Bulk Change All Folder Icons in Single Folder or Folder Type

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  1. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #1

    Bulk Change All Folder Icons in Single Folder or Folder Type


    First, please forgive me if I have overlooked this issue in the many searches I have performed thus far.

    I would like to know if anyone has a way to change all folder icons within a single folder to one specific icon without performing each one individually. I have over 1,400 folders within a master folder of which I would like to change the child folder icons. I really don't wish to perform this on a folder-by-folder basis.


    This is not a Default Folder Icon Change inquiry. This is simply all child folders within a single master folder. I would also be interested if the change would affect all folders of a specific type. Windows 7 does allow the 'setup' of a folder to be distributed (details view with selected details, order, and column size for example) but the icon did not distribute as well.

    Any suggestions?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 934
    Windows 8.1 ; Windows 7 x86 (Dec2008-Jan2013)
       #2

    First, a little bit of theory. What happens when a person sets a custom icon for a folder in Windows 7?
    1. Attributes of a Folder change to Read-only (of the folder, NOT content!).
    2. A hidden system file created inside that folder, which contains a link to the icon.

    Thus, having such file as model, it is possible simply copy it across desired folders, and change attributes of those folders correspondingly.

    Secondly, having this idea in my mind, I have put all of my little knowledge of Batch files together and created a script.
    BEFORE script is started the following is needed to be done:
    Master folder needs to be selected and a custom icon applied to it.

    ONLY AFTER THAT
    1. Script is placed inside that master folder and launched.
    2. First, script checks if hidden system file with custom icon settings is there.
    3. Secondly, script looks for subfolders and start changing its attributes.
    4. Thirdly, script copies this settings file to all subfolders of current master folder, including all levels of subfolders.


    For 100 folders it took about 21 seconds, for 200 folders with different levels of subfolders it took about 57 seconds on my laptop.

    I have included remarks (comments) in the source code for better understanding what is going on.

    UPDATE: Original file deleted. Script was not meant to be applied to system folders.
    Please check a newer FIXED version at this post.

    PLEASE READ NEW INSTRUCTION IN THAT POST.
    Last edited by Neutron16; 24 Apr 2012 at 14:57.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Neutron16

    Works Perfectly. Thank you Very much. Performed two separate tests and will run the batch for the entire 1400+ a little later in the day. Again... Thank You!!

      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1
    Windows 7 Ultimate x32
       #4

    Neutron16... I love you. I have been wanting to be able to do this forever. ♥
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 7
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #5

    Can you please tell me exactly how to do what is necessary to use your super cool bat file.

    By the way totally loving this you rock man!
    I have wanted to know how to do this for so long!

    Thank you
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 7
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #6

    So I got it to work, but still unsure how to change the attributes.
    Sorry if that is silly but I dont know how.
    Can you please let me know.
    Again thanx in advance
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 12,120
    Win 7 Pro x64 / Win 10 Pro
       #7

    Tweak Hound said:
    So I got it to work, but still unsure how to change the attributes.
    Sorry if that is silly but I dont know how.
    Can you please let me know.
    Again thanx in advance
    Right click>Properties
    Jerry
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Bulk Change All Folder Icons in Single Folder or Folder Type-properties.png  
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 7
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #8

    krissasaur said:
    Neutron16... I love you. I have been wanting to be able to do this forever. ♥
    Tweak Hound said:
    Can you please tell me exactly how to do what is necessary to use your super cool bat file.

    By the way totally loving this you rock man!
    I have wanted to know how to do this for so long!

    Thank you
    Tweak Hound said:
    So I got it to work, but still unsure how to change the attributes.
    Sorry if that is silly but I dont know how.
    Can you please let me know.
    Again thanx in advance
    Is that not to change attributes to folders and files, where as in this case just need to change the attibutes for folders ONLY?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 934
    Windows 8.1 ; Windows 7 x86 (Dec2008-Jan2013)
       #9

    Tweak Hound said:
    Is that not to change attributes to folders and files, where as in this case just need to change the attibutes for folders ONLY?
    Tweak Hound, you do not need to change attributes yourself, script does that for you.

    All you need is to change icon of a master folder and put that script inside that master folder and run it as administrator.

    The part in my post there I talk about attributes is just for your information.
    Because when I give solutions I also try to explain why and how they work.

    And also, inside script there are detailed comments in case anybody wants to use/copy part of the script.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 1
    Windows 7 64 bit
       #10

    Am new to the forum, but I'd like to thank you very much for making this available to one and all.

    It is kindly appreciated.
      My Computer


 
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