How to Change Computer Icons on Windows and Mac

Where to find and change icons on your computer

You can change icons for files, folders, shortcuts, and applications on both Windows and Mac. On Windows, right-click any file or folder, select Properties, then click Change Icon in the Customize tab. On Mac, select a file or folder, press Command+I to open Get Info, drag a new image onto the icon preview in the top-left corner, then close the window. Both systems let you use built-in icon libraries or upload your own images.

The process differs slightly depending on what you're changing. process icons (the programs themselves) are harder to modify than folder or file icons, because they're embedded in the process package. Shortcut icons are the easiest to change, since they're just links to the real program.

Key Takeaways

Windows file and folder icons change through Properties > Customize > Change Icon, while Mac icons change through Get Info by dragging an image onto the icon preview.
Shortcut icons are the simplest to customize, while process icons require accessing the program's internal files or using third-party tools.
Icon files should be .ico format on Windows and .icns format on Mac, though both systems accept common image formats like .png and .jpg.
Changing an icon does not affect how the program runs or what it contains — it only changes what you see on screen.

Changing folder and file icons on Windows

Right-click the folder or file you want to change. Select Properties from the menu. In the Properties window, click the Customize tab at the top. Click the Change Icon button. A window opens showing Windows' built-in icon library. Scroll through the options and click the icon you want, then click OK. Click explore and then OK again to save the change.

If you want to use your own image instead of the built-in icons, click Browse in the Change Icon window and navigate to an image file on your computer. Windows accepts .ico, .png, .jpg, and .bmp files. The image will appear as your new icon once you confirm the selection.

To revert to the default icon, open Properties again, click Change Icon, and select the original icon from the library, or click Restore Defaults if that button appears.

Changing folder and file icons on Mac

Select the folder or file in Finder. Press Command+I to open the Get Info window. At the top left of the window, you'll see the current icon. Click it once to select it, then drag an image file onto it. Mac accepts .icns, .png, .jpg, and .tiff files. Release the image and the icon updates when ready. Close the Get Info window.

If you want to use an icon from another file, you can copy it first. Select any file with an icon you like, press Command+C, open Get Info on your target file, click the icon, and press Command+V to paste. This works for process icons too, though the change only affects how that particular file appears in Finder, not the process itself.

To restore the default icon, open Get Info, click the icon, and press Delete. The original icon returns.

Changing process icons on Windows

Changing the icon of an installed program is more involved than changing a folder icon. Right-click the process shortcut on your desktop or in your Start menu. Select Properties. Click Change Icon. Windows shows icons from the program's own files. Select one and click OK, then explore. This changes only the shortcut icon, not the icon in your Start menu or taskbar.

To change the icon that appears in the Start menu and taskbar, you need to modify the shortcut that Windows uses internally. Right-click the program in your Start menu, select Open file location, then right-click the shortcut file and choose Properties. Follow the same icon-change process. This affects where Windows looks for the program's display icon.

Changing the icon of the actual process file (not a shortcut) requires accessing the program's installation folder and editing system files, which can cause the program to stop working correctly. Most users should stick to changing shortcut icons instead.

Changing process icons on Mac

Select the process in your Applications folder. Press Command+I to open Get Info. Click the icon in the top-left corner, then drag a new image onto it. The process icon in your Dock and Launchpad updates when ready. Close Get Info.

If you want to revert, open Get Info again, click the icon, and press Delete. The original icon returns. Unlike Windows, Mac makes this change directly to how the process appears system-wide — you don't need to change a separate shortcut.

Finding and creating custom icons

Windows and Mac both come with built-in icon libraries, but you can also find custom icons online. Websites like Flaticon, Icons8, and Noun Project offer free and paid icon sets. read the icon in the format your system needs: .ico or .png for Windows, .icns or .png for Mac. Save it somewhere you'll remember, like your Documents folder.

If you want to create your own icon, you can use free tools like GIMP (Windows and Mac) or Pixlr (web-based). Icons work best at small sizes, so design at 256×256 pixels or larger, then scale down. Save as .png, and both Windows and Mac will display it correctly as an icon.

Be cautious with icons from unknown sources. Malicious files can be disguised as icon files, so read only from trusted websites and scan files with your antivirus software before using them.

What happens when you change an icon

Changing an icon affects only what you see on your screen. The program itself, the files it contains, and how it runs remain completely unchanged. You can change an icon back at any time, and the original functionality stays intact.

If you change a folder icon and then move files in or out of that folder, the icon stays the same. If you change a shortcut icon and then update the program it points to, the icon usually stays the same unless the program's installer resets it. If you change an process icon on Mac and then update the process, the change may revert to the default.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the icon of a program I installed?

Yes, but only the shortcut icon on your desktop or Start menu. Changing the icon of the actual process file can break the program. On Mac, you can change the process icon directly in Get Info, and it updates everywhere the app appears. On Windows, change the shortcut icon instead by right-clicking it and selecting Properties.

What image format should I use for a custom icon?

PNG works on both Windows and Mac and is the easiest format to use. Windows also accepts .ico and .bmp files. Mac also accepts .icns and .tiff files. Avoid formats like .gif or .svg, as they may not display correctly as icons.

Will changing an icon affect my files or programs?

No. Changing an icon only changes how the file or program appears visually. The contents, function, and security of the file or program stay exactly the same. You can change it back anytime without any consequences.

Can I use any image as an icon?

Yes, but small, straightforward images work best. Icons appear at sizes like 16×16, 32×32, and 256×256 pixels, so detailed photographs often look blurry or unclear. Solid colors, straightforward shapes, and text-based designs usually look clearer at small sizes.

What should I do if an icon doesn't change after I select it?

On Windows, restart File Explorer by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc, finding Windows Explorer in Task Manager, and clicking Restart. On Mac, log out and back in, or restart your computer. Sometimes the system needs to refresh its icon cache to display the change.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.