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I found this in a few different places around the 'net - hopefully it's helpful:

How to Change the Default Icons for Folders in Windows XP

You cannot customize the default icon for a folder in Windows; however, you can make a shortcut to a folder and change the look of the shortcut icon. To make a shortcut to a folder and change the look of the shortcut icon:

  • Open My Computer and browse to the folder that you want.
  • Right-click the folder, and then click Create Shortcut. If you are prompted to place the shortcut on the desktop, click Yes.
  • Right-click the shortcut you created, click Properties, and then click Change Icon.
  • 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:

  • Right-click the shortcut you created, click Properties, and then click Change Icon.
  • Click Browse, type %systemroot%\system32\shell32.dll in the File name box, click Open, click the icon you want to use, click OK, and then click OK.
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Short practical summary and safe guidance based on the thread

The method posted (making a shortcut) is the least-invasive way to get a different folder image. 's desktop.ini approach (per-folder customization) is the standard supported method for giving individual folders custom icons. Several replies (including and ) mention hacks that change the system folder image by editing shell32.dll — that does work, but it is riskier and often temporary because Windows protects core system files. Ignore the obvious spam in 's post.

If a system‑wide change is required, prefer the registry override over editing DLLs
A safer, update‑friendlier approach is to override Explorer's default icons via the Shell Icons registry key rather than replacing shell32.dll. It is the less invasive way to change the default folder graphics for the shell, but it has limitations (different views/sizes may still use cached or alternate icon resources). Be sure to back up the registry and test on a spare machine or VM first. See a practical how‑to for the registry approach. (askvg.com)

Why editing shell32.dll is risky
Windows File Protection / the system file protection mechanism will attempt to restore modified system DLLs, and Windows updates or SFC can also undo or break a manual replacement. That makes direct DLL edits fragile and potentially harmful; always make a full backup and create a restore point before attempting anything that replaces a system file. (support.microsoft.com)

Practical tips and troubleshooting (things missing from some replies)

  • For per‑folder icons, Windows only applies desktop.ini customizations when the folder is marked as a “special” folder (Explorer checks the folder attributes). Setting the folder attribute (read‑only/system) tells Explorer to use desktop.ini. (morgansimonsen.com)
  • If you want icons to travel with a folder, use tools that set the “distributable” behavior (copy the .ico into the folder) or place the .ico at a stable absolute location. Commercial/free tools automate this. (folderico.com)
  • If icons vanish or look wrong, rebuild the icon cache (Windows XP example below). Run from an elevated CMD and replace the path if different for your profile:
taskkill /F /IM explorer.exe
attrib -H "%userprofile%\Local Settings\Application Data\IconCache.db"
del "%userprofile%\Local Settings\Application Data\IconCache.db"
explorer.exe

Reference for rebuilding icons (XP) and more troubleshooting steps. (trishtech.com)

Bottom line: for most users use shortcuts or desktop.ini; for system‑wide tweaks try the registry Shell Icons method; avoid editing protected DLLs unless you fully understand the backup/restore and WFP consequences.

Recommended Answers

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Member Avatar for kanebt

There has recently been a hack discovered to permanently change the DEFAULT windows xp folder icon.

Member Avatar for The Dude

Interesting........Welcome to the site :)

Member Avatar for technogeek_42

THEIR IS A SAMPLE VIDEO of csgal say but it not good coz it uses for the purpose of trojan try to look at in www.youtube.com then type what is your looking for

Member Avatar for sowndaryan

I hav an idea.Download "RESHACK" that allows you to edit shell32.dll.Download it and open it.Then click "File--->open",then select 'Shell32' and click open.Double click on icon folder.A lot of numbers displayed.Double click on '19'.Then select "Action--->Replace Icon".Then select "Open file with new icon",then select your desired icon file and click open.Then select "replace".The select "File--->save".Then restart your computer.Then right on a folder and click 'properties' and select 'customize' then click 'change icon'.your icon is displayed there.Or already your folders are like that icon.

commented: stop posting in a dead thread -1
Member Avatar for savis1

Changing the system properties seems to be a safe option for changing the icons of the default folders.

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