You can change individual icons or swap entire icon sets in a few minutes
Changing computer icons means replacing the small pictures that represent your files, folders, and programs with different images. You can change a single icon — like making your Documents folder show a different picture — or swap out dozens at once by installing a new icon theme. The steps differ between Windows and Mac, and the tools you use depend on whether you want to change one icon or redesign your whole desktop.
Most people change icons because the defaults feel bland, or because a custom icon makes a folder easier to spot. Some do it for consistency — matching all their work folders to the same visual style. Whatever your reason, the process is straightforward and reversible; you can always put the original icons back.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, right-click any folder or shortcut, select Properties, click Change Icon, and pick a new image from the built-in library or your own files.
- On Mac, select a file or folder, press Command+I to open Get Info, drag a new image into the icon preview box at the top left, then close the window.
- Icon packs and themes let you change dozens of icons at once, but they work differently on Windows and Mac and may require third-party software.
- Downloaded icon files should come from trusted sources, because malicious files can hide inside image files.
- Changing an icon does not change what the file does — it only changes how it looks.
Changing a single icon on Windows
Right-click the folder or shortcut you want to change. Select Properties from the menu that appears. In the Properties window, click the Customize tab at the top, then click the Change Icon button.
A window will open showing Windows' built-in icon library. Scroll through the options and click the icon you want. Click OK, then click Apply and OK again to close Properties. The folder or shortcut now displays your chosen icon.
If you want to use an icon from your own files — a photo, a downloaded image, or a custom icon file — click Browse in the icon window instead of scrolling through the library. Navigate to the image file on your computer and select it. Windows will extract any icons from that file and show them to you. If the file contains only one icon, it will be selected automatically.
Note: This method works for folders and shortcuts, but not for program files themselves. If you try to change a program's icon this way, the change may not stick or may revert when you update the program.
Changing a single icon on Mac
Click the file or folder you want to change, then press Command+I on your keyboard. The Get Info window opens. At the top left of this window is a small preview of the current icon.
Find an image file you want to use as the new icon — this can be a photo, a PNG file, or any image format Mac recognizes. Drag that image file directly into the icon preview box at the top left of the Get Info window. The icon will update immediately. Close the Get Info window and you are done.
To revert to the original icon, open Get Info again, click the icon preview, and press Delete. The original icon returns.
If you want to use an icon from the internet, download it first, then drag it into Get Info the same way. Mac will automatically crop and resize the image to fit the icon space.
Installing icon packs and themes on Windows
Icon packs are collections of related icons designed to work together — for example, a set of flat colorful icons, or a set styled like old computer systems. Installing a full pack is faster than changing icons one at a time, but Windows does not have a built-in way to do this. You will need third-party software.
Rainmeter and WindowBlinds are two programs that let you install and manage icon themes on Windows. Download one of these programs from its official website, install it, then browse its library of available themes. Most themes are free. Select a theme and the software will apply it to your desktop, taskbar, and file explorer.
Before downloading any icon pack or theme software, check that it comes from the official website of the program's creator. Fake versions hosted on other sites may contain malware. Stick to well-known programs with active communities and recent updates.
If you want to remove a theme and go back to Windows defaults, open the theme software and select the default Windows theme, or uninstall the software entirely.
Installing icon packs and themes on Mac
Mac does not support system-wide icon themes the way Windows does. You cannot install a single package that changes all your icons at once. However, you can change icons in bulk by using a script or by downloading pre-made icon sets and applying them manually to your most-used folders.
Websites like macOS Icons and Figma host free icon sets designed for Mac. Download the set you want, then open each icon file and drag it into Get Info for the corresponding folder or file, just as you would with a single icon. This takes longer than installing a theme, but gives you full control over which icons change.
Some users prefer this approach because it avoids installing extra software. Others use automation tools like Automator (built into Mac) or third-party apps like LUT Robot to speed up the process, but these require some technical comfort.
Where to find icon files and icon packs
Icon files come in several formats: .ico (Windows), .icns (Mac), .png, and .svg. Most websites that host icons let you download in multiple formats, so you can usually find what you need regardless of your system.
Flaticon, Icons8, and Noun Project are large libraries where you can search for specific icons and download them free or with a paid account. DeviantArt and Reddit communities like r/unixporn host user-created icon sets. Always check the license before using an icon — some require attribution, and some are not free for personal use.
Downloaded files should come from sites you recognize or that have user reviews. Malware can hide inside image files, so avoid downloading from unknown sources or clicking suspicious links. If a download seems too good to be true — like a massive icon library from an unfamiliar website — it probably is.
Troubleshooting icon changes that do not work
On Windows, if you change an icon and it does not appear, try clearing the icon cache. Open File Explorer, go to View, click Options, then Change folder and search options. Click the View tab, scroll down, and check the box next to Always show icons, never thumbnails. Click OK. If that does not work, restart your computer.
On Mac, if an icon does not update after you drag it into Get Info, try this: open Get Info, click the icon preview, press Delete to remove it, close Get Info, wait a few seconds, then open Get Info again and drag the new icon in. Sometimes Mac needs a moment to refresh.
If you are trying to change the icon of a program itself (not a shortcut or folder), the change may not stick. Programs often reset their icons when they update. For program shortcuts instead of the program file itself — right-click the program in your Applications folder, select Make Alias, then change the alias icon instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing an icon break the file or program?
No. Changing an icon only changes how the file looks on your screen. It does not affect what the file does, what program opens it, or any of its contents. You can change an icon back to the original anytime.
Can I change the icons of programs in my Applications folder?
You can change the icon of a shortcut or alias to a program, but changing the program file itself may not stick, especially after updates. Create an alias of the program instead, then change the alias icon. Right-click the program, select Make Alias, and change the alias icon.
What image formats work best for custom icons?
PNG files work well on both Windows and Mac because they support transparency. JPG files also work but may have a white background. For best results, use square images at least 256 pixels wide. Mac will resize automatically, and Windows will crop to fit.
Do I need to restart my computer after changing icons?
Usually not. On Mac, the change appears immediately. On Windows, the change usually appears right away, but if it does not, restart File Explorer or restart your computer. Restarting clears the icon cache and forces Windows to reload the new icons.
Can I share my custom icons with other people?
Yes. You can send icon files to others, and they can use them the same way you did — by dragging them into Get Info on Mac or selecting them in Properties on Windows. If you create a full icon pack or theme, you can upload it to sites like DeviantArt or GitHub for others to download.