You can change the Icons Windows uses for folders, the Start Menu, opened and closed folder in the Explorer, and many more.

 

1. Open RegEdit

2. Go to

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ Software\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Explorer\ Shell Icons

3. Add a string value for each Icon you wish to change.

Example: “3″ =”C:\Windows\Icons\MyIcon.ico,0″ This will change the closed folders in the Explorer to “MyIcon.ico”. Here is a complete list for each value.

 

0= Unknown file type

1= MSN file types

2= Applications Generic

3= Closed Folder

4= Open Folder

5= 5.25″ Drive

6= 3.25″ Drive

7= Removable Drive

8= Hard Drive

9= NetWork Drive

10= Network Drive Offline

11= CD-ROM Drive

12= RAM Drive

13= Entire Network 14= Network Hub

15= My Computer

16= Printer

17= Network Neighborhood

18= Network Workgroup

19= Start Menu’s Program Folders

20= Start Menu’s Documents

21= Start Menu’s Setting

22= Start Menu’s Find

23= Start Menu’s Help

24= Start Menu’s Run

25= Start Menu’s Suspend

26= Start Menu’s PC Undock

27= Start Menu’s Shutdown 28= Shared

29= Shortcut Arrow

30= (Unknown Overlay)

31= Recycle Bin Empty

32= Recycle Bin Full

33= Dial-up Network

34= DeskTop

35= Control Panel

36= Start Menu’s Programs

37= Printer Folder

38= Fonts Folder

39= Taskbar Icon

40= Audio CD

You need to reboot after making changes. You may need to delete the hidden file ShellIconCache if after rebooting the desired Icons are not displayed.