Introduction: Windows 7 Tip - Change a Folder's Icon & Have the Instructables Robot As Your Icon for Your Instructables Folder!

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About: My name is Deni. I enjoy DIY projects and figuring out how to tackle projects around my home, and finding creative solutions to things.

So, you've been hanging out reading tons of 'ibles and have been saving PDF's and screenshots for projects you'd like to try one of these days, and now you need a folder on your desktop or in your documents folder so store them, right?

Sure, you could just leave it looking like all of the other desktop folders you have, but that would be so hum-drum and boring for someone who is into DIY projects!  So, make your own Instructables Robot icon for your folder!

Step 1: Create an Icon From a PNG or JPEG Using a Free Online Service

I personally am a fan of:    http://www.convertico.com/ 

for converting image files to .ICO (icon) files.  It is a FREE website and very easy to use.  Just navigate to their website and follow the simple instructions.  You browse to the location of the image file you want to convert to an icon, upload it and click on GO, and you icon show up in the upper right hand corner.  You just click on it to download your newly created icon back to your computer, and you're ready to go!

You can of course, use any program or web service you choose to complete this step.

Note - you will need to know where you have saved your new icon in the nest steps, so make sure you remember where you saved it!

Step 2: Create a New Folder on Your Desktop or in Your Documents Folder

To create a New Folder on your desktop:
  • Right-click any where there is not currently an icon on your desktop
  • Click on NEW
  • Click on FOLDER
  • Enter the NAME for your folder

Step 3: Customize Your Folder With Your Newly Created Icon

Step 1 - Right Click on your new folder and choose Properties

Step 2 - Click on the Customize Tab

Step 3 - Click on Change Icon

Step 4 - Click on Browse

Step 5 -  Navigate to the location where you saved the icon you downloaded and select your icon by double clicking on it, or single clicking to select it, and then clicking Open

Step 6 -  Now you'll see a preview of your icon in the box.  Click OK.  (That dialog box will close after you click Ok.)

Step 7 -  You'll see another preview of your icon next to the Change Icon option box.  Click on Apple in the lower right hand corner of the box. 

Step 8 -  All done!  Your new folder will now show your custom icon!

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