How to Rename Desktop System Icons

If you would like to add a little personality to your computer, you can rename your desktop system icons to something more personal, fun or quirky.

A little registry tweaking is necessary for you to be able to do this.  The tweak detailed in this article will work for Windows XP based computers.  Before starting on any registry editing, be sure to create a back-up.  You can use your back-up file to reinstall your registry in case something happens.

To personalize your icons, simply follow the steps below and have fun!

1. Cick on Start and go to Run.  Type in regedit and press enter.

2. Now navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER.  Expand the folder.

HKEY Current User

3. Go to the Software folder.  Expand it.

Hkey Current User Software folder

4. You will find the Microsoft folder.  Expand it.

HKEY Current User Software Microsoft folder

5. You will find the Windows folder upon expanding the Microsoft folder.

HKEY Current User Software Microsoft Windows folder

6. Go to CurrentVersion.

Local Machine Software Microsoft Windows Current Version

7. Proceed to Explorer.

Local Machine Software Microsoft Windows Current Version Explorer

8.  Expand CLSID.

HKeY Classes Root CLSID

9. Now go to CurrentVersion.  Once you’ve found it, go to Explorer.

HKEY Current User Software Microsoft Windows Current Version Explorer

10.  Find the CLSID folder.  At this stage, it is best to be very careful because the long string of letters and numbers may become confusing.

The subkeys you will need are:

My Network Places {208D2C60-3AEA-1069-A2D7-08002B30309D}

My Computer {20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}

My Documents {450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}

Recycle Bin {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}

Internet Explorer {871C5380-42A0-1069-A2EA-08002B30309D}

11. Select a key to be changed on the left.  Double click the Default value in the right hand pane.  Enter the text you want it to display.             

12.  To view the changes, go to Desktop and press F5.  Your changes should show up.

If you don’t like the change, delete it by right clicking on the value and selecting Delete.  It should revert to the default.  Pressing F5 will reflect the changes.