In this third article of the series called “Taking Control of your Windows Desktop“, I show you how to change the Windows 7 Desktop icons. The icons I’m referring to are not your regular “shortcut” icons, but the ones that are part of the Windows system, including Computer and Recycle bin.
Sometimes these system icons are not displayed on a new installation of Windows 7, and because they are quite handy, this can be a problem. That’s why I want to talk about them here.
[NOTE: In my book, the Windows PC Guidebook I talk in great detail about how to work with the Windows Desktop. CLICK HERE to learn more about the book.]
Click on the video below to see how to change the Windows 7 Desktop icons.
Click the lower-right corner button (above) to go Full Screen—>>>
Once the video starts playing, click the “gear” button (above) to change the video quality—>>>
And if you missed any of the other “Taking Control of your Windows Desktop” video articles, here are links you can click to see them…
- Create a shortcut in Windows
- Pin a shortcut to the Taskbar
- How to Change Windows 7 Desktop icons
- Organize the Windows 7 Desktop – Part 1
- Organize the Windows 7 Desktop – Part 2
- Customize the Windows 7 Notification Area
- Change the Windows 7 Desktop background
- BONUS: Change Windows 7 Screen Resolution
As always, I’d love to hear your experiences or comments. You can leave them below…
Question about desk top icons.
I have so many folders n the desktop, I can’t find anything.
How do I move a folder, full of pictures ( or files) to
a different location off the desk top? I know how to move individual files but not the complete folder.
Inquiring minds want to know.
Leta Powell Drake
Hi Leta…
Good question! Since the Desktop is really just another “folder” that just happens to be visible all the time, a lot of folks use it as an easy and quick place to save things, especially since you see it at the top of the left-panel navigation menu when you have the SAVE window open.
But as you suggest, it can eventually get pretty cluttered up.
But since it IS just another folder, you can move things to and from it as you would any other folder/file.
Tell you what… since the full answer on how to do this is a bit long to write, how about I just add this topic to my list of “Taking Control of the Windows 7 Desktop” topics, and make a video on it? Since you’re on my mailing list, you’ll be notified when I have it done.
Thanks for leaving a comment and such a good question!!!
John Lortz
I create a desktop shortcut for ESPN Fantasy Footbal. I right click, it says create a shotcut, and it comes up with the logo. I’ve done this with a few others including facebook, but the icon turns to a globe. How can I stop this from happening. I’m also aware of the folder choices that let you customize a folder with a picture, but sometimes that won’t work either. I have a Dell XPS 410, and had to upgrade to Windows 7 recently. I liked XPS, but there wasn’t anything else to add on so I had to move on. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Also can I make my own icon?