How to Change Icons on Windows 11: Easy as and Fair Dinkum

How to Change Icons on Windows 11

Method 1: Using Desktop Icon Settings

This is the classic way. It’s easy to do and works fine for system icons like Recycle Bin, This PC, or network icons. But sometimes, these settings don’t stick unless you do a bit more tinkering. Here’s what to do:

Right-click on the desktop and select Personalise.
In the Settings window, head to Themes, then scroll down and click on Desktop Icon Settings. You can also quick-access this by typing shell:Desktop into the Windows Run dialog (Windows + R) and hitting Enter. That takes you straight to your desktop folder, but for changing icons, it’s a bit indirect.
In the Desktop Icon Settings window, pick the icon you want to change, then click Change Icon. You’ll see a list of default icons, but you can also browse your PC for custom ones, usually with a .ico extension.

Make sure the icon you choose is in good old .ico format. If you need to convert images, loads of free online tools do the trick. Once you’ve picked your new icon, click OK, then Apply. If it doesn’t update right away, try refreshing the desktop (F5) or restart Windows Explorer via Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc > find Windows Explorer > click Restart). Windows needs to refresh its icon cache, and sometimes it doesn’t wanna do that unless you give it a nudge.

Method 2: Rebuilding the Icon Cache

This is a bit of a nuclear option but can work wonders if your icons are being stubborn as. Windows keeps a cache of icons to load things faster, but sometimes this cache gets corrupted or doesn’t update after changes. Resetting it can fix those annoying stuck icons.

Open File Explorer and go to C:\Users\YourUserName\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer. You can do this quick-smart by typing %localappdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer into the address bar.
Look for files like iconcache and delete or rename them (add a .bak at the end). Remember, you might need to turn on Hidden Items under View first.
After deleting those, restart your PC or restart Windows Explorer the way I mentioned before. When you log back in, Windows rebuilds the icon cache from scratch — fingers crossed, those stubborn icons will behave now.

If you’re really stuck, this step can be the secret weapon. Sometimes, a simple reboot isn’t enough, and clearing the cache makes all the difference.

Option 1: Use a Third-Party Icon Changer

If messing around with settings and cache isn’t your cup of tea, there are tools like IconPackager or free apps like IcoFX that make bulk icon changing a breeze. Just a heads up: some of these tools might need admin rights or could interfere with Windows updates, so use them with a bit of caution. Many folks swear by them, though, because they keep your icons in check without manually browsing files every time.

When all else fails: System File Checker and Reset

If your icons are acting up – like, they’re broken or not updating at all – give sfc /scannow a crack from an admin command prompt. Sometimes, key system files get corrupted, and repairing them sorts out the issue. Here’s how:

Open Command Prompt as administrator (Windows + X > Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin)).
Type sfc /scannow and hit Enter. Let it do its thing — it scans and repairs system files.
Restart your PC and give your icons another shot.

Tips for Smooth Icon Customisation

Use high-res icons if you can — fuzzy or pixellated icons look rough on high-DPI screens.
Back up your original icons or settings, just in case you wanna revert later.
Download icons from legit sources — you don’t want malware sneaking into your system.
Make sure your icons are the right size and format, to avoid distortion.
Don’t go overboard with custom icons — a little bit of personal flair is nice, but too many can clutter the desktop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I revert to the default icons after mucking around?

Most of the time, yeah. Just go back to Desktop Icon Settings and click Restore Default. Easy peasy.

Any tips on icon formats or files?

Yeah, most icons should be in .ico format. You can convert PNGs or JPGs to ICOs online for free — just double-check the size (like 256×256 pixels) to keep things looking sharp on high-res screens.

Will changing icons slow my PC down?

Nah, it’s mainly a visual tweak. Windows handles it pretty well unless you go overboard with massive icons or dodgy third-party packs.

What if my custom icons aren’t showing up right?

This could be a resolution or compatibility thing. Make sure your icons are in the correct format (.ico) and resize them properly if needed. Rebuilding the icon cache (like we discussed earlier) can fix this too.

Summary

Right-click your desktop, select Personalise.
Go to Themes, then Desktop Icon Settings.
Pick your icon, click Change Icon.
If it’s giving you grief, try rebuilding the icon cache or running some system repair.

How to Change Icons on Windows 11: Easy as and Fair Dinkum