How to Customize Program Names and Icons in the Start Menu and Windows Search

Last Updated: April 9, 2021 Tested

Windows 10 has a search feature that allows you to search for apps, programs, files, and even the internet. However, unlike the desktop, renaming the shortcut for apps and programs in search is not obvious at first. However, it is actually quite easy. You can even change the icon too! If you want to give an app or program a new name and look in Windows Search, then you've come to the right place. This wikiHow article will teach you how to change the name and icon of a shortcut in Windows Search.

Note: You need administrator permissions to do this.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:
Changing the Application Name

1
Open Windows Search. Simply click on the search bar in the bottom left corner of your screen next to the Start button
.
2
Type in the name of the app or program that you plan to customize. For example, if you want to customize Microsoft Edge, type, "Microsoft Edge" into the search bar.

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3
Click or tap the arrow under the options.
4
Click on, "Open file location".
5
Select, "Rename" in the ribbon on File Explorer. The shortcut for the program that you searched for should be automatically selected.
6
Rename the shortcut. Type the new name for the shortcut, then press ↵ Enter.
7
Confirm the change. Since the Start Menu shortcuts are stored in the Windows folder, you need to provide administrator permissions to change the name. To provide administrator permissions, click Continue. This will rename the app in Windows Search and in the Start Menu.

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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:
Changing the Application Icon

1
Open Windows Search. Simply click on the search bar in the bottom left corner of your screen next to the Start button
.
2
Type in the name of the app or program that you plan to change the icon of. For example, if you want to customize Microsoft Edge, type "Microsoft Edge" into the search bar.
3
Click the arrow under the options.
4
Click, "Open file location".
5
Select the "Properties" icon on the ribbon in File Explorer. Make sure to click on the checkmark. Do not click on, "Properties" or the arrow underneath it.
6
Click on Change Icon....
7
Select a new icon. You can select from a few by default, but you can change the selection of icons by changing the "Look for icons in this file:" text box to the following file paths:
- %systemroot%\system32\imageres.dll - for a variety of Windows icons.
- %systemroot%\system32\shell32.dll - also for a variety of Windows icons.
- %systemroot%\system32\pifmgr.dll - for a variety of old Windows icons from Windows 95 and 98.
- %systemroot%\explorer.exe - for various files used by File Explorer.
- %systemroot%\system32\accessibilitycpl.dll - for a bunch of accessibility icons.
- %systemroot%\system32\ddores.dll - for a variety of hardware icons.
- %systemroot%\system32\ieframe.dll - for a bunch of files used by Internet Explorer.
- And many more. You can search online for other locations where you can find icons.^{[1]
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8
Click OK, and then OK again. This will apply the new icon. You will need to provide administrator permissions in order to apply the change.

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Warnings

Some programs may not launch after changing these shortcuts, do this at your own risk. If you created a restore point, then you will be able to revert the changes.

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After this, you won't be able to search for the program under its old name. So make sure to keep this in mind when you want to open it again.

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