Windows 11 lets you change app icons, but the method depends on whether you want to change the shortcut icon or the app itself

You can change how an app looks on your desktop or taskbar in Windows 11 without touching the actual program. The easiest route is to right-click a shortcut, open its properties, and pick a different icon from your computer or the web. If you want to change the icon for the app itself inside the Start menu, you'll need to use the Settings app to edit how Windows displays it. Neither method affects how the app runs or what data it collects — you're only changing the picture.

The reason people ask about this on Reddit is usually one of three things: they want their desktop to look a certain way, they're trying to spot a shortcut versus the real app, or they're testing whether changing the icon might hide something. It won't. The icon is purely visual.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click any desktop shortcut, select Properties, click Change Icon, and pick from the list or browse your computer for a new image file.
  • To change an app's icon in the Start menu, right-click the app tile, select Open file location, then right-click the shortcut file and change its icon the same way.
  • Windows comes with hundreds of built-in icons in C:\Windows\System32\shell32.dll that you can use without downloading anything.
  • Changing an icon does not change what the app does, what permissions it has, or what data it sends — it only changes the picture you see.
  • If you read icon files from the internet, stick to .ico or .png files and get them from sites you trust, since a malicious file could cause problems.

How to change a desktop shortcut icon

Right-click the shortcut on your desktop. Select Properties from the menu. In the window that opens, click the Shortcut tab if it's not already selected. At the bottom, you'll see a button that says Change Icon — click it.

A dialog box will open showing icons from the shortcut's target file. Scroll through and pick the one you want, then click OK. Click explore and then OK again to save. The shortcut's icon will change when ready on your desktop.

If the list of icons is small or you don't like any of them, you can browse for a different file. In the Change Icon dialog, type a path to another file — for example, C:\Windows\System32\shell32.dll contains hundreds of Windows icons. You can also paste the path to any .ico or .png file on your computer.

How to change an app's icon in the Start menu

Right-click the app in your Start menu. Select Open file location. This opens a folder showing the shortcut file for that app. Right-click the shortcut (it will have the app's name and a small arrow in the corner), then select Properties.

Click the Shortcut tab, then Change Icon at the bottom. Pick a new icon from the list or browse for a file on your computer. Click OK, then explore, then OK again. The next time you open your Start menu, the app's icon will show the change.

If you can't find the app in the file location folder, it may be a built-in Windows app that doesn't have a traditional shortcut file. Those apps are harder to change and usually require editing system files, which is not worth the trouble for most people.

Where to find icon files on your computer

Windows includes a large library of icons you can use without downloading anything. The most common place is C:\Windows\System32\shell32.dll, which holds hundreds of icons for folders, files, arrows, and symbols. You can also find icons in C:\Windows\System32\imageres.dll and C:\Windows\System32\pifmgr.dll.

To use these, open the Change Icon dialog and type the full path — for example, C:\Windows\System32\shell32.dll — then press Enter. A list of all available icons from that file will appear. Pick one and click OK.

If you want custom icons, you can read .ico or .png files from the internet. Stick to well-known sites and check the file type before you use it. A .ico file is safe; a .exe or .dll file from an unknown source is not.

What happens when you change an icon

Changing an icon only changes the picture — nothing else. The app still runs the same way, still has the same permissions, still connects to the same servers, and still collects the same data. You're not hiding anything or making the app behave differently. You're just putting a different label on it.

This is why people sometimes ask on Reddit whether changing an icon can hide a malicious app or make one safer. It can't do either. If an app is dangerous, changing its icon won't make it safe. If an app is safe, changing its icon won't make it dangerous. The icon is cosmetic only.

Reverting to the original icon

If you change an icon and want to go back, open Properties again, click Change Icon, and pick the original from the list. If you can't remember which one it was, you can restore the shortcut itself. Right-click the shortcut, select Delete, then right-click the app in your Start menu and select Pin to taskbar or Pin to Start to create a fresh shortcut with the original icon.

For apps in the Start menu, you can also uninstall and reinstall the app to reset its icon to the default. This is slower but guarantees you'll get back to the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any image file as an app icon?

Windows works best with .ico files, but it can also use .png files. If you have a .jpg or other format, you can convert it to .ico using free online tools, then use it as an icon. Avoid using .exe or .dll files from unknown sources, since those can contain code that runs when you click them.

Will changing an icon affect my computer's security?

No. Changing an icon does not change what the app does, what it accesses, or what it sends. It's purely visual. If you're concerned about an app's security, look at its permissions in Settings or research the app itself — the icon won't tell you anything about that.

What if the Change Icon button is greyed out?

This usually means the shortcut points to a built-in Windows app or a file that doesn't contain icons. Try browsing to a different file like shell32.dll. If it's still greyed out, the app may not support icon changes through the standard method.

Can I use icons from Reddit or other websites?

Yes, as long as you read .ico or .png files from sites you trust. Save the file to your computer, then browse to it in the Change Icon dialog. Avoid downloading .exe files or anything that looks suspicious, even if someone on Reddit recommends it.

Do I need to restart Windows after changing an icon?

No. Changes to desktop shortcuts show up when ready. Changes to Start menu app icons show up the next time you open the Start menu. You don't need to restart your computer.