Changing desktop icons in Windows 11 might seem like a tiny thing, but if you’re over the default look or want to tidy things up a bit, it definitely makes a difference. The process isn’t too complicated, but it can be a bit hidden if you don’t know where to look. Sometimes, icons just refuse to change, or custom icons don’t show up straight away — that’s where a few troubleshooting tips come in handy. This guide walks you through the usual way to tweak your desktop icons, plus some common pitfalls and shortcuts for more personalised setups. Because, of course, Windows likes to make things a bit more tricky sometimes, right?
How to Change Desktop Icons in Windows 11
Accessing Desktop Icon Settings
Changing your desktop icons is all about getting to the Desktop Icon Settings. First up—hit Start, then click the gear icon to open Settings. From there, head to Personalisation. On the right (or sometimes at the bottom), you’ll see Themes. Click on that, then find the link labelled Desktop Icon Settings. It’s a bit tucked away, but once you’re in, it’s pretty straightforward.
Tip: if things aren’t working right or icons look weird after changes, you can access the desktop icon settings directly through the classic Control Panel route:
`Control Panel > Appearance and Personalisation > Personalisation > Change desktop icons`.
Choose What Icons to Display & Customize
In Desktop Icon Settings, you’ll see a list of system icons: Recycle Bin, This PC, User’s Files, Network, and Control Panel. Tick or untick these boxes to show or hide them on your desktop. To change their icons, select the icon you want, then click the Change Icon button. Sometimes, you might need to hit ‘Apply’ or click ‘OK’ before you see your new icon.
For customizing icons: after clicking Change Icon, a window pops up with some default icons, but don’t forget you can browse your PC for custom .ico files. I keep a folder of my favourite icons in C:\Icons\ or somewhere similar. Just pick your icon file, and it’ll replace the default one.
Applying Changes & Troubleshooting
Once you’ve picked your new icons, hit OK or Apply. The icons should update pretty quick — sometimes. But here’s the tricky part: on some machines, you might need to restart explorer.exe or even reboot for the changes to stick. To restart explorer, open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), find Windows Explorer, right-click, and select Restart. That refreshes your desktop without a full restart. If your icons still aren’t showing your custom images, double-check the icon file’s path and make sure it’s still there (no accidental deletions or moves). Also, sometimes icons don’t update if you’re using a themed wallpaper or high-contrast mode — turning those off briefly might help.
Tips for Changing Desktop Icons in Windows 11
- Stick to .ico format for your icons — they look cleaner and work better. Converting from PNG or JPEG is easy online.
- Back up the original icons or note down what you’ve changed, just in case you want to revert later.
- Websites like Iconfinder, FlatIcon, or DeviantArt are great for finding some cool custom icons.
- Keep your desktop tidy. Too many icons cluttered around can make it harder to spot what’s what, especially after changing their look.
- If your wallpaper or theme is particular, pick icons that match or complement for a more cohesive look.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get back to the default icons if I stuff things up?
Just head back to Desktop Icon Settings and click the Restore Default button. Easy as. Sometimes, Windows doesn’t update instantly after changing icons, so restarting explorer.exe or your PC can do the trick.
Can I use any image as an icon?
Not really — the image needs to be saved as a .ico file. But no worries, online tools like [ConvertICO](https://convertico.com/) or [ICO Converter](https://icoconvert.com/) make it a quick and easy job to turn PNGs or JPEGs into icons.
Why aren’t my custom icons showing up?
Most likely, the path to your icon file is broken, or Windows is caching old icon images. Try right-clicking the desktop, selecting Refresh, or restarting explorer.exe. Also, double-check that your icon file hasn’t been moved or deleted. Sometimes, if your icons are stored on network drives or external drives, Windows can have trouble loading them reliably.
Can I change icons for individual apps?
Yeah, most apps let you change their icons through Properties. Just right-click the app shortcut, go to Properties, then click Change Icon. Not every app supports this, but quite a few do — especially if you’re using standalone .exe files.
Will changing icons affect other user accounts?
Nah, these changes only apply to your current user. If there are other accounts on the same PC, you’ll need to do this for each one separately.
Summary
- Open Settings > Personalisation > Themes > Desktop Icon Settings
- Select which icons you want and change how they look
- Use good .ico files and back up originals just in case
- Restart explorer or your PC if icons aren’t updating
- Clear cache or toggle themes if things get wonky
Wrap-up
Getting your desktop icons looking just right in Windows 11 is mostly a matter of clicking around and sometimes doing a bit of troubleshooting. Nothing too flash, but a few handy tips help avoid frustration. Once you’ve sorted it out, your workspace feels a lot more yours — and maybe a bit more organised. Little tweaks like this can actually lift your mood or help you get stuff done quicker. Hopefully, this guide saves someone a few headaches or at least makes things easier down the track. Cheers to customised desktops!