Changing Shortcut Icons - Video Tip

Submitted by pcsnpixels on December 6, 2005 - 10:13am.

Lately many of our tips have focused on Internet and computer safety and security. As important as these topics are, computers still do have a fun side. In fact, Adam and I often refer to computers as the 'hot rod' of the new millennium...you can customize it to your own liking. In today's tip, you will learn how to customize boring old shortcuts on your desktop. Since Windows 95, Microsoft gave users the ability to change icons to suit their own tastes, but this feature doesn't get practiced very often. Here's how to make the changes like I did in the example shown for my Digital Photos shortcut:

  1. RIGHT Click on any shortcut icons (shortcuts have the little arrow in the lower left corner)
  2. Click Properties from the menu
  3. Click Change Icon
  4. Click on a new icon of your liking
  5. Click OK
  6. Click OK

Now you have your new icon! If you are really adventurous, you can click the Browse button in Step 4 and find other icons to choose from that exist in other locations on your computer. Click here to view the movie showing you the transformation and steps of changing a shortcut icon.

If customizing your 21st century 'hot rod' appeals to you, check out the links below we found for you where you can download many different types of icons you can use...most of them for free.

If you liked this post, consider buying me a beer!