Change any icon
- System icons and drives: This PC, Recycle Bin, special folders, sidebar, Control Panel items
- Shortcuts, with taskbar pins and Start menu kept in sync
- File types and folders
- The shortcut arrow: change it or hide it
For Windows 10 and 11
IconTinker
All-in-one Icon Manager. Change every icon Windows lets you change, plus cursors and icon themes, in one app. It doesn't break after Windows updates.
Download: coming soon
Pro: US$4.99, one-time
Free download. Single portable EXE, 64-bit and 32-bit.
Why it keeps working
Tools that patch system files often break after a Windows feature update. IconTinker doesn't patch anything.
No patching
It never edits or replaces Windows files and never takes over system folders.
No injection
No code is loaded into Explorer or any other program. Nothing hooks into Windows.
Only Windows' own places
Icons are set where Windows itself keeps them: shortcuts, desktop.ini, library files and documented registry values.
Always undoable
The original icon is recorded before the first change. Restore Original and Windows default always work.
The one icon tool a Windows customizer keeps installed. The creation tools make it useful to icon designers and developers too.
Features
Folders
- Folder Color: ten colors or any color, also from Explorer's right-click menu
- Smart Folder Icons: Documents, Music, Pictures or Videos icons by what a folder holds
- Embed Icon in Folder: the icon travels with the folder to a USB drive or a zip
Icon Themes
- Save your whole icon and cursor setup as one
.tinkfile - Preview a theme against this PC before applying
- Apply only some areas, for example just folders
- Recolor Theme: hue, saturation, brightness, grayscale
Cursors
- All 17 pointer slots, cursor sets and live previews
- Import cursor packs (
.ziporinstall.inf) - Make Cursor: images to
.cur, animated GIFs to.ani
Create icons
- Image to Icon: PNG, JPG, SVG and more to multi-size
.ico - Font to Icon: icons from any installed font's symbols
- Icon Template: put a set of icons on one folder, page or image background
- Icon packages: a
.dllicon library and a.zip
Browse and import
- Icon Browser: every icon inside any
.dll,.exeor.munfile - Edit your own icon libraries
- Import Icon Pack: matches a pack's icons to the shortcuts, file types and folders on your PC
Icon Safety
- Icon Guard: puts back icons that Windows reset
- Health Check: finds missing files and blurry sizes
- Keep Icons Safe: a copy of every icon you pick
- Backups you can export and import
Looks
- Classic Light and Dark, with standard Windows controls
- Flat: a Windows 11 style layout, following your Windows setting
- Nine named Flat skins
Free and Pro
A single change, or applying a theme, is free. Bulk work, automation and creation tools are Pro. Previews are always free.
| Area | Free | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Change icons (system, shortcuts, file types, folders, drives) | One at a time | Many at once, Add Subfolders, default folder icon |
| Folder Color | Not included | Ten colors and any color |
| Smart Folder Icons | Preview | Apply |
| Icon Themes | Save, open, apply | Recolor Theme |
| Image to Icon | Convert: Fit, Crop, Stretch, Shortcut arrow | Icon Template shape, Recolor, icon packages (.dll, .zip) |
| Font to Icon | Preview | Save icons, add to library, build packages |
| Icon Template | Preview | Make icons with it |
| Import Icon Pack | Import, browse, apply one | Apply many at once, import with a template |
| Cursors | Apply, install packs | Make Cursor, apply whole sets |
| Icon Browser | Browse, export one at a time | Edit libraries, export many |
| Icon Safety | Manual check | Icon Guard at sign-in, Health Check fixes, Keep Icons Safe |
| Skins | Classic Light and Dark; Flat System, Light, Dark | Nine named Flat skins |
| Taskbar pin sync | Yes | Yes |
Price
IconTinker Pro
US$4.99one-time, plus tax where it applies
One-time purchase. No subscription fees, ever.
Pro goes on sale when IconTinker launches. The free edition stays free.
Editions
IconTinker is a free download on this website, the Microsoft Store and Steam, each with a one-time Pro unlock.
- Website and Microsoft Store: Pro is unlocked with a license key bought on this website.
- Steam: Pro is a DLC, bought on Steam.
Requirements
Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit or 32-bit. A single portable EXE. Windows 7 and 8 are not supported.
FAQ
Will it break after a Windows update?
It shouldn't. IconTinker only uses the places Windows itself provides for icons, and doesn't patch system files or inject code. If an update resets some icons, Icon Guard can put them back.
Can I undo everything?
Yes. IconTinker records each item's original icon before the first change. Restore Previous undoes the last change, Restore Original brings back the icon from before IconTinker, and the Windows default entry puts back every original at once.
Does it need administrator rights?
Only for settings that apply to every user on the PC, such as the shortcut arrow and the default folder icon. IconTinker asks first and says why. Everything else works from a normal account.
Does it run in the background?
No, unless you turn on Icon Guard at sign-in (Pro). Then it checks your icons when you sign in and shows a notification only when it repaired something.
Is my license tied to one PC?
A license key is activated on your PC. To move it, choose Deactivate on this PC in the app, then activate on the other PC. Pro keeps working offline after activation.
Windows warns me when I first run it. Is that normal?
Until builds are code-signed, Windows SmartScreen may show "Windows protected your PC" the first time. Click More info, then Run anyway. Signed builds are planned.
Can I get a refund?
Yes, within 14 days of purchase, for any reason. See the refund policy. Steam purchases follow Steam's refund rules.
How do I get help?
Email support@facilabs.com.