Are you tired of looking at the same old icons on your Windows 10 desktop? Well, did you know that you can easily change them to add a personal touch and make your desktop more visually appealing? With just a few simple steps, you can give your desktop a whole new look and feel. Let’s explore how to change desktop icons on Windows 10.
Changing desktop icons on Windows 10 is a breeze. First, right-click anywhere on your desktop and select «Personalize» from the context menu. This will open the Settings app. Once in the Settings app, click on «Themes» in the left sidebar. Then, scroll down and click on «Desktop icon settings» under the «Related Settings» section. Here, you can choose from a variety of icons or browse for your own custom icons. Simply select the icon you want to change and click «OK.» Voila! Your desktop icons are now transformed.
To change desktop icons on Windows 10, follow these steps:
- Right-click on an empty area of the desktop and select «Personalize» from the context menu.
- In the Personalization settings, click on «Themes» in the left-hand sidebar.
- Scroll down and click on «Desktop icon settings» under the «Related Settings» section.
- Select the desktop icon you want to change (e.g., «This PC,» «Recycle Bin,» etc.) and click on the «Change Icon» button.
- Choose a new icon from the list or click «Browse» to select a custom icon from your computer.
- Once you’ve selected the new icon, click «OK» and then «Apply» to save the changes.
Understanding Desktop Icons on Windows 10
The desktop icons on your Windows 10 computer serve as shortcuts to files, folders, and programs. By default, Windows provides a set of pre-designed icons for different types of files and folders. However, you have the flexibility to personalize your desktop by changing these icons to ones that you find more visually appealing or indicative of the content they represent. In this article, we will guide you through the process of changing desktop icons on Windows 10.
Step 1: Accessing Desktop Icon Settings
To begin changing your desktop icons, right-click anywhere on the desktop background to open the context menu. From the options presented, choose «Personalize» to open the Settings app. In the Settings app, click on the «Themes» tab in the left sidebar, and then select «Desktop icon settings» located under the «Related Settings» section on the right side of the window.
- This will open the «Desktop Icon Settings» window, where you can customize your desktop icons.
In this window, you will see a list of icons that are commonly found on the desktop, such as «Computer,» «Recycle Bin,» and «Control Panel.» Each of these icons can be individually customized.
Step 1.1: Changing Icon Size and Spacing
Before diving into changing the actual icons, let’s explore two additional settings that can affect the appearance of your desktop icons: icon size and icon spacing.
- To adjust the icon size, use the slider under the «Desktop icons» section in the «Desktop Icon Settings» window.
- To change the spacing between the icons, use the «Change Icon Spacing» button. This will open the «Spacing» window, where you can specify the horizontal and vertical spacing for your icons.
Step 2: Changing the Desktop Icons
Now that you have adjusted the icon size and spacing, let’s move on to actually changing the icons themselves.
Step 2.1: Selecting an Icon
To change a specific desktop icon, click on it in the «Desktop Icon Settings» window, and then select the «Change Icon» button.
- This will open a new window that displays a selection of pre-installed icons that you can choose from.
Step 2.2: Browsing for Custom Icons
If you have custom icons that you would like to use, click on the «Browse» button in the «Change Icon» window.
- Navigate to the location on your computer where the custom icons are saved.
- Select the desired icon file and click «Open.»
Step 3: Applying the Changes
Once you have selected the new icon, click «OK» in the «Change Icon» window to confirm your selection. You will then see the updated icon displayed in the «Desktop Icon Settings» window. To apply the changes and see the new icon on your desktop, click «Apply» and then «OK» in the «Desktop Icon Settings» window.
Resetting Icons to Default
If you decide that you no longer want to use a custom icon and wish to revert to the default icon, you can do so by selecting the icon in the «Desktop Icon Settings» window and clicking the «Restore Default» button.
Changing Desktop Icons for Specific File Types
In addition to changing the icons for system icons like «Computer» or «Recycle Bin,» Windows 10 also allows you to customize the icons for specific file types.
Step 1: Accessing File Type Properties
To change the icon for a specific file type, right-click on any file of that type and select «Properties» from the context menu. In the «Properties» window, click on the «Change Icon» button.
Step 2: Selecting a Custom Icon
In the «Change Icon» window that appears, you can select a custom icon by clicking on the «Browse» button, similar to the process outlined in Step 2.2. Alternatively, you can choose from the pre-installed icons by clicking on the «Change Icon» button.
Step 3: Applying the Changes
After selecting the desired icon, click «OK» in the «Change Icon» window, and then click «Apply» and «OK» in the «Properties» window to save the changes. The new icon will now be associated with files of that specific type.
- Repeat this process for any other file types that you want to customize.
Resetting File Type Icons to Default
To revert to the default icon for a specific file type, follow the steps outlined above, but in the «Change Icon» window, select the original default icon provided by Windows.
By following these steps, you can easily change the desktop icons on your Windows 10 computer and customize them to your liking. Whether you want to spruce up your desktop or make it easier to identify specific files or folders, customizing desktop icons can enhance your overall user experience.
Changing Desktop Icons on Windows 10
If you are a Windows 10 user and want to customize the look of your desktop icons, you can easily change them according to your preference. Here are two methods to change desktop icons on Windows 10:
Method 1: Using the Right-click Menu
- Right-click anywhere on the desktop and select «Personalize» from the context menu.
- In the Personalization settings, click on «Themes» on the left sidebar.
- Scroll down and click on «Desktop icon settings» under the «Related Settings» section.
- In the Desktop Icon Settings window, select the icon you want to change and click on the «Change Icon» button.
- Browse and select a new icon from the available options.
- Click «OK» to apply the new icon.
Method 2: Using the Control Panel
- Open the Control Panel by typing «Control Panel» in the search bar and selecting it from the results.
- In the Control Panel, navigate to «Appearance and Personalization» and click on «Change the theme».
- On the left sidebar, click on «Desktop icon settings».
- Choose the icon you want to change and click on the «Change Icon» button.
Key Takeaways for «How to Change Desktop Icons on Windows 10»
- Changing desktop icons on Windows 10 is a simple process.
- Right-click on the desktop and select «Personalize» from the context menu.
- In the Personalization settings, click on «Themes» in the left sidebar.
- Scroll down and click on «Desktop icon settings» under the «Related Settings» section.
- In the Desktop Icon Settings window, choose the icons you want to change and click «Ok» to apply the changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions related to changing desktop icons on Windows 10:
1. How can I change the desktop icons on Windows 10?
To change the desktop icons on Windows 10, follow these steps:
1. Right-click on the desktop and select «Personalize».
2. In the Settings window, click on «Themes» in the left sidebar.
3. Scroll down and click on «Desktop icon settings» under the «Related settings» section.
4. In the Desktop Icon Settings window, select the icons you want to change (e.g., «Computer», «Recycle Bin», etc.).
5. Click on the «Change Icon» button and choose the new icon from the list or browse for a custom icon on your computer.
6. Click «OK» to save the changes and apply the new icons to your desktop.
2. Can I customize the icon for a specific file or folder?
Yes, you can customize the icon for a specific file or folder on Windows 10. Here’s how:
1. Right-click on the file or folder and select «Properties».
2. In the Properties window, click on the «Customize» tab.
3. Click on the «Change Icon» button.
4. Choose a new icon from the list or browse for a custom icon on your computer.
5. Click «OK» to save the changes and apply the new icon to that specific file or folder.
3. Can I revert to the default icons on Windows 10?
Yes, you can easily revert to the default icons on Windows 10 by following these steps:
1. Right-click on the desktop and select «Personalize».
2. In the Settings window, click on «Themes» in the left sidebar.
3. Scroll down and click on «Desktop icon settings» under the «Related settings» section.
4. In the Desktop Icon Settings window, select the icons you want to revert (e.g., «Computer», «Recycle Bin», etc.).
5. Click on the «Restore Default» button.
6. Click «OK» to save the changes and revert to the default icons on your desktop.
4. Can I download new icons for my desktop on Windows 10?
Yes, you can download new icons for your desktop on Windows 10 from various websites. Here’s how to do it:
1. Search for «Windows 10 desktop icons» or «free desktop icons» on your preferred search engine.
2. Browse through the search results and find a website that offers free icon downloads.
3. Select the icon pack or individual icons you want to download.
4. Click on the «Download» button or link.
5. Once downloaded, extract the files (if necessary) and follow the instructions provided by the website to apply the new icons to your desktop.
5. Are there any third-party software options to change desktop icons on Windows 10?
Yes, there are several third-party software options available to change desktop icons on Windows 10. Here are a few popular ones:
To change desktop icons on Windows 10, simply right-click on an empty area of the desktop and select «Personalize» from the context menu. This will open the Settings app. From there, click on «Themes» in the left sidebar and then click on «Desktop icon settings» located under the «Related Settings» section on the right side. A «Desktop Icon Settings» window will appear where you can choose which icons you want to show or hide on your desktop.
If you want to change the default icon associated with a desktop shortcut, right-click on the shortcut and select «Properties.» In the Properties window, click on the «Change Icon» button and browse for the desired icon file. Select the new icon and click «OK» to apply the changes. You can also customize icons by downloading icon packs from the internet and using third-party software like IconPackager or WinCustomize.
