In addition to desktop backgrounds, screensavers, and window color styles, Windows users 7 have the ability to change the standard icons of folders and program shortcuts to any others. You can diversify the design of your work environment with icons from system libraries and from third-party sources. Various collections of beautiful miniatures are available for free download on many web resources.
Give it a name with an extension. Although this seems inadequate, it leaves much more room for creativity than it seems regular user PC. As usual, computer keyboard equipped with more than a hundred keys. Read the following pages about how to create such shortcuts and the best tools to manage them. However, it is rarely used. A global shortcut means that you can initiate a related operation at any time by pressing specific keys. He plays no role in what this moment is in the foreground.
Installing icons from the Windows 7 collection
So, you want to change the standard folder image to something more original. Where can I get badges? The simplest and fast decision— find them in the system.
Change icon
- Open the folder properties.
How to change the file type icon
These system-wide shortcuts are especially useful for calling up your most important programs, folders, and web addresses. Treat them sparingly and in an organized manner. A shortcut file is the starting point and environment for a user-defined global shortcut. Inserting shortcuts as files. Shortcut files are created most easily using the mouse. My images on the desktop by holding down the right mouse button. A pop-up menu will appear on the screen.
The exception is to drag a file or folder to the Start button, that is, to the main Start menu window. If you want to put shortcuts in web addresses, first create a shortcut for your default web browser. Then right-click it, select Properties, and go to the Shortcut tab.
- Go to the “Settings” tab and click the “Change Icon” button.
- Specify the location to search for the icon. By default this is the system library Shell32.dll, but you can choose another source. Click the appropriate image and click OK.
Assign a keyboard shortcut. Right-click the shortcut file and select Properties. Place your mouse cursor in the Shortcut field on the Shortcut tab and press the keys you want to trigger. Shortcut key management. To save shortcut keys that you define, it is recommended that you divide them into categories. This requires special software. 
A little clunky, but very functional, the key shortcut manager not only allows you to call up applications, folders and websites.
Now the folder looks like this.
The Shell32.dll library as a source of icons for folders is not always the best choice. The icons in it are not particularly beautiful and there are not too many of them. Other images can be found in the libraries Aclui.dll, Ddores.dll, Moricons.dll and many others.
In addition, it can serve as a tray of text elements and even play keyboard macros. When you launch this tool, its icon will appear, symbolizing the keyboard in the notification area, so that it is located on the taskbar next to the clock. Double-clicking this icon will display a configuration window containing sample entries. It's easy to figure out how to set up new keyboard shortcuts for launching applications and opening web pages. Use the four commands at the bottom of the window from the Open folder to display the website.
A simple example. Step Click the button and select “Run a program.” Step Then click in the shortcut window and press the desired key combination. You can enter it manually or click the three dots button and navigate to the folder containing this file. 
The following example using a condition. The tool allows you to add complex keyboard shortcuts containing terms.
To make it easier to view icons on your computer, we suggest using the free Icon Viewer utility: it shows all the icons that are stored in different files selected folder. So, in the C:Windowssystem32 directory alone there are several hundred of these images.
Step Click the button and select "Show Website". Restrict keyboard shortcuts for a specific application. You simply point to the app by launching it and then dragging the viewfinder icon into open window programs. 
Replacing text strings. It's also ideal for quickly typing frequently used expressions. Additionally, you can make a comma after the period is pressed on the numeric keypad. Click on this button and select "Record text".
By clicking on the icon you like, at the bottom of the window you will see which file it contains.
Changing the image
- To change the folder image, leaving the standard icon, on the same tab, in the “Folder Image” section, click “Select file”.
Installing folder icons and desktop shortcuts from third-party sources
Click the Shortcut button, and then press period on the numeric keypad. Automatic start with the system. Therefore, it is important to ensure that it works with the system. 
The tool provides complete freedom in defining keyboard shortcuts by offering its own scripting language. Over the years, it has evolved into a true development environment. However, the initial purpose of the application, to give the program a name and therefore assign key combinations to specific operations, is simple to implement and does not require programming ability.
- Select any picture of a suitable format and click “Open”.
Our folder looked like this. The picture selected as an image is not moved inside the folder.
The easiest way to define a regular key combination is to use one line in the following pattern. The tool works well as a repository for the text elements of the entire system. This way, you will save yourself typing frequently used phrases and text elements, such as a company address, in the editor, mail client or presentation software. Phrases are global across your system, so you don't have to place them separately in each of these applications. The syntax for defining such phrases is very simple.
For an overview and a basis for creating your own keyboard shortcuts, please download. A master file that is highly supported in a simple way, demonstrates how to perform this task so clearly that even users who have no programming knowledge will be involved. Special accidents.
Installing folder icons and desktop shortcuts from third-party sources
Many design-related web resources offer collections of icons for folders and desktops. This is usually a set of images in ico format and, less commonly, dynamic library files supported by Windows 7.
Change your existing keyboard layout. You'll put a backslash, like \\, on the multiplication key on the numeric keypad. From now on, you will be able to remember it with one keystroke. Manually change the keyboard layout. Clicking the "Save and Exit" button will fix the new keyboard layout in the registry. It takes effect after the system is restarted. It does not display the keyboard layout in graphical form, so the assignment of individual keys must be manually changed. Of these, the Control Center offers quick way access to basic terminal settings and control parameters.
Changing the folder icon
To change the standard folder icon to one of the new ones, you need to do the same as we discussed above: open the folder properties, click the “Change Icon” button, indicate the location where you unpacked the collection of icons, and select one of them.
The Notification Center has received new features and daily alerts, and these can be accessed directly from the lock screen. Icon sorting can be done by long pressing and dragging to the user's desired position. The developer claims that the application provides very high-quality icons, uses all user applications, provides battery images that simulate the actual battery level.
The app developer promises that users will receive regular updates for icons and new wallpapers. Users can also request personalized icons for other apps through the app. Lightweight controller-control center. The app tries to avoid any legal issues by adopting a monochrome appearance.
Windows 7 supports ico, icl, dll and exe file formats (the latter can also contain images that can be used as icons and shortcuts).
Changing desktop shortcuts
A program's desktop shortcut is a graphical miniature that is installed on the computer during installation of this program. Physically, the shortcut image is stored in the executable (exe) file of the application and, as in the case of folders, it can be changed to another.
The app provides similar control features, but has several customization options for the colors and information displayed. The developer warns that the app contains advertisements, but claims that the impact on autonomy is low. The control center can be accessed at any time, regardless of the user's open application.
Icons and features cannot be customized, the user has the option to change the background. Most people who have a computer want to mark their appearance. You may have done it all and it may not seem like enough. Perhaps some apps have unattractive icons, or you're tired of those boring folders you've seen for years on end.
- Open the application shortcut properties and go to the Shortcut tab. Click the “Change Icon” button.
- Specify the path to the folder with the desired image (as in the previously discussed example, we can use files in ico, icl, dll and exe formats). Select an icon and click Open.
In this article, we'll show you how to change your shortcut icons to make them more modern and visually appealing. Before you begin, you'll need to download the icons you want to use or create your own icons. However, there are several types of files that can contain icons.
How to change a shortcut that belongs to a folder or program
Once you find the icon you want to use, right-click or long-press the shortcut whose icon you want to change. When the Properties window opens, select the Shortcut tab and click Edit. Here you can select the icon you want to use.
- Confirm your selection by pressing OK.
After this, the shortcut to our “experimental” program Total Commander took on an updated look.
Using the same method, you can change any desktop icons, with the exception of system ones.
How to change the Internet shortcut icon
Click the Browse button to find the icon you downloaded. Select the file with the desired icon and click "Open". Small icons also work, but don't look good when using thumbnail view. These shortcuts allow you to quickly jump to a page or site and act like Homepage. If you want to change the icon of a shortcut to a site, the way this is done is very similar to the one shown earlier.
Right-click or long-press the shortcut on the site and select Properties. In the Properties window, go to the Web Document tab and click Edit. Here the steps are the same as before: click or tap Browse, select the file containing the icon and the new icon.
Changing system icons on the desktop
To change the appearance of the Computer, Recycle Bin, Network, and Root icons account user, you need to enter the Personalization panel (but note that the Personalization component is not available in the Starter and Home Basic editions of Windows 7).
For this:
- right-click to open desktop properties and click “Personalization”;
How to add your own icons?
It's an exciting way to customize the appearance of your operating system. If you have any questions, feel free to use the form below. Once you've found the icon you want to use, right-click or long-press the shortcut whose icon you want to change.
The folder is the place where the same dirty documents are added, such as electronic mailboxes, web addresses. 
- They are temporarily placed in storage.
- You select the right mouse button by clicking on the mouse bar in the title bar.
- on the left side of the panel window, click on the menu item “Change desktop icons”;
- select the desired element and click “Change icon”;
When you click, you will see “Reset or restore login settings.” 
Expand How to find and update address book? Your addresses are located in the “My Settings” section. 
You can also access addresses by clicking the Browse link in the My Setup menu. You'll be redirected to a setup page where you can add contacts, create mailing lists, and update addresses.
- in the “Change Icon” window, click “Browse” and specify the location of the folder with icons.
After confirming your selection, the “Computer” folder will take on a new appearance.
How to restore defaults?
To restore defaults system icons, in the Desktop Icon Options window, click the Normal Icon button.
To return to the previous appearance of the changed folder icons, in the properties, on the “Settings” tab, click “Restore defaults”.
There is no similar option in the properties of program shortcuts, so here you will have to search and restore the original icon manually.
One of the properties of an object is the appearance of its icon. Like many other properties, it can be changed. However, it is necessary to distinguish between icons and object labels. Changing a shortcut is very simple, but an icon is a little more difficult, especially if this icon is a standard one.
How to change the folder icon in a shortcut.
Right-click on the shortcut icon to get to its properties. If this is really a shortcut (and not a full-fledged object icon), then the dialog box (as of today) of its properties has tabs: General, Shortcut, Security, Details, Previous.
We are interested in the tab - Shortcut, which has a command button Change icon (Change icon). Click on it and the Change Icon dialog box will open. Here you can choose an icon that suits your taste.
Icons are supplied either in collections (libraries) or included with programs. Libraries can have dozens, if not hundreds of icons to choose from. Programmers usually include one or two, and sometimes several, icons with their programs so that the user can choose the one he likes best.
In the dialog box - Change Icon there is a field for entering the name of the file from which you want to borrow the icon. It is possible that the window - Change icon - has opened so that the address of some library has already been entered in this field, as in the figure below - then you have a wide choice.
But the window could open with the address of some program, and then the choice is small.
However, this is not important, because using the Browse button you can view the entire computer and find all the icons included in both libraries and programs.
Click the button - Browse - a dialog box will open - Change icon:
which is similar to the standard file opening window. Explore the contents hard drive, paying attention to files with the extension .DLL and .EXE. After selecting any file, click the Open button. Don't be afraid, in this case the programs will not launch. Here, the Open command will only show those icons that are available in the program or in the library. If they are not there, a message will appear, and then the experiment can be repeated with another file. When you find what you need, select the icon you like and close the “Change Icon” window with the OK button.
To shorten your search a little, we will give the addresses of several standard icon collections:
♦ C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\shell32.dll - a collection of Windows system icons;
♦ C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\pifmgr.dll - collection of custom icons;
C:\WINDOWS\moricons.dll is a collection of special Windows icons.
In addition to these collections, you can use icons of any programs. For example, the program C:\WINDOWS\winfile.exe has not one icon, but four. Three of them are missing anyway - use them if they suit you.
(standard file icons) .
IN operating systems In Windows, all files of the same type are displayed with one standard icon. Here is an example of one of several types of standard icons:
A Word document with an extension (.DOC or DOCX) looks like the picture above.
For Windows XP
Changing standard icons is as easy as we did with shortcuts, because in the object properties dialog box, which opens from context menu, there is no tab - Shortcut and, accordingly, there is no button Change icon.
However, this operation is still possible.
Let's try changing the standard Word icon to something different. This file created as a regular folder; accordingly, all files of this type are assigned this standard icon.
To change it, we need to change the properties of the entire file type.
1. To manage the properties of file types, use the File Types tab in the Folder Options dialog box. It opens by clicking Start > Settings > Folder Options > File Types.
2. In the Registered file types list, find the type Microsoft Document Word and click the Change button - the Change File Type Properties dialog box opens.
3. In this dialog box, click the Change icon button - the already known Change icon window will open. Use it to find another icon and apply it. From now on, all documents created in a word processor Microsoft Word 2000 will appear with a different icon.
For Windows 7
Because the system tools There is no way to change standard file types in Windows 7 except by editing the registry; I recommend using a program that can be downloaded from the website http://defaultprogramseditor.com/. There is enough information on this program on the Internet, so go for it.
To change the icon for a regular folder, type:
Right-click on such a folder, then in the dialog box - properties and get into the following window:
P.S. I would like to remind you about the folder - My Documents - how do you approach it? Consumer or professional? Link to article: .
