Change Folder Picture in Windows 10

Folder Icon Big 256

In Windows 10, you can assign a picture to a folder. That picture will appear on the folder's icon instead of the default thumbnail preview of contents of the folder. Here is how it can be done.

File Explorer is the default file management app which is bundled with Windows starting with Windows 95. Besides file management operations, Explorer.exe also implements the shell - the Desktop, taskbar, desktop icons and also the Start menu are parts of the Explorer app. Note: In Windows 10, the Start menu is a special UWP app, which is integrated into the shell. Starting with Windows 8, File Explorer got the Ribbon user interface and the quick access toolbar.

File Explorer can be customized in several ways. The user can change the folder template, switch between different file views, assign a custom icon to a folder, and place any Ribbon command to the quick access toolbar. With the help of Registry tweaks, it is possible to customize its context menu. Also, it is possible to disable the Ribbon, or customize the Navigation pane.

Finally, you can set any *.jpg, *.jpeg, *.gif, *.png, *.bmp, or *.ico image file you like as a folder picture on the folder's icon. Here is how it can be done.

To change the folder picture in Windows 10, do the following.

  1. Right-click on a folder and select Properties from the context menu. Alternatively, press and hold the ALT key and double-click on the folder.
  2. Go to the Customize tab.
  3. Under Folder pictures, click on the button Choose File.
  4. Browse for the image you want to use as the folder picture.

You are done.

Before:

After:

The default folder image can be restored at any moment.

To restore the default folder picture

  1. Open the folder properties dialog.
  2. Open the Customize tab.
  3. Under Folder pictures, click on the Restore Default button.

You are done.

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Author: Sergey Tkachenko

Sergey Tkachenko is a software developer who started Winaero back in 2011. On this blog, Sergey is writing about everything connected to Microsoft, Windows and popular software. Follow him on Telegram, Twitter, and YouTube.

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