Cannot Change the Default Folder Icons in Windows Explorer (253689)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 98
  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
This article was previously published under Q253689

SUMMARY

This article describes how to work around changing a folder icon in Windows Explorer.

MORE INFORMATION

Although you cannot customize the default folder icon in Windows Explorer, you can make a shortcut to a folder and change the look of the shortcut icon. To do this:
  1. Right-click the folder that you want to create a shortcut to, and then click Create Shortcut.
  2. Right-click the shortcut you created, click Properties, and then click Change Icon.
  3. Click the picture of the icon you would like the shortcut to use, click OK, and then click OK.

No Icons Available

If you click Change Icon, and there are no icons available, use the Browse button to find Shell32.dll:
  1. Right-click the shortcut you created, click Properties, and then click Change Icon.
  2. Click Browse, and type c:\windows\system\shell32.dll in the File name box, click Open, click to select the icon you want to use, click OK, and then click OK.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/20/2004
Keywords:kbdisplay kbenv kbFAQ kbhowto kbProd2Web kbui KB253689
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.