Devices and Printers - Change Default Icon in Start Menu

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    Devices and Printers - Change Default Icon in Start Menu

    Devices and Printers - Change Default Icon in Start Menu

    How to Change the Default "Devices and Printers" Icon in the Windows 7 Start Menu
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    Designer Media Ltd


    How to Change the Default "Devices and Printers" Icon in the Windows 7 Start Menu

       Information
    This will show you how to change the default Devices and Printers icon in the Windows 7 Start Menu to be a icon of your choice for all users or just your user account.

    EXAMPLE: Devices and Printers in the Start Menu
    Devices and Printers - Change Default Icon in Start Menu-default.jpg




    OPTION ONE

    For Current User Only


    NOTE: This option will only change the default icon for the user account that you are currently logged in, and will override the icon from OPTION TWO below for only this user account. This option will not change the icon for all users like OPTION TWO below, but only for the current user.
    1. To Change the "Devices and Printers" Icon for Current User
    A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
    Change_Current_User_Devices_and_Printers_Icon_in_Start_Menu.reg
    B) Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the desktop.

    C) Right click the downloaded .reg file on the Desktop and click on Merge.

    D) Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.

    E) Open the Start Menu, then type regedit in the search box and press Enter.

    F) If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

    G) In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)
    NOTE: This will be the registry locations added from steps A to D.

    Code:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CLSID\{A8A91A66-3A7D-4424-8D24-04E180695C7A}\DefaultIcon
    Devices and Printers - Change Default Icon in Start Menu-current_user.jpg
    H) In the right pane of DefaultIcon, right click on (Default) and click on Modify. (see screenshot above)

    I) Do either step J or K below depending on what icon you want to use.

    J) To Use another Windows 7 Icon
    J1) Download and install the free program IconViewer to add the Icons tab in the screenshot below step J2.
    NOTE: Be sure to download the correct 32-bit or 64-bit version for your Windows 7.

    J2) 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, right click on the file, click on Properties, and the Icons tab. (see screenshot below)
    NOTE: The most common Windows 7 icons are in the C:\Windows\System32\imageres.dll file.
    Devices and Printers - Change Default Icon in Start Menu-icons.jpg
    J3) Make note of the icon number for the icon that you want to use instead. (see screenshot above)
    NOTE: For example, the default Devices and Printers icon number is 1 in the C:\Windows\System32\DeviceCenter.dll file.

    J4) In the Modify window from regedit, type in the full path of the .exe or .dll file followed by ,-icon# (full path,-####) and click on OK. (see screenshot below)
    NOTE: For example, if I wanted to use the path (step J2) and the 1 icon (step J3), I would type:

    %SystemRoot%\system32\DeviceCenter.dll,-1

    OR

    C:\Windows\System32\DeviceCenter.dll,-1
    Devices and Printers - Change Default Icon in Start Menu-modify.jpg
    J5) When finished, go to step 3.
    K) To Use a Custom Icon of Your Own
    K1) In the Modify window from regedit, type in the full path of where the custom icon (.ico) file is saved at with the file extension in quotes, 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 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.
    Devices and Printers - Change Default Icon in Start Menu-modify_custom.jpg
    L) When finished, go to step 3.
    2. To Undo the Changed "Devices and Printers" Icon for Current User Only
    NOTE: This will undo the changes made to the icon in OPTION ONE for only the current user, and restore the icon back to what the icon is set as in OPTION TWO below.
    A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
    Undo_Current_User_Devices_and_Printers_Icon_Change_in_Start_Menu.reg
    B) Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the desktop.

    C) Right click the downloaded .reg file on the Desktop and click on Merge.

    D) Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.
    3. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply.

    4. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.





    OPTION TWO

    For All Users


    NOTE: This option will change the default icon for all users on the computer. You will need to be logged in as an administrator to be able to do this option. OPTION ONE above will override this option's changed icon only in the user account that OPTION ONE was applied in.
    1. To Change the "Devices and Printers" Icon for All Users
    A) Open the Start Menu, then type regedit in the search box and press Enter.

    B) If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

    C) In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)

    Code:
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{A8A91A66-3A7D-4424-8D24-04E180695C7A}\DefaultIcon
    Devices and Printers - Change Default Icon in Start Menu-all_users.jpg
    D) In the left pane, right click on DefaultIcon, click on Permissions. (see screenshot above)

    E) Select your Administrators account, check the Allow box for Full Control, then click on OK. (see screenshot below)
    Devices and Printers - Change Default Icon in Start Menu-permissions.jpg
    F) In the right pane of DefaultIcon, right click on (Default) and click on Modify. (see screenshot below step 1C)

    G) Do either step H or I below depending on what icon you want to use.

    H) To Use another Windows 7 Icon
    H1) Download and install the free program IconViewer to add the Icons tab in the screenshot below step H2.
    NOTE: Be sure to download the correct 32-bit or 64-bit version for your Windows 7.

    H2) 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, 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.
    Devices and Printers - Change Default Icon in Start Menu-icons.jpg
    H3) Make note of the icon number for the icon that you want to use instead. (see screenshot above)
    NOTE: For example, the default Devices and Printers icon number is 1 in the C:\Windows\System32\DeviceCenter.dll file.

    H4) In the Modify window from regedit, type in the full path of the .exe or .dll file followed by ,-icon# (full path,-####) and click on OK. (see screenshot below)
    NOTE: For example, if I wanted to use the path (step H2) and the 1 icon (step H3), I would type:

    %SystemRoot%\system32\DeviceCenter.dll,-1

    OR

    C:\Windows\System32\DeviceCenter.dll,-1
    Devices and Printers - Change Default Icon in Start Menu-modify.jpg
    H5) When finished, go to step 3.
    I) To Use a Custom Icon of Your Own
    I1) In the Modify window from regedit, type in the full path of where the custom icon (.ico) file is saved at with the file extension in quotes, 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. The icon will need to be saved in a location that all users have access to. For example, in a C:\Users\Public folder. You will also need to leave the icon 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.
    Devices and Printers - Change Default Icon in Start Menu-modify_custom.jpg
    J) When finished, go to step 3.
    2. To Restore the Default "Devices and Printers" Icon for All Users
    NOTE: This will restore the default icon for your user account and all users except the user accounts that had applied OPTION ONE above.
    A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
    Restore_All_Users_Default_Devices_and_Printers_Icon_in_Start_Menu.reg
    B) Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the desktop.

    C) Right click the downloaded .reg file on the Desktop and click on Merge.

    D) Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.
    3. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply.

    4. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
    That's it,
    Shawn







  1. Posts : 7
    Seven Ultimate x64, Vista HP x64
       #1

    Using option1 for only my user account, I have not successfully managed to change this 1 icon from the start menu.

    I applied the registry merge, and when I located this string in the registry it was pointing to "C:\Windows\system32\imageres.dll,-100" According to my resource editor, the icon string 100 in the imageres.dll is for the "Run" icon., which is confusing. In this tutorial it mentions nothing about changing the string from one icon to another.
    I went ahead and modified this string value to the path of my chosen icon included the quotes, rebooted, and still nothing. Is there any more suggestions please?

    The O/S is Seven Ultimate, x64.. Thank you in advance..
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 71,954
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Hello AJ, and welcome to Seven Forums.

    I'm sorry, but I don't understand what you mean. There's nothing in the tutorial for changing the icon to 100 in the imageres.dll file. Neither REG download in Option One changes it either.

    Step 1 J in Option One does mention how to change the icon to a different icon number though, if that's what you wanted to do.

    Is the custom icon that you used a 256x256 pixel .ico icon file?

    Please double check through the steps completely in Option One again to see if you may have made a mistake somewhere.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 7
    Seven Ultimate x64, Vista HP x64
       #3

    Hi Brink,
    Thanks for the quick reply. Will try to clarify with some attachments.

    I ran the registry merge. When I navigated to: "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CLSID\{2559a1f3-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}\DefaultIcon" as the instructions say, I found the value as shown in my attached Capture named "OriginalString". This original value in this string is pointing to the "Run" icon in the imageres.dll...

    I went ahead and modified this value anyways as described in 1 K, (To Use a Custom Icon of Your Own ) as shown in my attachment named "NewStringPath". And yes, the custom icon is the correct size as needed. I keep a folder in system32 just for custom icons becuase it is a location that never moves which keeps the icon permanent. You mention this in the instructions (1 k, leave the icon saved at the exact location you typed below for it to continue to work.) I found that sometimes the name I gave a particular icon does not work because of the wording, but I don't think this is the case here. In the capture "NewstringPath" do you see anything wrong with the name in the path???

    What I meant by confusing is why did the original string value (HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CLSID\{2559a1f3-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}\DefaultIcon) point to the "Run" icon in imageres.dll (C:\Windows\System32\imereges.dll,-100). Is this what the value is suppose to be? I guess I was expecting to see the current Printers & Devices icon location.

    After re-booting, there is still no change???
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Devices and Printers - Change Default Icon in Start Menu-originalstring.png   Devices and Printers - Change Default Icon in Start Menu-newstringpath.png  
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 71,954
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Ah, ok. I see why you are confused now.

    This is for the Run icon in the Start Menu
    Code:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CLSID\{2559a1f3-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}\DefaultIcon
    You want to do this at the location below for Devices and Printers instead.
    Code:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CLSID\{A8A91A66-3A7D-4424-8D24-04E180695C7A}\DefaultIcon
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 7
    Seven Ultimate x64, Vista HP x64
       #5

    Yes sir, this did the trick. Did not have to log off or re-start, it changed this start menu icon immediately.

    The revised registry location of:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CLSID\{A8A91A66-3A7D-4424-8D24-04E180695C7A}\DefaultIcon did not have a value listed, and as soon as I entered the path to the custom icon it changed..

    Also after re-reading the above article again, I just now noticed that you mentioned the default location for this icon is located in the "devicecenter.dll". This helps answer why I could not for the life of me, find the original icon anywhere I looked in the usual DLL's like imageres.dll, or shell32.dll. This is a new one for me.

    One more question if I may.. You typically mention a registry edit to change system icons, with only one time you mention using a resource editor like Resource Hacker. (referring to other articles about changing icons for default folders, etc.) Is there an avantage over one way or the other that you could share??? My goal has been to use Resource Hacker to create/modify specific custom DLL's and to keep backups in case of needing to do a fresh install sometime down the road.

    Thank you for sharing this insight you have..
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 3,302
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64 SP1
       #6

    Hi Shawn

    Is this a global change or does it just affect the start menu icon

    Danny
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 71,954
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #7

    AJHammer said:
    Yes sir, this did the trick. Did not have to log off or re-start, it changed this start menu icon immediately.

    The revised registry location of:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CLSID\{A8A91A66-3A7D-4424-8D24-04E180695C7A}\DefaultIcon did not have a value listed, and as soon as I entered the path to the custom icon it changed..

    Also after re-reading the above article again, I just now noticed that you mentioned the default location for this icon is located in the "devicecenter.dll". This helps answer why I could not for the life of me, find the original icon anywhere I looked in the usual DLL's like imageres.dll, or shell32.dll. This is a new one for me.

    One more question if I may.. You typically mention a registry edit to change system icons, with only one time you mention using a resource editor like Resource Hacker. (referring to other articles about changing icons for default folders, etc.) Is there an avantage over one way or the other that you could share??? My goal has been to use Resource Hacker to create/modify specific custom DLL's and to keep backups in case of needing to do a fresh install sometime down the road.

    Thank you for sharing this insight you have..
    That's great news AJ. :)

    I prefer to change a icon in registry whenever it's possible vs using Resource Hacker to modify the system file.

    If you ever run a "sfc /scannow", changes made to the system file with Resource Hacker undone. Plus, a Windows Update that included a new version of the modified system file would undo any changes as well.

    Changes made in the registry will not be undone like that. IMO, it's also a lot easier to make changes in the registry. Plus, you can create/export REG files to save somewhere to use and make doing the changes easier next time (ex: new installation) as well by just double clicking on the REG file vs manually in the registry.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 71,954
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #8

    xxxdannyxxx said:
    Hi Shawn

    Is this a global change or does it just affect the start menu icon

    Danny
    Hello Danny,

    It only changes the icon in the Start Menu. :)
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 3,302
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64 SP1
       #9

    Brink said:
    xxxdannyxxx said:
    Hi Shawn

    Is this a global change or does it just affect the start menu icon

    Danny
    Hello Danny,

    It only changes the icon in the Start Menu. :)
    Thanks mate
      My Computer


 
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