In this article, we’ll discuss the steps to help you customize your desktop icons to the photos that you love. Most desktops let you run several apps and programs simultaneously. Each has its own purpose and its own title window. This file naming scheme lets you spread several programs across the screen. And you have quite a lot of options when it comes to moving things around. When first installed, most operating software starts with a fresh and nearly empty desktop. After some months of use, this naturally fills up with icons. These are the little buttons that load your files with a quick double-click. What they are essentially are the access points to the programs and folders on your device. Their main purpose is also to convey what the program does at a glance. You’ve probably noticed that all the folders on your desktop have the same appearance. If you need to look for a specific folder, there are no visual cues except for the title. Many people even leave their desktops with icons and folders in disarray. This might make file retrieval and identification that much harder. This is where custom icons come in.
What Are Desktop Icons For?
To help with file retrieval, you can change the folder icon into a customized picture. It’s almost as simple as changing your desktop wallpaper. You may even change the icons of existing .exe programs if you like. This is a way of customizing your icons so that you can easily recognize and navigate them. It’s also a means to mask your confidential files and make them more secure. You can switch up the folder and icon names and add nondescript icon images to complete it. Only you would know the contents. This might keep snoopers away from your confidential files. There are many built-in icons on each computer, but there is quite a lot you can use. You can use any image on file that you have as an icon. You can even download any picture straight from the internet. There is also a wealth of icon libraries online. These provide artistic icons for this specific purpose. Artistic icons are available for free on sites such as IconArchive and DeviantArt. And while you’re customizing your icons, you might also want to do some sorting and organizing. This will make your desktop more visually pleasing and easier to navigate.
How to Change Desktop Icons With Built-In Icons?
Customizing your desktop icon appearance should be an easy and fun experience. Plus, it’s a great way to personalize your desktop devices. You can do this in two ways. Either you change the icon to another built-in icon or create your own. Here’s how:
How to Change Desktop Icons for Folders
Folders have a uniform appearance regardless of the operating system you’re using. This can be an issue when it comes to searching for files through a wide stack of folders. This also doesn’t do justice to files that are personally meaningful to you. Remember that when it comes to filing storage, it’s important to maintain an effective filing system and zip your files accordingly. You can also assign your photos or icons to replace the existing icon images. Here’s how:
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For Mac:
How to Change Desktop Icons for Program or Application Shortcuts
Most apps have unique appearances as a matter of trademark. The desktop shortcuts to these same programs also carry the same icons. However, this is not a guarantee that you will be able to identify them off the bat by appearance alone. You can customize app shortcuts to have pictures or icons that you recognize. Here’s how:
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For Mac:
How to Change Desktop Icons for Shortcuts to a Web Page
Web page shortcuts are great for keeping track of the web pages that you frequently visit. And they usually appear as having the same logo as the web browser that you used. However, having too many web page shortcuts on your desktop can make it look cluttered. It also makes it hard to navigate and search for files. To help you with this, you can also customize these web page icons to your preferred picture or icon. Here’s how:
For Windows:
For Mac:
How to Change Desktop Icons for Apps on Taskbar
The program taskbar contains most of the programs that you use most often. It’s located at the bottom of the Windows desktop. Or in the case of Mac computers, it’s located on the upper side of the desktop. You can also personalize taskbar icons to your preferred picture or icon. Here’s how:
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How to Change Icons for Any Drive
A drive is a location that is capable of storing information and programs. Computer drives are essential for storing files and programs used by your computer. Drives may be hard-built into your computer. Other drives are also detachable pieces of hardware such as a USB stick. You can also assign your own photos or icons to replace the Drive icons. Here’s how:
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For Mac:
How to Change Desktop Icons for Specific File Types
Windows and Mac computers have built-in options for changing icons. This makes the process of customizing programs and folders much easier. However, this is not the case for changing the icon of a specific file type. Say you want to change the icon of all your Word documents into a picture. Or your PowerPoint presentations into a specific logo. If you are using Windows, we will need the help of a software called File Types Manager. You will need to download and install this program before you can customize your icons. You can also choose from other programs like it. In any case, here’s how you can change the desktop icons for specific file types:
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For Mac:
Applications to Help You Create Custom Desktop Icons
The process of creating your icons seems complicated at first, but it’s easier than you think. Luckily, there are more than a handful of applications that can help you with this. You can create your designs right in the apps. You also have the option to use existing photos and artwork. All you need is to upload the photo or design to the application and convert it to ICO format. You can also customize existing designs using any icon app. In any case, here are some great examples of file converters for the ICO format:
Appicon.co
Appicon.co is a multi-platform online converter for icons. This software requires you to have an image, either taken from the internet or your design. If you have photos on cloud storage, you can also retrieve them. You can read this piece on how to download photos from iCloud. All you need to do is to drag the file to the website and then select the output size and file format. You can also rename the file to make it easier to look for later. The software is readily available online, no sign-in required. There’s also a desktop version that works offline. For the desktop version, you don’t need an internet connection. You can do finishing touches on your existing designs anywhere and anytime. Appicon.co is compatible with IOS, Android, macOS, and Windows devices.
Vectr
Vectr is a simple yet highly efficient vector graphics platform. Reliable cross-platform software enables users to generate icon designs right through the software. The program has all the basic tools and features that you need to create simple designs. These include shapes, pencil, and text tool. There are also customization options. Examples include opacity, border, type, and color. Granted, this software is not as powerful or effective as Adobe Illustrator. Nonetheless, it’s sufficient for creating simple vector graphics with minimum fuss. The software is also very user-friendly and easy to navigate. There’s also an auto-save feature for all projects online. Vectr is a premium software. It’s compatible with Windows, Linux, macOS, and Chrome OS.
Iconsflow
Iconsflow is another highly effective vector graphics platform. With the program, you can create your own icon set or edit styling on the existing icon design. You can change the gradient and size or even add effects to existing designs. You can also create your simple designs using the tools provided. If these two options don’t appeal to you, there are also more than 200,000 icons available for you to choose from. Afterward, you can save the icons you created to any icon format of your choice. Your icons do not lose their quality after the editing or resizing process. IconsFlow is a premium software. It’s compatible with macOS and Windows devices.
ICO Convert
ICO Convert is an online resource for converting images to icons. The software is readily available online. This software requires you to have an image, either taken from the internet or your design. All you need to do is to drag the file to the website and then select the output size and file format. You can also add borders, capture a specific part of the image, or apply basic styles. You can also compress the image and customize the output size. This software might appear rudimentary. Nonetheless, it does a great job for the final editing and conversion of your icons. ICO convert is completely free and works with macOS and Windows devices.
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator is an award-winning vector graphics software. This software is the go-to of professional artists and icon designers. To give you an idea, it’s behind the majority of the icons you see on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. The software is multi-purpose. This means you can create web and mobile graphics, icons, and so much more. It has all the drawing and coloring tools you need to create icons that stand out. You will also never run out of graphics, styles, and fonts to choose from. Your work is also auto-saved onto a cloud. Adobe Illustrator is a premium software. It’s compatible with macOS and Windows devices. There’s also a mobile app version but this has less power than the desktop software.
Final Thoughts on Customizing Desktop Icons
The ability to create and assign your icons to your files is valuable freedom to have. It makes it easier to identify and locate your files. And it also gives you the utmost ability to customize and control your computer. And given the wide variety of design software available, there’s no reason not to. Granted, computer icons might just be a small matter, but having an organized desktop with amazing personalized graphics does make an impression. If your computer is the reflection of your best self, then might as well make it as aesthetically pleasing and organized as possible.
