What you're actually changing when you change a desktop icon
When you change a desktop icon, you're replacing the small image file that Windows or macOS displays next to a folder, program, or document name. The icon itself is just a picture — usually 32 by 32 pixels, though it can be larger. The operating system stores the real program or file separately; the icon is only what you see. Changing it doesn't move, delete, or alter the actual program or folder. It only changes what picture appears on your screen.
Your computer comes with thousands of built-in icons. You can also read new ones from the internet, create your own in image editing software, or use icons from websites that collect them. The steps differ slightly between Windows and macOS, and the method also depends on whether you're changing an icon for a program shortcut, a folder, or a document.
Key Takeaways
- Changing a desktop icon only changes the picture you see — it does not alter the program, folder, or file itself.
- On Windows, right-click the icon, select Properties, click Change Icon, and choose from the built-in library or browse to a file you downloaded.
- On macOS, right-click the icon, select Get Info, drag a new image into the icon preview box at the top left, and the change applies when ready.
- Icon files come in several formats (.ico, .png, .jpg), and different formats work better on different systems.
- If you want to undo a change, you can always restore the original icon by following the same steps and selecting the default option.
Changing a desktop icon in Windows
Right-click the icon you want to change. A menu will appear. Select Properties at the bottom of that menu. A window will open showing details about the shortcut or folder.
Look for a button labeled Change Icon. On a shortcut, this button is usually on the Shortcut tab. On a folder, it may be on the Customize tab. Click that button. A new window opens showing rows of small icons — these are the ones built into Windows. Scroll through them to find one you like, click it once to select it, then click OK.
If you want to use an icon you downloaded from the internet or created yourself, click Browse instead of selecting from the built-in rows. Navigate to the folder where you saved the icon file, click the file once, and click Open. The icon will change when ready.
If the Change Icon button does not appear, you may be trying to change the icon of the actual program file rather than a shortcut. Windows does not allow you to change the icon of the program file itself through the Properties menu — you would need specialized software to do that. Instead, create a shortcut to the program on your desktop, then change the shortcut's icon using the steps above.
Changing a desktop icon on macOS
Right-click the icon you want to change and select Get Info from the menu. A window opens showing details about the file or folder. At the top left of this window, you will see a small preview of the current icon.
Find an image file on your computer that you want to use as the new icon. This can be a .png, .jpg, or .icns file. Drag that image file directly into the icon preview box at the top left of the Get Info window. The icon will change when ready, and you can close the Get Info window.
If you want to use one of macOS's built-in icons instead, open the Applications folder, find the app whose icon you like, right-click it, select Get Info, click the icon preview at the top left to select it, press Command+C to copy it, then go back to your original Get Info window and press Command+V to paste it. This takes more steps but gives you access to thousands of professional icons.
Where to find new icons online
Websites like Flaticon, Icons8, and The Noun Project host thousands of free icons you can read. Search for the type of icon you want — "folder", "music", "photo", "settings" — and read the file. Most sites let you choose the file format and size before downloading.
For Windows, read icons in .ico format if possible, though .png files also work. For macOS, .png and .icns formats work best. If you read a .png file and it does not work on your system, you can convert it using free online tools like CloudConvert or Convertio — search for "convert PNG to ICO" or "convert PNG to ICNS" depending on your operating system.
Be cautious about downloading icons from unfamiliar websites. Stick to well-known icon libraries. Icon files are small and rarely carry malware, but it is still safer to use established sites rather than random downloads.
Creating your own custom icons
If you want a truly unique icon, you can create one using free image editing software. Photoshop is expensive, but GIMP (available for Windows and macOS) is free and can create icons. Canva also offers a free web-based editor where you can design straightforward icons.
When you create an icon, keep it straightforward. Icons are tiny — usually 32 by 32 pixels on screen — so fine details will disappear. Use bold colors and clear shapes. Save your finished icon as a .png file (which works on both Windows and macOS) or convert it to .ico for Windows or .icns for macOS using a free conversion tool.
Restoring the original icon if you change your mind
On Windows, right-click the icon again, select Properties, click Change Icon, and look for a button labeled Restore Defaults or Restore. Click it, then click OK. If that button does not appear, you can also browse back to the original icon file — for programs, this is usually in the Program Files folder inside a subfolder with the program's name.
On macOS, open Get Info again, click the icon preview at the top left to select it, and press Delete. The original icon will return. Alternatively, you can drag the original icon from the Applications folder back into the Get Info window to restore it.
Why some icons won't change
System files and some built-in macOS applications have icons that cannot be changed through the normal method. Windows also protects certain system icons from being altered. If you try to change an icon and the Change Icon button does not appear, the file is likely protected by the operating system.
You can work around this by creating a shortcut (Windows) or an alias (macOS) to the file instead of trying to change the original. The shortcut or alias can have its icon changed freely, and it will open the original file when you click it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any image file as a desktop icon?
Most image formats work — .png, .jpg, .gif, and .bmp files can all become desktop icons on both Windows and macOS. However, .ico files (Windows) and .icns files (macOS) are designed specifically for icons and often look sharper at small sizes. If an image file does not work, try converting it to the native format for your operating system using a free online converter.
Will changing an icon affect how the program runs?
No. The icon is only a picture. Changing it does not alter the program's code, performance, or function in any way. The program will run exactly as it did before.
What size should my custom icon be?
Desktop icons are typically displayed at 32 by 32 pixels, though some systems use 48 by 48 or 64 by 64. If you are creating an icon from scratch, start with 256 by 256 pixels and let the operating system scale it down — this preserves detail better than starting small. Most icon websites let you read at multiple sizes.
Can I change the icon of a file I downloaded from the internet?
Yes, as long as you have permission to edit the file. Right-click it and follow the same steps as changing any other icon. However, if the file is in a protected folder (like Program Files on Windows or Applications on macOS), you may need administrator permission first.
Why does my new icon look blurry or pixelated?
This usually means the image file is too small. Icons need to be at least 256 by 256 pixels to look sharp when scaled down. If you are using a smaller image, try downloading or creating a larger version. You can also check if your image editor has an upscaling tool that can enlarge the image without making it look worse.