How to Change Folder Color in Windows 11 – Pro Tips, No Software & More!

Customize Folder Icons (Native Windows Feature)

4 STEPS EASY 2 MIN

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METHOD

Method 1

Overview

Windows 11’s built-in icon customization lets you assign colored icons to folders, creating a visual hierarchy for effortless navigation.

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Right-click the Target Folder

Select Properties.

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Go to Customize Tab

Click the Customize tab and select Change Icon… under Folder Icons.

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Choose or Upload an Icon

Pick a preloaded icon or click Browse to upload a custom one (e.g., from Flaticon or IconArchive).

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Apply Changes

Click OK → Apply to save the new icon.

Pro Tip: Create a dedicated "Icons" folder to store custom .ico files for easy access. Use high-resolution icons (256x256 pixels) for crisp visuals.

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Rainbow Folders (Lightweight Third-Party Tool)

4 STEPS EASY 2 MIN

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METHOD

Method 2

Overview

Rainbow Folders offers a no-fuss solution to recolor folders instantly, ideal for users seeking simplicity and speed.

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Download & Install Rainbow Folders

Get the tool from the official site and install it. (It's of 4.3 MB)

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Select Your Folder

Launch the app, click Choose Folder, and select your target directory.

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Pick a Color

Select a shade from the palette or enter a hex code for precision.

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Apply Changes

Click Colorize! to change the folder’s appearance.

Remember: Enable Apply to Subfolders to color-code entire project directories at once. For quick access, pin Rainbow Folders to your taskbar.

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Folder Marker (Category-Based Color Coding)

3 STEPS EASY 2 MIN

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METHOD

Method 3

Overview

Folder Marker Pro enhances organization by pairing colors with labels like Work, Important, or Complete—perfect for project management.

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Install Folder Marker Free

Download and install the tool.

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Right-Click & Select

Right-click any folder, go to Mark Folder > Color and choose your hue.

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Assign Priority Levels (Optional)

Add High/Medium/Low priority markers for workflow clarity.

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Manual Registry Edit (Advanced Users Only)

7 STEPS EASY 2 MIN

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METHOD

Method 4

Overview

For full control, manually assign icons via the Windows Registry. Proceed with caution and back up your registry first.

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Create a Custom Icon

Make or download a .ico file using tools like GIMP or ICOConvert.

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Store the Icon

Save the icon in a permanent location, e.g., C:\CustomIcons.

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Open Registry Editor

Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.

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Navigate to Path

Go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

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Create New String Value

Right-click the right panel, select New > String Value, and name it DefaultIcon.

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Edit the Entry

Double-click DefaultIcon, enter the full path of your icon (e.g., C:\CustomIcons\blue-folder.ico), and save.

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Restart File Explorer

Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc)

Find Windows Explorer, and click Restart.

Caution: Test this method on a non-critical folder first. Never move or rename the icon file after setting it, or Windows may revert changes.

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Additional Tips

Backup Custom .ico Files: Store your icons in cloud storage (e.g., Google Drive, OneDrive) or a dedicated local folder to prevent loss.

Export Registry Keys: After manual edits, navigate to Regedit, then go to File > Export, and save a backup for one-click restoration.

Reapply Colors/Icons Post-Update: After a Windows update, restore customizations using your preferred method. Keep a screenshot of your customization steps for quick reference.