Question:

Why does my custom folder icon revert to the default one?

I have created a custom icon file (.ico) and I want to use it for a folder on my Windows system. However, whenever I select the custom icon and click apply, the folder icon does not change and stays as the default one. This does not happen with other custom icons or Windows icons that I have tried. It seems that there is something wrong with my .ico file. How can I fix this issue and use my custom icon for the folder?

Answer:

If you have created a custom icon file (.ico) and you want to use it for a folder on your Windows system, you may encounter a problem where the folder icon does not change and stays as the default one, even after you select the custom icon and click apply. This can be frustrating, especially if you want to customize your folders and make them stand out.

There are several possible reasons why this issue may occur, and some of them are related to the .ico file itself. Here are some common causes and solutions for this problem:

• The .ico file is corrupted or incompatible. Sometimes, the .ico file may be damaged or not compatible with the Windows system. This can happen if you downloaded the .ico file from an unreliable source, or if you edited the .ico file with an improper software. To check if this is the case, you can try to open the .ico file with an image viewer or editor, such as Paint or Photoshop, and see if it displays correctly. If the .ico file is corrupted or incompatible, you will need to replace it with a new one, or create a new one with a proper software, such as [IcoFX](https://icofx.ro/), [GIMP](https://www.gimp.org/), or [Online Icon Maker](https://www.onlineiconmaker.com/).
• The .ico file is not in the correct location. Another possible reason why the custom icon does not work is that the .ico file is not in the correct location. Windows usually looks for the .ico file in the same folder where the folder you want to change is located. For example, if you want to change the icon of a folder named “Documents” in your “C:\Users\YourName” directory, you need to place the .ico file in the same directory, i.e. “C:\Users\YourName”. If you move or delete the .ico file, the folder icon will revert to the default one. To avoid this, you can either keep the .ico file in the same location, or create a shortcut of the folder and change the icon of the shortcut instead of the original folder.
• The .ico file is not selected properly. A third possible reason why the custom icon does not work is that the .ico file is not selected properly. When you right-click on the folder, go to “Properties”, and click on the “Customize” tab, you will see a button that says “Change Icon”. If you click on this button, you will see a window that shows some default icons that you can choose from. However, if you want to use your custom icon, you need to click on the “Browse” button and navigate to the location where your .ico file is stored. Then, you need to select the .ico file and click “Open”. After that, you will see your custom icon in the window, and you can click “OK” to apply it. If you do not follow these steps correctly, you may end up selecting a different icon or no icon at all, and the folder icon will not change.

These

are some of the most common causes and solutions for the problem of custom folder icons not working on Windows. If you follow these steps, you should be able to fix this issue and use your custom icons for your folders. However, if none of these methods work, you may need to contact Microsoft support or a professional technician for further assistance.