How to Change a Folder Icon on Windows or Mac

Q: How do I get the original icon back?

On Windows, use Restore Defaults in the folder’s Change Icon settings if available. On a Mac, select the small icon in Get Info and press Delete or Backspace.

Changing a folder icon makes it easier to spot a folder or distinguish it from others. Windows offers built-in icons and can use compatible icon files; macOS lets you apply an image by copying and pasting it. The steps below apply to folders on your computer, not folders shown only inside a cloud service or app. Menu names can vary slightly by operating system version.

What You’ll Need

A folder you can edit. Work with a folder in your own account, or make sure you have permission to change it.
For Windows, no extra file is needed if you use the built-in icon choices. To use a custom icon, have a suitable .ico file saved somewhere you can find it.
For Mac, have an image file you can open and copy, such as a PNG or JPEG. macOS uses the image’s copied icon representation; you do not need to convert it to an .ico file.
Optional: a note or screenshot of the folder’s original appearance. This helps you restore it if you change your mind.

Step-by-Step

Windows 10 or 11

Choose the folder. In File Explorer, locate the folder whose appearance you want to change. Avoid changing a Windows system folder or a folder managed by an app, because the change may be restricted or reset.
Open its properties. Right-click the folder and select Properties. If the menu is abbreviated, open Show more options first; the wording and menu layout may differ slightly by version.
Open Customize. In the Properties window, select the Customize tab. If there is no Customize tab, you may have selected a special location, a shortcut, or a folder you cannot modify.
Choose Change Icon. Under the folder icons area, select Change Icon. Windows displays icons from a system file by default. Select one, or use Browse to locate a custom .ico file.
Apply your choice. Select an icon, choose OK, then select Apply and OK in the Properties window. The icon should appear in File Explorer. It may take a moment for the display to refresh.
Restore the default if needed. Return to Properties > Customize > Change Icon, select Restore Defaults if shown, and apply the change. The exact label may vary slightly.

Windows custom folder icons generally need to be in the .ico format. Renaming a PNG or JPEG file so it ends in .ico does not convert it; use an icon file that is already compatible. Keep the icon file in a stable location. If you move or delete it, Windows may no longer be able to display the custom icon.

Mac

Open the image. In Finder, find an image you want to use and open it in Preview or another image app. A simple, square image is often easiest to recognize when displayed small.
Copy the image. In Preview, choose Edit > Select All, then Edit > Copy. If the image app offers a command to copy the image, you can use that instead. Menu names may vary slightly by version.
Open folder information. In Finder, select the target folder and choose File > Get Info, or press Command-I. Check that the Info window belongs to the folder you intend to change.
Select the small folder icon. At the top-left of the Get Info window, click the small folder icon once. It should become highlighted. Do not select the large preview farther down the window.
Paste the image. Choose Edit > Paste or press Command-V. The small icon should change. Close the Info window and check the folder in Finder.
Restore the default. Open Get Info again, click the small icon to highlight it, then press Delete or Backspace, depending on your keyboard. Close the window to see the standard folder icon again.

Changing a folder’s icon does not change its name, contents, sharing settings, or permissions. The custom appearance is mainly a visual aid and may not carry over consistently when the folder is viewed on another operating system or through a web interface.

Common Mistakes

Using the wrong Windows file type: A normal image file is not automatically a Windows icon. Choose a valid .ico file rather than just changing the file extension.
Changing a shortcut instead of the folder: A shortcut has its own icon settings. Confirm you are editing the actual folder if you want the folder itself to display the change.
Pasting into the wrong Mac area: Click the tiny icon in the upper-left of Get Info before pasting. Selecting the larger preview area will not apply the icon.
Moving the custom icon file: Windows may depend on the file’s location. Store it somewhere permanent, not in Downloads if you regularly clear that folder.
Expecting the change everywhere: File browsers, cloud services, network locations, and other devices may use their own icons or ignore the custom appearance.

Tips

Use distinct, simple designs that remain recognizable at small sizes. Avoid tiny text or details that disappear in a list view.
Keep a copy of the original image or icon file and note where you saved it. This makes it easier to reuse the icon or restore your setup.
If you organize many folders, use a consistent visual system—for example, one color for projects and another for archived material—without relying on color alone.
After applying an icon, check the folder in the view where you normally use it. Some views show small icons, while others display larger previews.

Troubleshooting

The Windows icon does not change: Reopen Properties and confirm you selected Apply. Check that the chosen file is a valid .ico file and has not been moved. Close and reopen File Explorer, or refresh the folder view.
There is no Customize tab: Make sure you selected a regular folder, not a shortcut, drive, or special system location. You may also lack permission; try a folder in your own user account.
The Mac paste has no effect: Reopen the image, copy it again, then click the small icon at the top of the correct folder’s Get Info window before pasting. Confirm that the icon is highlighted.
The old icon remains visible: The file browser may be showing a cached view. Close and reopen the window or navigate away and back. If the change appears locally but not online, the service may not support custom folder icons.
The icon reverts later: An app, sync service, or shared-folder policy may be restoring its preferred appearance. Check the folder’s location and the relevant app’s settings; avoid repeatedly changing a managed folder without permission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any picture as a Windows folder icon?

Not directly through the standard Change Icon dialog, which expects an icon file such as .ico. A PNG or JPEG must be converted into a compatible icon file using a trusted tool; renaming it is not enough.

Can I use a PNG or JPEG on a Mac?

Yes. Copy the image from an app such as Preview and paste it onto the small icon in the folder’s Get Info window. The image does not need to be a Windows .ico file.

Will changing the icon affect my files?

No. It changes the folder’s appearance, not the files inside it or the folder’s name. It also does not grant access or change sharing permissions.

Will other people see my custom folder icon?

Not necessarily. The result can depend on the operating system, how the folder is shared, and whether the app or service displaying it supports custom icons.

How do I get the original icon back?

On Windows, use Restore Defaults in the folder’s Change Icon settings if available. On a Mac, select the small icon in Get Info and press Delete or Backspace.

Further reading: Microsoft Support and Apple Support. Details can change, so check the official page for anything that matters to you. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. How we write an answer.