How to Change the Drive Icon in Windows

Many users enjoy customizing the appearance of their system, including the drive icons, to make the desktop or file explorer look more original and user-friendly. This guide will walk you through how to easily change the drive icon in Windows using a configuration file or additional software.

Method 1: Changing the Drive Icon with an autorun.inf File

This method is suitable for permanently changing the icon on removable and local drives. You'll need to create an autorun.inf file where the icon display settings are specified.

Step 1: Prepare the Icon

Before starting, choose or download an icon in .ico format. The icon should be located on the same drive where you want to change the icon display.

Step 2: Create the autorun.inf File

1. Open Notepad or any text editor.
2. Insert the following text:

[Autorun]
Icon=path_to_your_icon.ico

Replace path_to_your_icon.ico with the path to the icon file, for example: D:\icons\disk.ico.

Step 3: Save the File

Save the file as autorun.inf in the root folder of the drive where you want to change the icon. For instance, if it’s drive D:, save the file directly in the D:\ root.

Step 4: Restart or Reinsert the Drive

After restarting, the drive icon will change to the one you specified. For removable drives, simply eject and reinsert them.

Method 2: Using Third-Party Programs

If the first method seems complicated, you can use special programs to adjust the system’s appearance, such as IconPackager or Drive Icon Changer.

Step 1: Download and Install the Program

Find and download the selected program from its official website. Install it by following the instructions.

Step 2: Choose an Icon for the Drive

Open the program and select the drive and icon you want. Most programs offer pre-made icon sets or let you upload your own.

Step 3: Apply Changes

Save the settings, and the selected icon will display in the file explorer. This method allows for quicker icon customization without needing extra files on the drive.