Windows 7: User Folders - Change Default Icon

Corpsecrank · 14 Jul 2009

What is the best way to create a new custom icon for use in 7? I was using a really old crappy program to create them in XP but The program will no longer run in a modern OS such as vista and 7.

Brink · 14 Jul 2009

Hello Corpsecrank,

I have always like Axialis IconWorkshop. They have a trial period that you can use to create the Vista 256x256 type icon with.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Corpsecrank · 15 Jul 2009

I had that but it never worked out quite how I wanted it to.

I am thinking about using visual studio to pack png images into a dll and then load that to choose my icons from. If I did I think I could simply make png images in photoshop and then pack them into the dll and windows should be able to load them from there just fine.

That's the theory I plan to test anyhow.

Brink · 15 Jul 2009

Should work.

Corpsecrank · 15 Jul 2009

If it does I will be creating some common icon packs. I am a graphics designer so I will be all over the Windows 7 customization scene when it gets a final release.

Brink · 15 Jul 2009

I'll be looking forward to seeing your work with that now.

Corpsecrank · 15 Jul 2009

Yeah I got to thinking today and I think I may expand the existing system dll so that you can simply replace the default windows dll with the system icons and then upon changing icons you can choose the originals or hand pick from the customs I add to it.

I think that might be easier than adding a new dll to hunt for.

Everlong · 28 Jul 2009

I didn't like the Windows 7 user icon files, and prefer the Windows Vista ones, so thought I'd write a guide to how I changed them. You can't change the Contacts and Desktop user folder, but as I don't use these, I just set them to hidden instead.

Obtain a Windows Vista imageres.dll file by copying it from a Vista machine (Found in Windows>System32/SysWOW64). Place it in My Documents and rename it to something like imageres2.dll. (The file is too big to upload as an attachment).

To change the desktop user icon, right click on desktop>Personalize>Change Desktop Icons and click your user icon and click the "Change Icon" button.
At the top, it will have a field where you can browse for a source file. Browse to and select the imageres2.dll file. It will open all the Vista icons allowing you to select the Vista user folder.
To customise the other folders, go to C:>User>Username (You can't edit user folder icons by just clicking your folder on desktop).
Right click on all the folders and go to the customise tab and click "Change Icon". Search for the corresponding icon.
Repeat this for all steps. Remember the Contacts and Desktop icon can't be changed, so I just set these to hidden as I don't use them.
Once all the folders are changed, you can set the imageres2.dll file to hidden as well.

Edit: When you're on the Desktop Icon settings, uncheck the box that says "Allow themes to change desktop icons" so when you change your wallpaper or taskbar colour, the icons don't revert to default.

dw96 · 06 Sep 2009

Quote: Originally Posted by Brink

I have always liked Axialis IconWorkshop.

I've loved it too, but it's kind of tough to get used to. If you want that useful square sheet pointing out each pixel, though, it's awesome! Right now I use Photoshop CS4 and save the icons I make in PNG format, making sure they're EXACTLY 256X256, then I head over to ConvertICO and upload the image to get it freely converted to an icon. I really love that website.

BTW great tutorial!

Windows 7: User Folders - Change Default Icon

User Folders - Change Default Icon

User Folders - Change Default Icon problems?