Icons - Customize

   Information

This will show you how to change the Notification Area icons to be any custom icon you would like instead in Windows 7.

   Note

Tools needed :
1. Resource Hacker .
2. System File Replacer
3. IcoFX - The Free Icon Editor ; if you want to make or edit icons .

   Warning

To be safe and secured, it is better to Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup before starting any customization activities. Moreover, I recommend to have manual backup (copy and paste in a secured place) of the files before modifying, so that it may be changed easily to default as and when it is needed .

OPTION ONE

Change Volume Notification Icon

1. Open Resource Hacker ; Browse to C:\Windows\system32\SndVolSSO.dll .

2. Change the icon group numbers in the box with appropriate icons as stated in step 3.

3. Expand (click on theplus sign before) 120 , click on 1033 .

4. Now Click on Action > Replace icon . In the resulting window click on "Open File With a New Icon" and then "Replace" .
NOTE: If in between this action it says "Out of System Resources", dont worry, nad just click on "OK" button . If the original or replacement icon dont have all the 12 layers, such notification occurs. Do the same thing for the rest icon group numbers.

5. Now Click File > Save As ... give the name "SndVolSSO.dll ; and save it on Desktop.

6. Open System File Replacer, browse to the original first, then browse to the new, replace file and reboot . The change will take place after restart.

OPTION TWO

Change Network Notification Icon

1. Open Resource Hacker and browse to C:\Windows\System32\pnidui.dll

2. Change the icon groups located in the box with appropriate icons.

3. Proceed as in volume icon , when finished save the file as pnidui.dll on desktop.

4. Replace the newly created file with the original using System File Replacer and reboot . The change will take place just after the reboot .

OPTION THREE

Change Action Center Notification Icon

1. Open Resource Hacker and browse to C:\Windows\System32\ActionCenter.dll

2. Change the icon groups located in the box with appropriate icons . (Usually it is not needed to change 8 and 9; but you may do it if you want .)

3. Proceed as in volume icon , when finished save the file as ActionCenter.dll on desktop .

4. Replace the newly created file with the original using System File Replacer and reboot. The change will take place just after the reboot .

OPTION FOUR

How to Restore Default Icons