How To Change The Icon Of An App In Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Edgar Nicov

How-To

4 min. read

Published on November 7, 2025

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Customizing your Windows 11 experience can be a fun way to personalize your computer. One simple way to add a personal touch is to change the icon of your favorite apps. This guide will walk you through the process of changing an app icon in Windows 11, allowing you to give your desktop a unique and customized look.

Changing app icons in Windows 11 is a straightforward process that doesn’t require any special software. By following these simple steps, you can easily replace the default icons with custom images, making your desktop more visually appealing and easier to navigate. Let’s dive in!

Want to Personalize Your Windows 11 App Icons?

Find or Create Your New Icon

Search online: Look for free icon packs or individual icons on websites like IconArchive, Flaticon, or DeviantArt.
Create your own: Use an image editing program like Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, or even Microsoft Paint to create your own custom icon. Ensure the image is saved in .ico format.

Locate the App’s Shortcut

On the desktop: If the app has a shortcut on your desktop, you can proceed directly.
In the Start Menu: If the app is only in the Start Menu, you’ll need to create a shortcut first.

Open the Start Menu.
Find the app you want to customize.
Right-click on the app.
Select “Open file location.” This will open the folder containing the app’s shortcut. If there is no shortcut, create one by right-clicking the application and selecting “Create Shortcut”.

Change the Icon

Right-click on the app’s shortcut.
Select “Properties.”
Click on the “Shortcut” tab.
Click the “Change Icon…” button.
If a warning appears stating “Could not find icons in file”, click “OK” to proceed.
Click “Browse…” and navigate to the location where you saved your new .ico icon file.
Select the icon file and click “Open.”
Choose the desired icon from the available options (if the .ico file contains multiple icons).
Click “OK” to close the Change Icon window.
Click “Apply” and then “OK” in the Properties window to save the changes.

Verify the Change

The icon on your desktop or in the Start Menu should now reflect the new icon you selected. If the icon doesn’t update immediately, try restarting your computer or refreshing the desktop by right-clicking and selecting “Refresh.”

Tips for Choosing the Right Icon

Resolution: Choose icons with a high resolution (e.g., 256×256 pixels) to ensure they look crisp and clear on your screen.
File Format: Make sure your icon is in .ico format, as this is the standard format for Windows icons.
Consistency: Maintain a consistent style for all your custom icons to create a cohesive and visually appealing desktop.
Relevance: Select icons that are easily recognizable and relevant to the app they represent.

Comparing Icon Customization Methods

Feature	Manual Method	Third-Party Apps
Complexity	Simple, requires no additional software	Can be more complex, requires installing and learning new software
Customization	Limited to single icon changes	Offers more advanced customization options, such as icon packs and themes
Cost	Free	May be free or paid, depending on the app
System Resources	Minimal impact on system resources	May consume more system resources, especially if the app runs in the background
Potential Risks	No significant risks	Potential risks associated with installing software from unknown sources

Give Your Desktop a Fresh New Look

Changing the icons of your apps in Windows 11 is a great way to personalize your computer and make it more visually appealing. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily customize your desktop to reflect your unique style and preferences.

FAQ

How do I convert an image to an .ico file? You can use online converters like Convertico or dedicated image editing software like GIMP or Adobe Photoshop to save images in the .ico format.

Why is the “Change Icon” button greyed out? The “Change Icon” button is only available for shortcuts, not for the original application file. Make sure you are modifying the properties of a shortcut.

Can I change the icon of any app in Windows 11? You can change the icon of most apps that have shortcuts. However, some system apps may not allow icon customization.

How do I revert to the default icon? In the “Change Icon” window, click the “Restore Defaults” button to revert to the original icon.