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Changing Desktop Icons

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dougsd's Avatar
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14-Jul-2004, 11:34 PM #1
Changing Desktop Icons
I use a lot of shortcuts on my desktop, but they mostly look the same with the E in the blue box.
Is there any way to change, or import different icons so the desktop looks more defined?
brushmaster1's Avatar
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15-Jul-2004, 01:45 AM #2
Certainly.
Just right-click on any shortcut and select "Properties", then click on the "Change Icon" button. Select "Browse", and go through your .DLL and .EXE files for interesting Icons.
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15-Jul-2004, 03:27 AM #3
Or create your own keep em in a file named icons in docs. They must be .bmp and maybe smallish in size. From images searches or from your pictures.

Here is my desktop:
Attached Thumbnails
Changing Desktop Icons-desktop4july0116.gif  

Last edited by aarhus2004; 15-Jul-2004 at 02:15 PM..
peanutman's Avatar
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15-Jul-2004, 06:34 AM #4
ICon Packager
Stardock have a real neat program called Icon Packager. Check it out on wincustomize.com or stardock.com
Moby's Avatar
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15-Jul-2004, 08:35 AM #5
Or you can download zillions for free, ready to use, off the net.
Heres a couple of places to start

http://www.coolarchive.com/icons.cfm

http://www.iconarchive.com/
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15-Jul-2004, 09:47 AM #6
IconArt is one I use, it is freeware.
dougsd's Avatar
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15-Jul-2004, 10:35 AM #7
I appreciate all your input, and will see whether I can produce a more varied and interesting collection.
I did download some program called Image Icon Converter, but it did not seem to work for me.
Doug in San Diego
dougsd's Avatar
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15-Jul-2004, 01:10 PM #8
When I right click on my desktop shortcut icons, go to properties, some most will let me know where they are opening with, such as Avant Browser.
I only have a tab that says General and in the box says what the site is.
So I am not sure how to change these.
I did download some icons in a new folder labeled Icons.
I'm not sure how to change the appearance though?
Doug
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15-Jul-2004, 02:21 PM #9
Deke40's Avatar
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16-Jul-2004, 08:23 AM #10
Just do as you were doing and right click the icon\properties\web document\change icon\browse\and go where the folder where they are stored\open\highlight the icon\ok\apply.

I use Active Desktop so mine don't show but I used the ones in Windows for mine which can be located as follows:

cool.dll - System
pifmgr.dll - System
shell32.dll - System
program.exe - Windows
moricons.dll - Windows
Attached Thumbnails
Changing Desktop Icons-clipboard01.jpg  
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Last edited by Deke; 16-Jul-2004 at 09:02 AM..
dougsd's Avatar
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16-Jul-2004, 04:43 PM #11
Thanks Deke for the info.
I still have some desktop icons that I just can't seem to change.
I use Hotmail as an extra source.
When I click on it or search in files and folders, I can't seem to get the icon to change.
Any suggestions?

Doug
DaveBurnett's Avatar
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16-Jul-2004, 06:17 PM #12
Some won't let you change them - mostly MS products/programs
dougsd's Avatar
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16-Jul-2004, 06:42 PM #13
On some short cuts a folder along with the short cut icon appears.
If I delete the folder icon, the shortcut won't work.
Can I move the folder icon off the desktop?
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