How to Change or Restore the Videos Folder Icon in Windows

The Videos folder is the default user folder and location where video files are stored in Windows. It is typically located at C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Videos, which can easily be navigated within File Explorer. However, folders may all look similar in File Explorer, which can become confusing.

This is why some users want to customize their Videos folder icon to make it instantly recognizable. Meanwhile, those who want a uniform icon for all their folders for a homogenous visual experience might want to revert any custom icon back to the default.

The good thing is that Windows allows changing this setting to cater to different user preferences. In this guide, we will walk you through the procedures for how to change the video folder icon in Windows 10 or restore it to its original state, using both basic and advanced methods.

How to change the Videos folder icon

Method 1: Using folder Properties

1. Locate the Videos folder by opening File Explorer and navigating to C:\Users\[YourUsername].
2. Right-click on the Videos folder and select Properties.
3. In the Properties window, click on the Customize tab.
4. Click the Change Icon… button.
5. Choose a new icon from the list or browse to a custom .ico file.
6. Click OK to confirm.

Method 2: Using a Desktop.ini File (for advanced users)

1. Enable Hidden Items in File Explorer. Open File Explorer, go to the View tab, and tick Hidden items.
2. Open the Videos folder and look for the desktop.ini file. Right-click it and select Open with > Notepad.
3. Add or edit the following lines:

• • [.ShellClassInfo]
  • IconResource=C:\Path\to\your\customicon.ico,0
  • Replace C:\Path\to\your\customicon.ico with the actual path of the .ico file.

4. Save the file and restart File Explorer for the changes to take effect.

How to restore the default Videos folder icon

Method 1: Using Folder Properties

1. Access the Properties Window. Right-click the Videos folder and select Properties.
2. Click on Customize in the Properties window.
3. Click the Change Icon… button.
4. Select Restore Defaults, then click OK.
5. Click Apply, then OK to restore the default icon.

Method 2: Reset Folder Icons to Default Using Registry Editor

1. Open Registry Editor by pressing the Windows key + R. Type regedit and press Enter.
2. Navigate to the Folder Icons Key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders
3. Find any Videos folder entry with a custom path and delete it.
4. Restart Windows Explorer or reboot the PC to apply the default icon.

Alternative methods

Method 1: Using Third-Party Software

Tools like IconPackager or CustomFolder allow for easy customization. (Note: Always download third-party software installers only from official websites or trusted platforms like the Microsoft Store.)

Method 2: Manually Assigning Icons via Shortcuts

Right-click a shortcut to the Videos folder, go to Properties > Change Icon, and select an icon.

Videos folder icon FAQs

Will changing the icon affect the folder’s functionality?

No, it is only a visual change. The folder remains fully functional even after changing its icon.

Can I use any image as an icon?

No, Windows only supports .ico files. However, you can convert images into a .ico file using online tools.

Why doesn’t my new icon appear immediately?

Try restarting Windows Explorer, then check if the icon change has taken effect. You can also try clearing the icon cache by doing the following:

• Open Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key + R. Type cmd and press Enter.
• In the Command Prompt window, type: ie4uinit.exe -show, then hit Enter.
• This should force a refresh of the icon cache, helping new or updated icons display properly. In most cases, you’re not required to restart your PC after doing this.

Configuring the Videos folder icon in Windows

Changing the Videos folder icon is a simple way to personalize Windows based on user preference. Users can modify the icon via Folder Properties or advanced methods like desktop.ini. The default icon can be restored through Properties or the Registry Editor. Additionally, third-party tools offer additional customization options to help users change the Videos folder icon. Restarting Windows Explorer or refreshing the icon cache can resolve the issue if changes don’t take effect immediately.