Libraries Icon - Change Default Icon

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
    Libraries Icon - Change Default Icon

    Libraries Icon - Change Default Icon

    How to Change the Default "Libraries" Folder Icon in Windows 7
    Published by
    Designer Media Ltd


    How to Change the Default "Libraries" Folder Icon in Windows 7

       Information
    This will show you how to change the main default Libraries icon to any custom icon that you want instead in Windows 7.
       Warning

    • You can only do this while logged into an administrator account.
    • This will affect all user account's Libraries icon on the computer.

    EXAMPLE: Libraries Icon
    NOTE: This is the default (left screenshot) and custom (right screenshot) Libraries icon.
    Libraries Icon - Change Default Icon-default.jpg

    Libraries Icon - Change Default Icon-after.jpg

    Here's How:
    1. Open the Start Menu and type regedit.exe in the search line, then press enter.

    2. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

    3. In Regedit, go to the location below: (See screenshot below step 4)
    Code:
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5}\DefaultIcon
    4. In the left pane of regedit, right click on the DefaultIcon key and click on Permissions. (See screenshot below)
    Libraries Icon - Change Default Icon-step1.jpg
    5. At the top, select the Administrators group. At the bottom, check the Allow box to the right of Full Control and click on OK. (See screenshot below)
    Libraries Icon - Change Default Icon-step2.jpg
    6. In the left pane of regedit, right click on (Default) and click on Modify. (See screenshot below)
    Libraries Icon - Change Default Icon-step3.jpg
    7. To Restore the Default Libraries Icon
    A) In the Modify window from regedit, type in the path below and click on OK.
    %SystemRoot%\system32\imageres.dll,-1023
    B) Go to step 10.
    8. To Use a Icon of Your Own
    A) In the Modify window from regedit, type in the full path of where you have your custom icon (.ico file) stored at, then click on OK. (See screenshot below)
    WARNING: You will need to use a 256x256 pixel icon that was made for Windows 7 and Vista for them to display properly at all of the available icon view sizes in Windows 7. You will also need to leave the icon (.ico file) saved at the exact location you typed below for it to continue to work. If you delete or move this icon, then it will no longer be displayed.
    Libraries Icon - Change Default Icon-step5.jpg
    B) Go to step 10.
    9. To Use another Windows 7 Icon
    A) Download and install the free program IconViewer to add the Icons tab in the screenshot below step 9B.
    NOTE: Be sure to download the correct 32-bit or 64-bit version for your Windows 7.

    B) In Windows Explorer navigate to the .exe (ex: for program icons) or .dll (ex: Windows 7 icons) file that contains the icon that you want to use for the default Library icon, then right click on the file, click on Properties, and the Icons tab. (See screenshot below)
    NOTE: The most common Windows 7 icons come from the C:\Windows\System32\imageres.dll file.
    Libraries Icon - Change Default Icon-tip1.jpg
    C) Make note of the icon number for the icon that you want to use instead. (See screenshot above)
    NOTE: For example, the default Libraries icon number is 1023. I'm going to change it to the 1027 icon number just as an example.

    D) In the Modify window from regedit, type in the full path of the .exe or .dll file followed by ,-icon# (fullpath,-####) and click on OK. (See screenshot below)
    NOTE: For example, if I want to use the path (step 9B) and the 1027 icon (step 9C), I would type:
    %SystemRoot%\system32\imageres.dll,-1027

    OR

    C:\Windows\System32\imageres.dll,-1027
    Libraries Icon - Change Default Icon-step4.jpg
    NOTE: This is the default Libraries icon value.
    10. If you have 64-bit Windows 7 Installed
       Note
    To also change the Libraries icon in the "Open" and "Save as" type windows as well in 64-bit Windows 7, you will also need to do this step.

    If you have a 32-bit Windows 7 installed, then skip this step since doing steps 1 to 7/8/9 will change the Libraries icon in the "Open" and "Save as" type windows as well.

    A) In regedit, go to the location below:
    Code:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Classes\CLSID\{031E4825-7B94-4dc3-B131-E946B44C8DD5}\DefaultIcon
    B) Repeat steps 4 to 7/8/9 above.
    11. Close regedit.

    12. Restart the computer to fully apply.
    That's it,
    Shawn








  1. Posts : 2,651
    W7 RTM Ultimate x64
       #1

    Great tut Brink, just what i was after.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 71,959
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    You're welcome. Thank you. :)
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 58
    Windows 7 Ultimate 7600 RTM - Windows Server 2008 R2 7600 RTM Dual Boot
       #3

    When I pin it to the taskbar it comes up as the default yellow icon.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 71,959
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Hello Psyh0t1c,

    That would be because it is actually pinning the Windows Explorer icon with the Libraries icon in it's jump list instead. Sorry.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 58
    Windows 7 Ultimate 7600 RTM - Windows Server 2008 R2 7600 RTM Dual Boot
       #5

    Yeah so what I did was just changed the explorer icon and now everything is cool. :)
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 71,959
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #6

    That'll work. I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted. :)
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 28
    Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
       #7

    Perfect! Thank you :)
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 42
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #8

    this seems like a completely great tutorial but i ran into a problem, why dont i have a CLSID folder in my HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT folder?
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Libraries Icon - Change Default Icon-hkey.png  
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 71,959
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Hello Mhelseth,

    You do. You will just need to keep scrolling past the file extensions until you see it. :)
      My Computer


 
Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:53.
Find Us