How to Change the File Type Icon in Windows

In Windows, file icons help identify file types and their associated programs quickly. However, default icons may not always suit your needs. This guide will walk you through the steps to easily change the icon for a specific file type in Windows.

Step 1: Prepare a New Icon

Before changing the icon, ensure you have an appropriate icon file (.ico format). If you don’t have one, you can download it from the internet or create it with a graphics editor like Photoshop or GIMP. The icon must be in .ico format, as Windows supports this format for icons.

Step 2: Use the Registry Editor

Note: It's recommended to back up the registry before making changes, as errors can lead to system instability.

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  2. Navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, where you'll find a list of all file types registered in the system.
  3. Find the file type you want to change (for example, for .txt files, look for the .txt folder).
  4. In this folder, check the Default parameter value. It will show the name of the key associated with this file type (for example, txtfile for text files).
  5. Go to the folder with this name (e.g., txtfile) and find the DefaultIcon folder.
  6. Open the (Default) parameter in the DefaultIcon folder and enter the path to the new icon (e.g., C:\Icons\new_icon.ico).
  7. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer or restart Windows Explorer to apply the changes.

Step 3: Use Third-Party Tools

If working with the registry seems challenging, you can use third-party programs to change icons, such as FileTypesMan or Types. These utilities provide a graphical interface that is easier and safer to use:

  • FileTypesMan: Allows you to edit file associations and change icons through an intuitive interface.
  • Types: Another user-friendly program that lets you change file type icons in just a few clicks.