Icons have always been a talking point in the Windows community. For good reason, too, as these are the most prominent visual cues in the OS for users that spend the days on their computer.
Windows 11 is stirring the pot with a whole bunch of new icons that Microsoft continues to roll out and refine during this early test phase. Unlike its predecessor, there are wholesale changes to the look of these icons. And these are changes that not everyone might be on board.
Time, then, to see how you can change icons in Windows 11.
Change icons in Windows 11
Microsoft has packed in settings to change icons on its OS in a special little corner that is tucked away in the Settings app. This panel makes quick work of refreshing the icons on the desktop, and you can gain access to it by following the steps below.
Here’s how you can get to this special menu on Windows 11.
- Press Winkey + I together to bring up
- Go to Personalization.
- Now, go to Themes.
Scroll to the bottom of this section to find the Desktop icon settings option. Once you click on it, a dialog box will open up showing the icons in use for the This PC, Recycle Bin, User Files, Control Panel, and Network.
You can click on the Change Icon… button to revise these icons using your own icon pack.
That’s how easy it is!
Where to download more icons?
A simple web search will lead you to a million different websites serving up icons that you can use to change the default ones in Windows 11. You can even go back to your favorite icons from previous versions of the OS like Windows 7 or Windows 10.
Two of the best ones are DeviantArt and Flaticon.
A community legend online since 2000, DeviantArt offers a sublime selection of Windows themes and icons packs that are illustrated by regular everyday people with interest in art. You can find a wide variety of icons here, highly unique.
While DeviantArt may be more of a social network geared towards artists, Flaticon is the place to be if you want to download individual icons and icon packs crafted by designers. You will find millions of icons and UI elements that you can use to give your Windows 11 system a sleek new look.
