Is it possible to customize taskbar icons? If so how?

icons windows-8 google-chrome taskbar

8,563

Download and install ResHacker.
Open ResHacker as administrator and click File > Open and choose the exe file.
Click on the icon folder then on one of the subfolders there and then on a file inside the subfolder
Right click on it and choose Replace Resource...
A dialog will appear, choose the icon you want to replace from the list on the right.
Click Open file with new icon and choose the icon you want.
Click Replace.
Click File > Save.
- It has to be as administrator so it could write changes to files inside program files.
- Note that ResHacker also renames the original file to filename_original.
- If for some reason you can't write to Program Files, Just do a Save As..., save the exe file somewhere else and replace it later.

Edit: To summarize all the comments below - sometimes the application uses the resources of external dll (and theoratically, exe) file. So, if you change the icons in the exe and it's not working, check the application dll files and replace the icon there too.

8,563

Gabardine

Updated on September 18, 2022

Comments

Gabardine almost 2 years

I'd like to customize not just desktop icons but the icons that appear in the taskbar, is this possible?

And no, I'm not asking how to customize icons pinned to the taskbar, but rather the icons of active programs - specifically Chrome

There's not a single resource within the exe that contains the default icon, yet it continues to use the default icon
- user88311 about 11 years
  
  Can you specify what version of windows.
- user88311 about 11 years
  
  howtogeek.com/howto/28847/…
- Frank Thomas about 11 years
  
  Note that you can only change the icon on shortcuts, unless you manually edit the executable, which could cause signature checks to fail, and some programs may fail to elevate correctly. Not a good idea.
- Szymon Szydełko almost 11 years
  
  Hah, the funniest part is: chrome uses some hacks to add additional marks to icons: try creating second profile, and see what happens to icon (note: Use small taskbar buttons option have to be disabled)
- Szymon Szydełko almost 11 years
  
  Like there: imgur.com/UoRB1Uq Note: it's Comodo Dragon, treat it like custom chrome.
Gabardine about 11 years

My question has nothing to do with the quicklaunch or how to change the icons of pinned programs. My question is in regard to the icons of active programs that appear in the taskbar.
Gabardine about 11 years

Your answer doesn't help me since it only covers pinned icons. I have nothing pinned to my taskbar and wish to keep it that way.
Frank Thomas about 11 years

@Gabardine, I think that perhaps you should clarify your request. perhaps an image.
matan129 about 11 years

Ah, sorry, I didn't realize that. Anyways, it is not possible to change the program's (exe file) icon using Windows, since the icon is embedded in the exe file itself. You will need a tool like ResEdit to actually changes the file's resources. ResEdit is free, check it out.
matan129 about 11 years

I've edited my answer. Check it out!
Gabardine about 11 years

First I thought this was the answer but the damn thing keeps using the default icon even after I've replaced every sodding icon resource with the one I want
matan129 almost 11 years

Try replacing again with ResHacker (sorry, I can't check it right now but..)
matan129 almost 11 years

Alright, I have checked it and it works. I am editing my answer again :)
Gabardine almost 11 years

Again, this is just how to change shortcut icons.
Gabardine almost 11 years

I've tried it now at least three times. There's not a single resource within the exe that contains the default icon
matan129 almost 11 years

Can you upload that exe file?
Gabardine almost 11 years

Here's the .exe: mediafire.com/download/wmbv4hfimu6l0nz/chrome.7z
matan129 almost 11 years

Alright, here's a step-by-step howto that I've uploaded. However, somtimes the exe's icon doesn't appear to be changed but when you open it the taskbar shows the right one. Edit: If the old icon shows up, rebuild the icon cache.
Gabardine almost 11 years

Followed everything step by step, didn't work. Rebuilt the icon cache, still didn't work. I could edit the icon for foobar2000 but chrome won't let me no matter what.
Gabardine almost 11 years

Yes, the icon is still there: i.imgur.com/8OHJSax.png
Gabardine almost 11 years

Finally I found it. Chrome doesn't use the resources of the exe, but rather the resources of the chrome.dll in the [versionnumber] folder. So I replaced the resources of the .dll and now it works
matan129 almost 11 years

Great! Was glad to help. By the way, I didn't know that the icon was in the dll because it was in the exe too. I didn't have chrome installed so I couldn't think about this option.
Gabardine almost 11 years

Well you got me going on the right track if nothing else