Ever since we began controlling our computer systems with a mouse, icons have been central to our working techniques. By clicking on small, easy photographs representing a folder, trash can, or magnifying glass, we will rapidly and simply set off sure occasions.

The look of the icons is managed by the working system, and most often there isn’t any purpose to vary. It could be impractical, for instance, if the trash can abruptly resembled a calculator or the search software turned a folder.

However, there are occasions when it’s truly sensible to vary the looks of the icons — for instance, relating to your individual folders and shortcuts.

If you’ve gotten plenty of icons, it may be extra engaging and clearer in the event that they don’t all look the identical. Many of us have a picture reminiscence, and if the folders have totally different colours, will probably be simpler to search out them. Apple has realized this, and in a Mac it’s straightforward to vary the colour of the folders. In Windows it’s a bit extra difficult, nevertheless it’s attainable.

Choose your individual picture

Yes, you don’t even should accept a colour change. You can freely select what an icon ought to seem like. For instance, when you’ve got a folder with paperwork associated to a horse membership you’re a member of, you possibly can substitute the yellow folder icon with an image of a horse. Similarly, you possibly can create letter and quantity icons to rapidly orientate your self to the proper folder. Or why not let the shortcuts to the net pages you typically go to have the location’s emblem.

The sky’s the restrict, however there’s one essential factor to remember. When you alter the icon on a picture folder, the preview perform disappears. If you utilize the common default icon, additionally, you will see thumbnails of the contents of the folder, however this works in the event you change the icon.

1. Open the settings

Right-click on the folder or file you need to use and choose Properties. If it’s a folder, choose the tab Customize and if it’s a shortcut, click on on the tab known as Shortcut. Either method, you’ll now see an choice known as Change icon.

2. Change to a default icon

You will now see the default icons which are constructed into the system, and what they’re will depend on what you need to change. Browse to the one you need to use, click on on it after which choose OK. Then press OK as soon as extra to substantiate.

3. Use your individual icons

If you aren’t happy with any of the built-in icons, you need to use a so-called ico-file. There are many websites the place you possibly can obtain these on-line and among the finest is Iconfinder: Browse to www.iconfinder.com and click on on Icons.

4. Search for icons…

On Iconfinder there are 6 million icons to select from and you will discover the proper one by looking out or searching by means of classes. Some icons value cash, however when looking out, you possibly can tick Free to get solely the free choices.

5. …and obtain them

Once you’ve discovered an icon you want, it can save you it, nevertheless it’s essential that you just select the ico format. You can do that by clicking on Other > ICO after which choosing Download in ICO. Make positive to save lots of the file in a spot the place you will discover it.

6. Change icon

Open icon Properties (as in step 1) and press Change icon. Select the Browse and find your ico file. Press Open and a thumbnail of your icon will seem. Make positive it’s highlighted and press OK twice. Now you possibly can see how the previous icon has been changed by a brand new one.

7. Convert optionally available photographs…

If you aren’t happy with the present icons, you possibly can create your individual. You can take an present picture and convert it to the ico format. You can do that in picture applications akin to Xnview, however there are additionally web sites that do that totally free, akin to Online Convert.

8. …or create from scratch

You can create your individual icons utilizing internet providers akin to Favicons. This is a straightforward web-based drawing program for creating Windows icons. You can do that by drawing along with your mouse or by importing a picture file out of your onerous drive. When you might be happy with the outcome, click on on Download to save lots of the picture as an icon file. As you possibly can see, Favicons is a barely outdated service by way of design.

This article was translated from Swedish to English and initially appeared on pcforalla.se.