Downloads Library - Create

How to Create a "Downloads" Library with Correct Icon in Windows 7 and Windows 8​

   Information

This will show you how to create a Downloads library in Windows 7 and Windows 8 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/tap on the Download button below to download the Downloads_Library.zip file that contains the original Downloads library icon.

Download


B) Save the ZIP file to your desktop.

C) Double click/tap 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 or press and hold on the Downloads_Library.ico file, and click/tap 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. Do step 4 or 5 below depending on if you are in Windows 7 or Windows 8.

4. To Change the Downloads Library Icon in Windows 7
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.

B) Go to step 6 below.
5. To Change the Downloads Library Icon in Windows 8
A) Using OPTION ONE in the tutorial below, change the new library's icon using the Downloads_Library.ico icon file at the location you have saved it to in step 1. (see screenshot below)
How to Change a Library Icon in Windows 8


6. 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

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Create a "Games" Library with Correct Icon in Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Create a "Favorites" Library with Correct Icon in Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Create a "Searches" Library with Correct Icon in Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Create a "Links" Library with Correct Icon in Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Change a Library Icon in Windows 7
• How to Hide or Show a Library in the Windows 7 Navigation Pane
• How to Restore the Default Libraries in Windows 7
• How to Fix Libraries when Hidden and Empty in Windows 7
• How to Create a New Library in Windows 7
• How to Create a New Library in Windows 8
• How to Include a Folder in a Library in Windows 7
• How to Remove a Included Folder from a Library in Windows 7
• How to Set the Default Save Folder for a Library in Windows 7
• How to Add or Remove the Libraries Desktop Icon in Windows 7
• User Folders in Windows 7 Libraries
• How to Turn the Library Pane On or Off in Windows 7

 

[Airbot]

Thanks Shawn, it worked out.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Aaron.

 

[mustangman16]

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

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Mustangman. Thank you.

 

[headland]

Unable to download desktop

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]

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]

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

please help

thanks

 

[Brink]

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]

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 Win7 just doesn't want to accommodate me.

Harry

 

[Brink]

Harry,

You would want to left click on the Download button above, then click on Save if available instead of right clicking it.

 

[Ensi]

Thanks! Bumped into some problems, but I think I didn't read it properly.

Works like a charm

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Ensi. If you can remember what problems you ran into, then please post back with them so that I can update the tutorial to hopefully help others avoid the same problems that you had.

 

[headland]

Thanks again Brink. Finally got it when I changed my download location in the browesr. Not sure why it was set to download to a non-existent drive but all is fine now. Thanks again.

Harry

 

[Brink]

Ah, that's great news Harry. I had thought you were using Internet Explorer. That would explain that.

 

[DjProDG]

Worked for me. Thanks (again!)

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome DjProDG.

 

[aazmath]

First of all thanks for tut awsome second... Sorry for my english.

I got a question... How to get the default icon for Downloads? I got ony normal directory because i have deleted desktop.ini for the directrory...

And second Where i need to paste location of libery icon?

 

[Brink]

Hello Aazmath, and welcome to Seven Forums.

You can click on the blue "Download" button below step 1A to get the Download.ico file in a ZIP file. I'm not sure what you mean, but clicking on the link will help show you where to create the Library file at for this.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[NoN]

Thanks Brink for that Icon...

I was wondering if i can easily change the Workstation Library Icon, instead of the one c:\users\Downloads...
I have only change the C:\users\public\downloads with the icon you have put on here...

Is it possible to have somewhere the recorded TV icon the we can find inside the system32 "imageres.dll" for doing the same apply inside the Workstation Library (i case i'm creating a new Library)?
Or how do i extract it? I mean I want the Icon 256x256...to be in a dedicated folder...

Thanks!