Can You Change the VLC Icon on Windows?

You can easily change the shortcut icon for VLC Media Player on your Windows desktop using the built-in system properties. While you cannot directly alter the hardcoded icon embedded inside the actual executable file (vlc.exe) without using advanced third-party resource editing tools, changing the desktop shortcut icon achieves the exact same visual result. This article provides a quick, step-by-step guide on how to swap the classic orange cone for a custom icon using standard Windows features.

Step-by-Step Guide to Changing the VLC Icon

To change the appearance of the VLC shortcut on your desktop, follow these steps:

1. Locate the VLC Shortcut: Find the VLC Media Player icon on your desktop. If you don’t have one, find VLC in your Start Menu, right-click it, select Open file location, and then right-click the VLC file and choose Send to > Desktop (create shortcut).
2. Open Properties: Right-click the desktop VLC shortcut and select Properties from the context menu.
3. Navigate to Change Icon: In the window that appears, ensure you are on the Shortcut tab, then click the Change Icon… button near the bottom.
4. Select a New Icon: A new window will open displaying alternative icons available within the program. If you want to use a custom image, click Browse… and navigate to the location of your preferred .ico file.
5. Apply the Changes: Select the new icon, click OK, and then click Apply and OK in the main properties window.

Requirements for Custom Icons

If you decide to use a custom image instead of the alternative options provided by Windows or VLC, keep the following requirements in mind:

• File Format: The image must be in the .ico format. Standard PNG or JPEG images will not work directly.
• Conversion: You can convert any standard image into an icon file using free online image-to-ico converters.
• File Location: Once you apply a custom icon, do not move or delete the .ico file from your computer. If the file is moved, Windows will lose the file path and revert the shortcut back to a blank or default icon.