When it comes to creating professional XP style icons there are many aspects that need to be taken into consideration. Right from icon design overview to conceptualization to adding color depth and illuminating effects, professional icon creation is a strenuous process involving many processes and quality control checks.
The Icon Archive is a collection of desktop icon sets from various authors of over 12,500 high quality icons for Windows, Macintosh and Linux Systems. Windows Vista / Windows XP / Mac OS X / Linux PNG Icons are supported as well as classic icons. Non-commerical icon usage is allowed in most cases.
Aqua Value Icon Pack contains 90 high quality (256×256 pixels) icons; PNG and ICO formats. This package includes: My Computer Icon, My Pictures Icon, Graphic Applications Icon, CD Icon and Trash Icons.
Includes: 90 icons
File Types: .ico, .png
Icon Sizes: 256×256, 128×128, 16×16, 32×32, 48×48
Pack Size: 19.7MB
AIRicons pack contains 23 high quality (256×256 pixels) icons; PNG and ICO formats. This package includes: Folder icons, recycle bin icons and special icons.
Includes: 23 icons
File Types: .ico, .png
Icon Sizes: 256×256, 128×128, 16×16, 32×32, 48×48
Pack Size: 1.82MB
1. Download the icons (if already downloaded skip to 2).
2. Once downloaded extract the icons (if compressed in a zip/rar file otherwise go on to 3) using a decompression utility such as Winzip or Winrar. Extract the icons to a directory such as “c:windowsicons” or any directory you wish.
3. Next, locate the folder or shortcut who’s icon you wish to change. Right click on this folder/shortcut and select “Properties” in the menu that appears.
4. Wait for the Properties dialog window to open. Depending on whether you are changing a folder or shortcut icon follow the correct instructions below:
Changing folder icon:
5a. In the Properties dialog window select the “Customize” tab at the top. When this tab opens click “Change Icon…”.
6a. A new dialog window will appear. Click “Browse” at the top and navigate to where you extracted the icons.
7a. Select the icon you wish to use and select “OK”. This will return you to the Properties dialog window here click “OK” again.
8a. You will be returned to My Computer/Windows Explorer/Desktop you started from with a shiney new icon instead of your old boring folder icon.
Changing shortcut icon:
5b. In the Properties dialog window ensure the “Shortcut” tab at the top is selected. In this tab click “Change Icon…”.
6b. A new dialog window will appear. Click “Browse” at the top and navigate to where you extracted the icons.
7b. Select the icon you wish to use and select “OK”. This will return you to the Properties dialog window here click “OK” again.
8b. You will be returned to My Computer/Windows Explorer/Desktop you started from with a shiney new icon instead of your old boring shortcut icon.
Try it out by download Vista Folders 3 Icon Set
VISTA Style Icons pack contains 41 high quality (256×256 pixels) icons; PNG and ICO formats. This package includes: CD Drive icon, Hard Drive icon, Digital Camera icon, DVD Camera icon, DVD Drive icon, Headphones icon, iPod icon, Modem icon, PSP icon, PS3 icon, Printer icon and more.
Includes: 41 icons
File Types: .ico, .png
Icon Sizes: 256×256, 128×128, 16×16, 32×32, 48×48
Pack Size: 2.84MB
IcoFX is an award winning freeware icon editor. It is an all-in-one solution for icon creation, extraction and editing. It is designed to work with Windows XP and Windows Vista icons supporting transparency.
With a wealth of tools and more than 40 effects at your fingertips, there’s virtually no limit to the icons you can create. You can convert your favorite images into icons, or icons into images. With IcoFX you can extract icons from other files, including Windows Vista files. You can easily work with multiple files using the batch processing capability of IcoFX.
VISTA Alarm Icons pack contains 15 high quality (256×256 pixels) icons; PNG and ICO formats. This package includes: Accessibility icon, Error icon, Help and Support icon, Warning icon, Windows Security icon, Question Shield icon, Info Shield icon and more.
Icons for your mp3 players like iPod Nano, Shuffle & Video, Zune MP3 player, Creative Zen MP3 player.
Free Windows Vista/XP themes, icons, screensavers and wallpapers available to give your pc the most unique look available. We pick only the best resouces in each category for inclusion. If you have any comments or suggestions, feel free to email me.
