Are you tired of constantly looking at the same icons in your Windows system? Although you can’t change them because, aside from the SHELL32.dll file containing over 200 icons, there’s no other file to change icons from. 
However, did you know that Windows has a vast collection of icons hidden within various DLL (Dynamic Link Library) files? Here, I will provide you with the available icon files from Windows 2000 and XP—two popular operating systems today. For Windows 98, you can search in a similar manner.
For Windows XP, the files that contain multiple icons include pifmgr.dll, compstui.dll, Dataclen.dll, comres.dll, compatUI.dll, browseui.dll, avtapi.dll, aufiodev.dll, cscui.dll, dmdskres.dll, dpvoice.dll, locaslsec.dll, keymgr.dll, wsecedit.dll, wmploc.dll, wininet.dll, wiashext.dll, webcheck.dll, upnpui.dll, tapiui.dll, syssetup.dll, syncui.dll, stobject.dll, snmpsnap.dll, shdocvw.dll, setupdll.dll, fontext.dll… offering over 80 icons for you to choose from.
As for Windows 2000, although it doesn’t have as many options as Windows XP, there are still enough icons for you to customize. The DLL files located in the system32 folder include dpvoice.dll, dsfolder.dll, dsuiext.dll (containing 34 icons), els.dll, printui.dll, rasdlg.dll (containing 27 network connection icons), shell32.dll (containing over 100 icons), faxadmin.dll (containing 16 printer icons), localsec.dll (containing 11 user permission icons), logdrive.dll (containing 10 drive icons), pifmgr.dll (containing 38 icons), and more.
However, you can also download a new icon pack from Windows Longhorn available at http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/1093745604/1, which includes many unique and beautiful icons to update your Windows experience.
Depending on your operating system, you can change the main system icons such as My Computer, My Documents, and Recycle Bin.
For Windows XP, if you want to change a specific icon, right-click on it, select Properties, then choose Change Icon. For folders that need changing, select Customize, then Change Icon, and choose the corresponding icon file path to make your changes. To alter system icons, right-click on the desktop, select Properties, then on the Desktop tab, choose Customize Desktop. After that, simply select the link you wish to change and click Change Icon.
And just like that, you’ve given Windows XP a fresh new look.
For the Windows 2000 system, the process for changing icons is quite similar. However, when you want to change system icons, right-click on the desktop, select Properties, then choose Effects, and change the icons as usual.
Additionally, you can create your own icons to ensure they are unique and distinctive. There are plenty of icon-making programs available online. Just search for “make icon free download” on Google, and you’ll find a plethora of programs to choose from. I wish you all the best in creating interesting icons for yourself.
Phạm Lê Minh Định
