How to Edit or Change a Desktop Icon

Steps to Edit or Change a Desktop Icon in Windows

Figure I - Icon is Ready to Edit Editing Desktop Icons is a great way to learn the art of creating icons. To begin these steps you will first need to download the free trial version of Microangelo Studio for Windows. It's really easy to learn even if you have no previous experience with any image editing tools. Just follow the steps listed below. The Steps 1. Download and Install Microangelo if you haven't already done so. 2. Open Microangelo 3. Select "File" + "Open" from the top menu items and choose the icon you would like to edit from your computer. If you do not have an icon readily available to modify, you can download the Security Icons set and modify one of those for learning purposes. I am using a security icon (lock & key) for the examples here as well. Important Note: Don't try to modify System Icons you see on your desktop like "My Computer", "Recycle Bin", or any preset Desktop Folders just yet. Later when you want to Edit System Icons it's really pretty easy. To avoid any confusion at this stage lets stick to editing a stand-alone icon you downloaded somewhere. Figure II - Color Palette 4. At this step you should already have an icon you want to edit opened in Microangelo. See Figure I above. You will see the example is a 32 x 32 pixel (256 color) Windows Desktop Icon. You may also see a color palette that represents all the color swatches for this particular icon. If you do not see this color palette choose "View" from the top menu and check "Color Palette". It would appear something like Figure II to the left. 5. You are now ready to begin editing this icon. Lets start by changing the background color to something else. Right now it's a blue border with a light blue inner area. Lets forget about drop shadow and just start coloring the background something solid. 6. Coloring the icon: Move your mouse cursor over the color palette until you see an eye dropper appear. This eye dropper allows you to obtain any of the colors visible in the palette. For this example I want to make the background dark gray. After choosing dark gray with the eye dropper I move to the far left and click on the Pencil Tool to begin coloring around the lock and key. Click the link below to continue. Edit a Desktop Icon Page II >> ------------------------- HOW TO Pages for Creating Windows Icons: How To Make Icons How to Make an Icon from a JPG >> How to Make an icon from GIF >> Edit an Icon | Page 2 Edit an Icon Advanced Icon Editing | Page 2 Advanced Icon Editing Windows XP Icon Sizes Color Depths for Windows XP Icons Convert your GIF to JPG ------------------------ Basic Windows Display Properties Easy Steps: Change System Icons Windows XP Change Icon Size Change Icon Font Change Icon Spacing Make XP Icon Labels Transparent ------------------------ Essential Downloads: Latest Version Microangelo Studio for Creating & Editing Icons Free Windows Desktop Icons Collection Gallery ------------------------ User Submitted Questions to Some Common Windows Icon Problems: Change an Icon Text Name | Vista Web Site Shortcut Icon Not Working | Icons Won't Stay in the Same Location After I Restart | How to Hide All Desktop Icons | How to Hide an Icon | Show Hidden Icon Files & Folders | My Desktop Icons Are Missing | All Icons Appear Sideways |