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Customizing the desktop icons on Windows 10 can enhance your visual user experience on the computer, and can help keep you better organized. The amount of customization available in Windows 10 is impressive, and you can change the icon size, color, addition or removal of text and much more. However, finding the right way to do so can be challenging for some users. With this blog post, we aim to make the experience of customizing desktop icons on Windows 10 a breeze, by providing you with several methods to choose from, along with their advantages and disadvantages.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of How to Change Desktop Icon Settings on Windows 10
Sometimes even experienced Windows users find it challenging to change the desktop icon settings on Windows 10. The problem arises when the users can’t find the specific options they need, or do not know which settings to use for the desired result. These problems can make the icon customization process overwhelming for some users.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before you start customizing your desktop icons, make sure you have administrative access to the computer. An administrator account will allow you to change system settings on your computer. Additionally, you may want to prepare a backup of your current icon settings in case you want to revert back to them in the future. Finally, take note of your current icon size, style, and settings, so that you can compare the before and after changes.
Method 1: Using the Desktop Icon Settings Menu
This method is the most straightforward way to access desktop icon settings on Windows 10. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Right-click on the desktop and click "Personalize".
2. In the left-hand menu, click "Themes".
3. Click "Desktop icon settings".
4. In the Desktop Icon Settings menu, choose the icons you want to customize.
5. Click "Change Icon" to choose a new icon for the selected item.
6. Click "Apply" to make the changes.
7. Click "Ok" to close the menu.
Pros:
– Easy to use.
– Doesn’t require advanced knowledge of Windows settings.
Cons:
– Restricted to a limited set of customization options.
– May not be able to change all the icons.
Method 2: Using the Registry Editor
Modifying the registry editor requires more technical knowledge than Method 1, but it allows for more advanced icon customization options. The following are steps on how to use the registry editor:
1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type "regedit” in the Run dialog box and press Enter.
3. Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced.
4. In the right pane, search for "ListViewShadow".
5. Double-click on "ListViewShadow" and set the value to "0" to remove the shadow under desktop icons.
6. To change the size of icons, search for "IconSize".
7. Double-click on "IconSize" and choose the value of your choice.
8. To enable or disable text under icons, search for "ListviewShowText".
9. Double-click on "ListviewShowText" and set the value to "1" to enable and "0" to disable text under icons.
10. Restart your PC to apply the changes.
Pros:
– Provides more advanced customization options.
– Offers flexibility to change multiple icon settings.
Cons:
– Incorrectly modifying the registry editor can cause serious damage to your system.
– It requires more technical knowledge.
Method 3: Using Third-Party Apps
There are several third-party applications that can be used to customize your desktop icons. Some of the best options are IconPackager, Fences Desktop Organizer, and Stardock Start10. These apps provide a user-friendly interface that includes several customization options.
1. Download and install the third-party app of your choice.
2. Launch the application.
3. Select the icons you want to customize.
4. Customize the selected icons as per your preference.
5. Click "Apply" to save the changes.
6. Restart your PC to apply the changes.
Pros:
– Offers enhanced user interface and advanced customization options.
– Easy to use.
Cons:
– May not be free.
– Installing third-party apps can sometimes be risky.
Why Can’t I Change Desktop Icon Settings on Windows 10?
There are different possibilities that restrict the users from changing their desktop icon settings on Windows 10, here are some common ones and their fixes:
1. Some group policies restrict users from modifying Windows 10 settings. Fix: Ensure you have administrative rights or contact your system administrator.
2. The Icon cache is corrupt. Fix: Delete the cache by following these steps:
– Press Windows Key + R
– Type "%localappdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer" in the Run dialog box and press Enter.
– Delete all the icon cache files.
– Reboot your PC.
3. Missing registry key. Fix: Restore the missing registry key by following these steps:
– Open the Registry Editor.
– Navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID.
– Find and delete key "{BDEADE7F-C265-11D0-BCED-00A0C90AB50F}".
– Restart your PC.
Additional Tips
– Backup your settings before making changes to your desktop icons. The backup will give you an option to revert back to original settings if need be.
– Install third-party icon customization software to give you more customization options.
5 FAQs about Changing Desktop Icon Settings on Windows 10
Q1: Can I add my own icons to Windows 10 desktop?
A: Yes. You can add your own icons by right-clicking on the desktop, selecting “New” and then “Shortcut”. The “Create Shortcut” wizard will open, allowing you to choose any file or program to create an icon for.
Q2: How can I resize my desktop icons?
A: You can resize your desktop icons in two ways: using the Desktop Icon Settings menu or by modifying the registry editor.
Q3: What are some of the best third-party apps for customizing desktop icons?
A: IconPackager, Fences Desktop Organizer, and Stardock Start10 are some of the top third-party apps for customizing desktop icons.
Q4: What should I do if I can’t change my desktop icon settings?
A: Ensure that you have administrative privileges, check group policy restrictions, delete the icon cache, or restore a missing registry key.
Q5: Can I change the text color of the desktop icons?
A: No, it is not possible to change the text color of desktop icons on Windows 10.
In Conclusion
Customizing desktop icons on Windows 10 can enhance your user experience and help you organize your computer better. By following one of the three methods presented in this blog, you can easily customize your desktop icons to your liking. Just remember to backup your settings before making changes and review the possible restrictions that may cause complications.