Changing the Icon of the iCloud and iPhotos Folders in Windows 11?


ManedCalico

ManedCalico

Member
Local time
10:44 PM
Posts
2
OS
Windows 11 Home
Hi there!

I saw there were iCloud and iPhoto folder icons available on Folder11, but I can't seem to figure out how to make them stick.

I've tried changing them the normal way with the folder properties, editing the desktop.ini, overwriting the desktop.ini file, and even setting the desktop.ini file to read-only. Every time I reboot, they're reset to the default icons.

iCloud:
IconResource=C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\AppleInc.iCloud_15.3.138.0_x64__nzyj5cx40ttqa\iCloud\iCloudDrive.exe,-134

iPhoto:
IconResource=C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\AppleInc.iCloud_15.3.138.0_x64__nzyj5cx40ttqa\iCloud\iCloudPhotos.exe,-101

There's only one other thread here on ElevenForum asking for help with the same issue, but it never really got a proper solution. Other posts point to another thread that seem to be deleted now.

I want to use some of the great icons I'm finding here, but how are you all making them stick?

Thanks!
 
Windows Build/Version
Windows 11 Home 24H2

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
    Motherboard
    MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi Gaming
    Memory
    32GB Corsair Vengeance DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus TUF GAMING OC GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 990 Pro 1 TB
    Samsung 990 Pro 4 TB
    PSU
    Corsair RM850x
    Case
    Fractal Design Define 7 Compact
    Cooling
    Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
Swelcome.

Google AI response

To change the iCloud Drive icon on Windows, you cannot directly modify the icon within the iCloud for Windows app; however, you can use a third-party file explorer customization tool to change the icon associated with the iCloud Drive folder on your system.

Here's how to do it using a third-party tool (like "File Explorer Icons"):
  • Download a file explorer icon customization tool:
    Search for and download a program like "File Explorer Icons" or similar from the Microsoft Store or online.
  • Locate the iCloud Drive folder:
    Open your File Explorer and navigate to the iCloud Drive folder located within your user directory.
  • Access icon customization:
    Open the icon customization tool and select the iCloud Drive folder.
  • Choose a new icon:
    Browse your computer to find a custom icon image you want to use for iCloud Drive.
  • Apply changes:
    Save the changes within the customization tool, and the iCloud Drive folder icon should now be updated with your chosen image.

Important points to remember:
  • System-wide changes:
    Be aware that modifying the icon through a third-party tool will only change the icon for your user profile, not for all users on the system.
  • Icon format:
    Ensure the custom icon image you choose is in a compatible format like .ico.
  • Potential limitations:
    Depending on the customization tool, there might be limitations on where you can change icons within the File Explorer.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build 22631.5039
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    4 x LG 23MP75 - 2 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / MX Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    100/40Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.4249
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
Some Windows folders have similar behavior.
I did this a few years ago and don't really remember (works in the Windows customization script).


Code: 
### Windows folder
#$str = "$FolderPictures\$Theme" + "folder-wine.ico,0"
$str = "$LibraryIcons,-9"
$TargetDirectory = "C:\Windows"
$DesktopIni = @"
[.ShellClassInfo]
IconResource=$str
"@
If (Test-Path "$($TargetDirectory)\desktop.ini")  {
  Write-Warning "The desktop.ini file already exists."
  Remove-Item "$TargetDirectory\desktop.ini" -Force
}
#Create/Add content to the desktop.ini file
Add-Content "$($TargetDirectory)\desktop.ini" -Value $DesktopIni
#Set the attributes for $DesktopIni
(Get-Item "$($TargetDirectory)\desktop.ini" -Force).Attributes = 'Hidden, System, Archive'
#Finally, set the folder's attributes
(Get-Item $TargetDirectory -Force).Attributes = 'ReadOnly, Directory, NotContentIndexed'
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Microsoft Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    MSI MS-7D98
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-13490F
    Motherboard
    MSI B760 GAMING PLUS WIFI
    Memory
    2 x 16 Patriot Memory (PDP Systems) PSD516G560081
    Graphics Card(s)
    GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 4070 WINDFORCE OC 12G (GV-N4070WF3OC-12GD)
    Sound Card
    Bluetooth Аудио
    Monitor(s) Displays
    INNOCN 15K1F
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    WD_BLACK SN770 250GB
    KINGSTON SNV2S1000G (ELFK0S.6)
    PSU
    Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 1000W
    Case
    CG560 - DeepCool
    Cooling
    ID-COOLING SE-224-XTS / 2 x 140Mm Fan - rear and top; 3 x 120Mm - front
    Keyboard
    Corsair K70 RGB TKL
    Mouse
    Corsair KATAR PRO XT
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender Antivirus
    Other Info
    https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/66553205
Thank you!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
    Motherboard
    MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi Gaming
    Memory
    32GB Corsair Vengeance DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus TUF GAMING OC GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 990 Pro 1 TB
    Samsung 990 Pro 4 TB
    PSU
    Corsair RM850x
    Case
    Fractal Design Define 7 Compact
    Cooling
    Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
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