Libraries Icons - Change

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    Libraries Icons - Change

    Libraries Icons - Change

    How to Change a Library Icon in Windows 7
    Published by
    Designer Media Ltd


    How to Change a Library Icon in Windows 7

       Information
    This will show you how to change any Windows 7 Library icon to any icon that you would like instead of the default icon.

       Note
    If you would like to use a custom library icon (.ico file) on your computer and would like it to also have it display on another computer that joined or is added to the homegroup as well, then you will need to make sure that the .ico file you are using is saved at a location that each computer on the homegroup as full access to first. For example, in a C:\Users\Public folder or shared user folder.

       Tip
    For more on libraries managed code, see: Windows 7 Libraries - Managed Code - Windows 7 for Developers

       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. For more about these type of icons, see: Icons in Windows Vista






    OPTION ONE

    To Change a Library Icon Using the "Libraries Icons" Program


    1. If you have not already, then click on the Download button below and download and save the ZIP file below to your desktop. Next, extract (drag and drop) the LibraryIconChanger.exe file from within the ZIP file.
    Replace_Librarie_Icons_by_bluefisch200.zip
    2. Run the LibraryIconChanger.exe file.
    NOTE: This is a standalone EXE file that only runs and does not install on your computer.

    3. In the right pane, select (highlight) the library that you want to change or restore the default icon of. (see screenshot below)
    Libraries Icons - Change-libraries_icons.jpg
    4. Do either step 5, 6, or 7 below for what you would like to do.

    5. To Change a Library Icon with a Icon from a DLL File
    NOTE: By default, the available DLL icons are from the C:\Windows\System32\imageres.dll file. If you would like to select a icon from within a different DLL icon, then click on the browse Libraries Icons - Change-browse.jpg button, navigate to, and select the DLL file.
    A) In the left pane, select an available icon, and click on the Select Icon from dll button. (see screenshot below step 3)

    B) Go to step 8.
    6. To Change a Library Icon with a Icon File of Your Choice
    A) Click on the Select new Icon from file button. (see screenshot below step 3)

    B) Navigate to and select a .ico file that you want to use, then click on Open.

    C) Go to step 8.
    7. To Restore the Default Icon of a Library
    A) Click on the Restore default icon button. (see screenshot below step 3)

    B) Continue on to step 8.
    8. Close the Libraries Icons program. (see screenshot below step 3)

    9. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply.



    OPTION TWO

    To Manually Change a Library Icon


    1. Set Folder Options to Show hidden files, folders, and drives.

    2. In Windows Explorer, navigate to the location below for the library you want to change the icon of. (See screenshot below)
    Libraries folder: (ex: Documents, Music, Pictures, Videos)
    C:\Users\(User Name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Libraries
    For "Recorded TV" Library
    C:\Users\Public\Libraries

    Libraries Icons - Change-libraries.jpg
    3. Open Notepad by one of the methods below. (See screenshots below)
    Libraries Icons - Change-start_menu1.jpg

    Libraries Icons - Change-start_menu2.jpg
    4. Drag the Library icon (from step 2) that you want to change into the blank Notepad and drop it. (See screenshots below)



    NOTE: Libraries are .xml files, so they can be edited in Notepad. These are the default entries for the Libraries.
    • Documents default- <iconReference>imageres.dll,-1002</iconReference>
    • Music default - <iconReference>imageres.dll,-1004</iconReference>
    • Pictures default - <iconReference>imageres.dll,-1003</iconReference>
    • Recorded TV default - <iconReference>imageres.dll,-1008</iconReference>
    • Videos default - <iconReference>imageres.dll,-1005</iconReference>

    Libraries Icons - Change-documents.jpg

    Libraries Icons - Change-music.jpg

    Libraries Icons - Change-pictures.jpg

    Libraries Icons - Change-recorded_tv.jpg

    Libraries Icons - Change-videos.jpg
    5. To Use a Custom Icon of Yours
    A) Look for the line below. (See screenshots above)
    NOTE: If this is a new Library that you have created, then the line will not be there and you will need to add the <iconReference>"path to icon w/file extension"</iconReference> line directly under the <isLibraryPinned>-1</isLibraryPinned> line entry.
    <iconReference>"path to icon w/file extension"</iconReference>
    B) In Notepad, substitute path to icon w/file extension in quotes to the full path of the custom icon that you want to use for the default Library icon instead.

    C) Go to step 7.
    6. To Use another Windows 7 Icon
    A) Download and install the free program IconViewer.
    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.

    C) Look for the line below. (See screenshots below step 4)
    NOTE: If this is a new Library that you have created, then the line will not be there and you will need to add the <iconReference>path to icon w/file extension,-icon#</iconReference> line directly under the <isLibraryPinned>-1</isLibraryPinned> line entry.
    <iconReference>path to icon w/file extension,-icon#</iconReference>
    D) In Notepad, substitute path to icon w/file extension to the full path of the file that includes the icon you want from step 6B, then substitute icon# with the icon number under the icon you want from step 6B. (See screenshot below)
    NOTE: If the file that includes the icon you want in step 6B is in the C:\Windows\System32 folder, then you will just need to type in the file name instead of the full path.




    FOR EXAMPLE:
    • Let's say I want to change the Pictures Library icon to the icon #1008 (step 6B) included in the C:\Windows\System32\imageres.dll file. I would use imageres.dll,-1008. (See screenshot below)
    • Let's say the icon #1008 (step 6B) was included in the C:\Program Files\imageres.dll file. I would use C:\Program Files\imageres.dll,-1008 instead.
    Libraries Icons - Change-imageres_properties.jpg
    7. In Notepad, click on File and Save, then close Notepad. (See screenshot below)
    Libraries Icons - Change-save.jpg
    8. The Library icon will now be changed. (See screenshot below)
    NOTE: For example, the default Pictures Library icon.
    Libraries Icons - Change-new_library_icon.jpg
    9. Repeat steps 3 to 8 if you would like to change any more Library icons.

    10. When done, set Folder Options to Don't show hidden files, folders, and drives.

    11. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to fully apply the icon change to all locations for this library folder.
    That's it,
    Shawn






    Related Tutorials




  2. garysgold
    Posts : 3,141
    Vista Ult 64 bit Seven Ult RTM x64
       New #1

    Great tutorial Shawn. Been wanting to do this to a couple. Thanks.

    Gary
      My Computer
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  4. Brink
    Posts : 72,041
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       New #2

    You're welcome Gary. :)
      My Computer
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  5. greenlink23
    Posts : 44
    Vista & Win 7
       New #3

    very nice turotial. although i followed bogos tutorial, i fund this one to be easier to follow.

    here are my current libraries:
      My Computer
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  6. garysgold
    Posts : 3,141
    Vista Ult 64 bit Seven Ult RTM x64
       New #4

    Hi Shawn,

    When I used my 'contacts folder' to create a Library, it didn't have an icon line in notepad. I got around this by coping the code from one of the standard libraries and pasting it in the proper place in the contacts page. Made the necessary changes and WaaLaa. :) Tried it with a couple other folders and no icon line in them either.

    Don't know what gives, but the fix worked.

    Gary
      My Computer
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  7. Brink
    Posts : 72,041
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       New #5

    Thank you Greenlink.

    Gary,

    Yeah, unfortunately not all of them have the icon line already added to them.
      My Computer
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  8. greenlink23
    Posts : 44
    Vista & Win 7
       New #6

    with custom libraries you need to add the icon line manually.
      My Computer
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  10. BenjaminCarmine
    Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Beta Buil 7000
       New #7

    I don't know what i am doing wrong.

    When i want to select my own icon, it doesn't show it.

    That's the way i do it.

    (1) Like in the manual above, i drag "documents" in notepad.
    (2) I search the line and swap it with the full path to my icon.
    <isLibraryPinned>-1</isLibraryPinned>
    <iconReference>imageres.dll,-1002</iconReference>
    <templateInfo>
    ->
    <isLibraryPinned>-1</isLibraryPinned>
    <iconReference>C:\Users\Ben Carmine\Pictures\Icons\Windows7Icons\Icons\imageres186.ico</iconReference>
    <templateInfo>
    doesn't work.
    Tried plenty of things.
    for example:
    C:\Users\Ben Carmine\Pictures\Icons\Windows7Icons\Icons,-imageres186.ico

    And also google.com

    Both were not the answer

    Please help me
      My Computer
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  11. Brink
    Posts : 72,041
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       New #8

    Hello Benjamin, and welcome to Seven Forums.

    What is the icon file's name and exact full path of the one that you want to use, and for which Library is this for?

    Shawn
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  12. BenjaminCarmine
    Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Beta Buil 7000
       New #9

    the icons file name is imageres186.ico

    The full path is C:\Users\Ben Carmine\Pictures\Icons\Windows7Icons\Icons\imageres186.ico

    I want to use this icon for the document library .
      My Computer
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