How to Customize Icons on USB – Guide

Do you want to know how customize icons in the USBIf you are a user of WindowsYou have probably noticed that all the USB keys that you connect to your computer appear with the same default icon, and with a name that is not always very explicit when used for the first time.

Therefore, when using multiple keys simultaneously, it is not always easy to clearly distinguish which icon corresponds to which device. This tutorial will teach you how to customize USB icons so that you can immediately recognize them when you plug them in, regardless of the PC used.

Prepare the image to customize icons on the USB

The image that will appear next to your USB drive must be an icon, i.e. a file with the ico extension. This means that you will not be able to use one of your personal images directly. Therefore, you have two options: take an existing icon or convert an image.

Here you can read about: Remove Blue Arrows From Windows 10 Icons

An icon ready to customize icons on the USB:

There are many sites that list free icons for download directly in ico format. For example: Icon archive , Free Icons! , Mr. Icons o Search icons Search engines are your friends to help you find the image you want.

However, with this method, you won't be able to use your personal images. You'll have to be content with fairly basic, pre-existing images.

Convert an image to customize icons on the USB:

This option is the most interesting, because it allows you to choose absolutely any image, regardless of its original format. In this tutorial, we will use the free software PhotoFiltreBut of course, you can choose any other image editor or converter, as long as the option exists and you know how to use it.

For this example we will take the image of a small clementine that normally should not be unknown to you…

1. Step 1:: So let's open the image with PhotoFiltre. If you want to edit it, crop it or make other modifications, now is the time!
2. Step 2:: When everything is ready, you can click on Tools and then in Export on the icon...

3. Step 3:: In the new window that appears, choose the largest possible size without the image becoming too blurry. Here, you can choose 256 x 256 (the maximum) because the dimensions of the original image maintain a good result.

4. Step 4:: Then click on Export and save your icon to the root of your USB key with a simple name (clem in this example).

You're done with the image! Now let's move on to the next step.

Display image to customize icons on USB

Now that your key has the icon, you need to make it appear.

1. Step 1:: To do this, open the Memo pad Windows and type these 3 lines:
   1. [auto run]
   2. ICON = name_of_your_icon ico
   3. LABEL = name of your USB key
2. Step 2:: So with my example I get this:

3. Step 3:: Then click on File and Then in Save as …
4. Step 4:: Go to the root of your USB key and indicate as type: All the files. In the name field, * txt
5. Step 5:: Then write autorun.inf and save it.

If you're not mistaken, the created file has an inf extension and its icon shows a small gear:

If the icon is for a regular text file, you have actually created a file called autorun.inf.txt and you have to start recording again, remembering to choose the type All the files before writing your name.

So now you have two files in the root of your USB key:

1. Your image (ico file)
2. An autorun inf file

You can unplug the key correctly. Plug it back in and this time admire the result.

It is now that we understand the interest of having chosen the maximum size for our icon before saving it! You can use any display mode, the icon always appears with the correct size. Even in the very large icons:

Not bad, right?

Here is another example:

Problems with customizing icons on USB

The process we just explained didn't work. Do you see an ugly icon instead of the image you chose? Or has nothing changed? What's wrong with the image you chose to customize icons on the USB? Here are the possible causes:

If the key name has changed, but the icon appears like this:

Then it means that the icon could not be found or there is a problem. Check that there is no error by writing the icon name in the autorun inf file and that it is located in the root of your USB key. It could also be that the conversion is not good. Try another image or software.

If nothing has changed:

Maybe autoplay is disabled on your computer. To check you should do the following:

1. Step 1:: Go to Home, then Control panel, then Hardware and sound
2. Step 2:: then Automatic playback, and finally marks the Use autoplay for all media and devices checkbox.

This box may be unchecked for security reasons, especially if it is not your personal PC. In this case, do not touch it. The USB drive will show up without customization on this computer, but will work on other PCs with the box checked.

Hide files when customizing icons on USB

In order for the image to always be displayed, both files must remain permanently in the root of the key. However, if there are also other elements, it is not very easy to navigate. The risk is then to accidentally move or delete our two files at the same time as others.

So I advise you to hide these files. They will still be on the key, but you will no longer be able to lose them by mistake or mishandling.

To do this follow these steps:

1. Step 1:: select them and with a right click choose Properties.
2. Step 2:: In the new window, check the box Hidden and then Accept.

They no longer appear in File Explorer.

You may also be interested in reading about: 5 Best Programs to Organize Desktop Icons in Windows 10

Put everything back the way it was

Do you want to find your USB key as it was without customization? Follow these steps:

1. Step 1:: If you have hidden the files, you must make them reappear by clicking on the top left of the window in Organize,after Folder and search option.
2. Step 2:: Go to the tab View and select Show hidden files, folders, and drives and after Accept.
3. Step 3:: Then you just need to delete the two files, then unplug and plug the key back in for the changes to take effect.

Conclusion

There you have it, this is how to customize icons on the USB. We hope you didn't encounter any particular difficulties. We recommend you to follow the steps in detail.