how can I change my desktop icon images?

[can''t re-install my computer please hel]

how can I change my desktop icon images without all my files getting messed
up. I know I guy who did using a program, but then his "windows" got messed
(not too sure on the details, but he had to re-install) if you have no I dea
what I'm talkng about, I'll give you an example" say having the " My
Computer" Icon being set as "recycle bin" icon. Thanks.

 

[ju.c]

To change standard icons like the My Computer or Recycle Bin do this:

1. Right-click on the desktop
2. Select Properties
3. Select the "Desktop" tab at the top
4. Click on "Customize Desktop..."
5. Pick an item you want to alter
6. Press "Change Icon..."
7. Select an icon

Need more help?


ju.c


"can''t re-install my computer please hel"

 

[can''t re-install my computer please hel]

To change standard icons like the My Computer or Recycle Bin do this:

1. Right-click on the desktop
2. Select Properties
3. Select the "Desktop" tab at the top
4. Click on "Customize Desktop..."
5. Pick an item you want to alter
6. Press "Change Icon..."
7. Select an icon

Need more help?


ju.c


"can''t re-install my computer please hel"


oh, thanks, works fine, but is there a way to set custom icons, or just select a random image and set it as an icon, I think it has to be a special size to be set as an icon, anybody know?

 

[ju.c]

Try some of these to get started.

Let's Make a Theme: Customize Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/sawyer_03june30.mspx

Make your own icons (Free)
http://www.axialis.com/iconworkshop/

Search for Icons
http://www.iconfinder.net/

Right-click a picture and convert to an icon with IrfanView (Free)
http://www.irfanview.com/


ju.c


"can''t re-install my computer please hel"

 

[can''t re-install my computer please hel]

Try some of these to get started.

Let's Make a Theme: Customize Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/sawyer_03june30.mspx

Make your own icons (Free)
http://www.axialis.com/iconworkshop/

Search for Icons
http://www.iconfinder.net/

Right-click a picture and convert to an icon with IrfanView (Free)
http://www.irfanview.com/


ju.c


"can''t re-install my computer please hel"


but will any of these programs mess with my "windows" ? because that's what icon makers and editors do

 

[ju.c]

You just need to do some research.

Creating icons is fun and rewarding, but its pretty hard to
mess things up if you read more.

If you want to try testing an icon you made tell me what
you want to change and I'll help you do it right.

For example, I changed my Recycle Bin icon to a
steaming pile of dog crap when full, and a beautiful red
rose when empty. I love it!


ju.c


"can''t re-install my computer please hel"

 

[can''t re-install my computer please hel]

You just need to do some research.

Creating icons is fun and rewarding, but its pretty hard to
mess things up if you read more.

If you want to try testing an icon you made tell me what
you want to change and I'll help you do it right.

For example, I changed my Recycle Bin icon to a
steaming pile of dog crap when full, and a beautiful red
rose when empty. I love it!


ju.c


"can''t re-install my computer please hel"


lol, awesome, but can you tell me how when I download any of these, how can I actually use them as icons, where do I save them, thanks

 

[ju.c]

I keep icons I've made in a folder called My Icons: \My Documents\My
Icons
Simple enough. To start off making icons use IrfanView to convert a
picture
that you already have:

IrfanView:
Info: http://www.irfanview.com/download_sites.htm
Download: http://irfanview.tuwien.ac.at/iview410_setup.exe

Shell Extension
Info: http://www.baxbex.com/products.html (Bottom of page)
Download: http://www.baxbex.com/files/irfanex.exe

Optional Plugins:
Info: http://www.irfanview.com/plugins.htm
Download:
http://irfanview.tuwien.ac.at/plugins/irfanview_plugins_410_setup.exe

Install "iview410_setup.exe",
then "irfanex.exe"
and last, if you want the extras too, "irfanview_plugins_410_setup.exe"

Pick a picture, right-click it and select from the IrfanView menu item
Convert to ICO.

Viola! You have a custom icon! Move it to your Icons folder.

Now pick something to change. Right-click an icon, select Properties,
Change Icon and Browse to your Icons folder and select your new
custom icon. No sweat, right!

After you understand the basics you can make your own icons
from scratch. Icon Workshop is one of the best, (I've tried dozen's)
and it's free. http://www.axialis.com/iconworkshop/ You can even
use MS Paint!

Later, if you want, I can show you how to put all your custom icons
into a DLL file.

Did I miss anything?


ju.c


"can''t re-install my computer please hel"

 

[ju.c]

I found some YouTube videos you might like:

Tutorial: How to change icons in Windows XP

How to Change an icon in Windows XP

How to change some windows XP icons

Make Windows XP Icons with Paint

Search results for "make xp icon"
http://www.youtube.com/results?sear...arch_category_type=all&search_sort=&uploaded=


ju.c

 

[can''t re-install my computer please hel]

I know I'm being really really REALLY annoying about this whole "icon
changing thing" but last thing. How can I change a Video icon such as avi. is
that even possible? or and mp3 icon. I know they are FILES but I was just
wondering if theres a way to do t. thanks.

 

[ju.c]

I'm not annoyed. Ask away.

MP3 and AVI filetypes have a common icon, like a TXT file. To change
them:

1. Open Folder Options
2. Select the File Types tab
3. Scroll down to the extension you want to change (select AVI)
4. Click the Advanced button (bottom right)
5. Click on Chang Icon...
6. Browse to an icon


ju.c


"can''t re-install my computer please hel"

 

[Panic]

If you only want to change the Icon on your desktop (as your subject
indicates), right click it, choose Properties and then click on the tab that
will bring up "change Icon".

"can''t re-install my computer please hel"