Changing the Start Icon for Windows 7. Changing the Look of the Windows Start Button

To make the inside of Windows 7 more original, you can change not only the theme and design, but also the icons of standard folders, recycle bin, start, and files. The easiest way is to take advantage of the capabilities of the system itself, but if you wish, you can install programs and unique icons from the Internet.

How to change the start icon on Windows 7?

For the sake of variety, sometimes you want to change the start icon in Windows, because seeing the standard image every day is boring. How to do it for the seven?

To change the start button, use the Windows 7 Start Button Changer program. It can be downloaded for free.

The easiest option

If you have downloaded the program to your computer, then just run it. But be sure to do it as an administrator. And then it will be enough to choose the icon you like, replace it and enjoy the new button.

If everything worked out for you, you can stop there. However, sometimes there are difficulties, so it will take a little more steps and work with a file called explorer.exe.

Option to change the explorer.exe file

Go to the system drive C. Find the Windows folder, open it and find the file we need there. It will be called explorer.exe.

The utility does not need to be installed on the computer. Included on behalf of the administrator and all the cases. Immediately I advise you to open the settings (by clicking on the arrow at the bottom right with the cursor) and check the boxes like this:

Change By Patching Memory - Change by patching memory
Change By Editing Resources - Change by editing resources
Add Shortcut In context menu- Add shortcut to context menu
Add Option In Context Menu - Add an item to the context menu
Don't Show Success Messages - Do not show success messages
Always Show Advanced Mode - Always show Advanced Mode
Show Progress While Changing - Show progress while changing

This will enable us to launch the program from the desktop context menu in the future. Press the "Change" button and select the desired image in the explorer. my big set of buttons. Or download buttons. The "fry" program will think and automatically do its insidious work.

We return the default Start button by clicking on "Restore" and for many shortcuts and the taskbar disappear. In business 🙂. But it's easy to fix. We press the key combination Alt + Ctrl + Delete and in the Task Manager we activate "File" - New task (Run ...) - we write explorer - Ok.

A little harder is the manual mode using a program like.
The image of the Start button is located in the Explorer.exe file in the BITMAP (Bitmap) section. Resources from 6801 to 6812. The most important thing is to get full access and file permissions.
1. And so, while in C: Windows, right-click on the explorer.exe file and select Properties - Security - Advanced
2. Next Owner - Change, select either the name of your account or the admin and click Apply, then OK and OK again.
3. Now select "Permissions" select the entry to which we have given the owner's rights and click Change permissions again select the entry to which we have given the owner's rights and click Change, put all the checkboxes and click OK then Apply, a window will appear click Yes and now OK again and in other windows OK.
4. Open the explorer.exe file in the Restaurator (Restorator 2007) and change the above resources.
5. Save the edited file, rename it, for example, to Explorer 2.exe
6. Next, carefully watch the video 🙂 the one just below the text.
7. Reasons for which there may be problems: Make sure that the programs were launched on behalf of the Administrator. Not worth the NET Framework. Explorer.exe is not owned by the user, but by TrustedInstaller. Check if the Themes and Desktop Window Manager Session Manager services are running: Start - Control Panel - Administrative Tools - Services, also the startup type should be Automatic. Try temporarily disabling "User Account Control" (UAC for short).

During the creation of the video, they advised such a program as. But this is for an amateur and for self-study. And so I advise everyone to experiment, but not to swim behind the buoys 🙂 .

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2013-01-30 | Published under: Windows 7 no comments

Hello Dear friends! In this short article, I want to show you how from standard to different. The article is certainly not large, but I think it will be interesting for everyone to embellish their own a little windows button 7.To change the Start Menu button, we need the Windows 7 Start Button Changer program. Download this program with pictures and with buttons it won’t be any work on the Internet there is everything. The program does not require installation and is very easy to use, there is nothing complicated in it.

In order for you to be able to change the menu button start windows 7 do the following. Open "My Computer --> open drive "C" --> open Windows folder--> and find folder explorer". Right-click on the "Explorer" folder and select the "Properties" tab. A window will appear where you need to select "Security"

In this window, select the "Administrators" tab and click the "Edit" button.

In the "Permissions for the "explorer" group" window, select the "Administrators" tab and check the "Allow" box, click the "Apply" button.

A window like this will appear, just click "Yes" and in all windows "OK".


Run the program "Windows 7 Start Button Changer" and click on the tab as shown in the screenshot and just choose the picture you like best, I chose a smiley, when you hover over the smiley with the mouse, it will open its mouth.

If you want to return everything back, then run the program and click on the bottom tab as shown in the screenshot.


Well, that's it, it's that simple. Good luck to all! See you on the pages of the site.

Many computer users running the Windows 7 operating system are faced with a situation where the standard shape of the Start button and the appearance of the Taskbar change, and the screen colors become pale and “unappetizing”. Some users do not pay attention to this, and some are so annoying that they are ready to reinstall the operating system. And, in general, it is not difficult to eliminate this problem, and now we will consider methods for solving it.

The standard view of the "Start" button after installing the Windows 7 operating system on a computer is shown in Fig. 1 (see Fig. 1). There you can also see the changed appearance of the button (see 2 Fig. 1). Reasons for change appearance There can be several Start buttons in Windows 7, the main ones being changing the speed settings of the computer and the appearance of problems with the display of Aero desktop effects. Both of these causes are eliminated within 2-3 minutes.

Changes to computer speed settings

Computer performance in operating rooms Windows systems- a configurable parameter, and it is configured from the "System Properties" window on the "Advanced" tab. To open this window, press the “Start” button (see 1 or 2 Fig. 1) and in the appeared window of the “Start” button menu (see Fig. 2) right-click on the “Computer” button (see 1 Fig. 1). 2). In the context menu that appears (see 2 Fig. 2) select the "Properties" item (see 3 Fig. 2).

In the new window "System" (see Fig. 3) select "Advanced system settings" (see 1 Fig. 3). After that, you will see the "System Properties" window, which must be opened on the "Advanced" tab (see 1 Fig. 4).


In the "System Properties" window, on the "Advanced" tab (see 1 Fig. 4), select the "Performance" section (see 2 Fig. 4). In this section, click the "Parameters" button (see 3 Fig. 4). After that, you will see a new window "Performance Options" (see Fig. 5).

In the window Fig.5, check the performance settings on the tab "visual effects" (see 1 Fig.5). If you have selected the “Ensure the best performance” option (see 2 Fig. 5), then the Start button should be reflected in the form of a rectangle (see 2 Fig. 1), and the taskbar should be pale (see 4 Fig. 1) . In all other cases (“Ensure best view»; "Restore Defaults"), the Start button should look like a circle (see 1 Fig. 1), and the Taskbar should be dark (see 3 Fig. 1). In addition, it should be remembered that the setting of visual effects depends on the presence of checkmarks in the corresponding check-boxes (see 3 Fig. 5). If you select the “Ensure the best view” setting option, all checkboxes will automatically have checkmarks. If you select the “Ensure the best performance” setting, all checkboxes will be automatically unchecked. Therefore, if you have a computer of average performance, then it is better to select the “Restore Defaults” setting mode, or (like mine) “Special Effects”.

If you do not have the "Ensure the best performance" performance setting mode set, and the "Start" button looks like a rectangle (see 2 Fig. 1), then you have problems displaying Aero desktop effects on your computer.

Troubleshooting desktop effects display issuesAero

Open the Troubleshoot PC module. This can be done in several ways, two of which I will give you.

1st way:

On the "Taskbar" in the notification area, click the "Repair PC problems" button (see 5 Fig. 1). A menu will appear above the button (see 6 Fig.1). In this menu, select the "Open support center" item (see 7 Fig. 1).


After that, the "Support Center" window will open in front of you (see Fig. 6). Here you need to select the "Troubleshooting" button (see 1 Fig.6).


In the new Troubleshooting window (see Figure 7), select Aero Desktop Effects Display (see Figure 1).


In the next Aero window, diagnose and fix problems with Aero by clicking the Next button (see 1 Fig.8). After the system restores itself, problems with the display of the Start button will disappear.

2nd way:

In the "Start" button menu, in the "Search programs and files" field (see 4 Fig. 2), enter the phrase "troubleshooting". After that, the first item in the search result will be a link to launch the Troubleshooting module (not shown), by clicking on which you will open the Fig.7 window. Then proceed as described above.

There are other ways to run the Troubleshooter module, but there is no point in listing them. It should only be remembered that it (the "Troubleshooting" module) is one of the many elements of the "Control Panel" operating systems Windows family.

Itsenko Alexander Ivanovich

The Start button image is located in the Explorer.exe file in the BITMAP (Bitmap) section. Resources from 6801 to 6812. (to change, you need exactly: 6801, 6805, 6809)

one . We get full access and rights to the file

one . Disable parental control if not done.
2. And so, being in C: Windows, right-click on the explorer.exe file and select the item Properties ---> Security ---> Advanced
3 . Further Owner ---> Change, select either the name of your account or admin click Apply then OK and OK again.
four . Now select Permissions, select the entry to which we have given owner rights and click Change permissions again select the entry to which we have given the owner rights and click Change, put all the checkboxes and click OK then Apply, a window will appear, click Yes and now again OK and in the remaining windows OK.
You can get permissions using

2. Open it in the Restaurateur () and change the three resources above
3 . Save the edited file, rename it, for example, to Explorer 2.exe
four . Through the Task Manager, close the Explorer (explorer.exe process).
5 . Task Manager > New Task, go to C:/Windows folder, find Explorer.exe and make a copy of it(you can just rename it to Explorerold.exe, in which case you can return everything to its place)
6. Rename Explorer 2.exe to Explorer.exe and run it
7. Everything

Automatic start button replacement

To begin with, we perform the first paragraph of the article, which is a little higher (We get full access and rights to the file)
one . Download the program (Read the note below).
2. Run it and press the button "Change Orb"
3 . Choosing already ready button in bmp, jpg, gif or png format and press the "start Explorer" button

Note: If using the "Windows 7 Start Orb Changer" program, you were unable to install the button, and instead you see a void - use the program

In Windows, you can change the look, themes, desktop background, splash screens, and shortcuts. But change the design of the start button through standard settings it is forbidden. It displays the Win logo by default. And what if you want to see a different image on the main menu? The only option is to use third party programs, since the OS itself does not provide the necessary tools. Figure out how to change the Start button in Windows 7, which utilities are suitable for this, and how to use them.

The picture of the main menu is tied to the system service "Explorer.exe" (do not confuse it with the name of the browser). The new icon should not affect Win. But still this is a change in OS files. And it's better to create a restore point. If something goes wrong, you can return the settings that were before installing the icon.

  • Click the "Start" button.
  • Go to "Control Panel".
  • Menu "System" in the category "System and Personalization".
  • Item "Additional options". He's right.
  • System Protection tab.
  • Create button.

Click on Create

  • Give the restore point a name.
  • Wait while the current Windows configuration is saved. In the future, you can return to it if critical errors occur.
  • To make a backup, click the "Restore" button. It's in the System Protection menu. All available points will be there.

Administrator rights

To change the main menu icon, you need full access to "Explorer.exe". This is the service responsible for the conductor. The file is located in the root directory of the system C:/Windows/. You need administrator rights to edit it.

  • Go to this folder.
  • Find "Explorer" and right click on it.
  • Item "Properties".
  • Section "Security".
  • Click the Change button.

  • In the "Permissions for the System group" field, set the value to "Full control".
  • Click "Apply".

You can also open administrative access to the file using the Takeownershipex program. Find it online, download, install and run. There will be two buttons: "Get Access" and "Restore Access". Click on the first one and specify the path to "Explorer".

Make a backup copy of this file just in case. Just copy it anywhere. If anything, you can change the edited version to the original.

Where to find icons?

It's better not to put the first art you like from your gallery on the "Start" button. Use images specially designed for this. They are already edited, have the appropriate format and size. They also set the correct placement of objects. Suitable images can be downloaded from 7themes or oformlenie-windows.ru. Although there are a lot of resources with free icons.

Possible appearance of the Start button

The icon file must have the .bmp extension (no background). Make sure that it has three options for icons: for the "normal" button, selected and pressed. Try hovering over the main menu. And you will see that it changes depending on what is done with it. Although no one forbids putting one picture for all "states".

Start Button Changer is a utility through which you can load a new image for the main menu. It has a very simple interface. There are only two functions: installing an icon and resetting to the original settings. Only suitable for Win 7. The name of the program translates something like this: "Start Button Converter." Here's how to use it:

  • Find it online and download it. Just enter the query "Windows 7 Start Button Changer" in the search engine and select any site. It is better to download from resources that are on the first page in the search results.
  • If the utility is in the archive, unpack it.
  • There must be executable file with .EXE extension.
  • Click on it with the right mouse button.
  • Item "On behalf of the administrator".

Start Button Changer window

  • To change icons, press the "Select & Change" button.
  • Specify the path to the icons.
  • Click on "Open".
  • To restore the original settings, there is an option "Restore Original".

Start Orb Changer for Windows 7

Here's how to change the Windows 7 Start icon in Start Orb Changer

  • Find it online and download it.
  • Unpack if it is in the archive.
  • Run it as administrator.

  • There will be three icon samples: "Default" (not active), "Hover" (when selected - you need to move the cursor) and "Pressed" (pressed).
  • To change them, click on "Change".
  • Specify the path to the graphic file.
  • The "Restore" button resets the settings and returns the standard icon.

The application has advanced options. To open them, click on the small gray arrow on the bottom right. Only two points are important.

  • By Patching Memory. RAM is used to change the main menu.
  • Be Editing Resources. Edited by "Eexe".

Classic Shell

Utility Classic Shell suitable for Windows 8 and 10. This is a massive start menu customization program. But now we only need icons in it.

  • Download it from classicshell.net. There is a tab "ALL DOWNLOADS".
  • Run the installation. To work with the design of the main menu, the Classic Shell Start Menu component is used. You can't download the rest.

  • Open the app.
  • On the Menu Style tab, select the All Options option and click OK.
  • You need classic Win style
  • Check the "Change button image" checkbox.
  • Check "Other".
  • "Select image".
  • Show the path to it.

If "Start" is missing

If, after installing the icon, the menu bar and all shortcuts on the desktop disappeared, you must restart the explorer.

  1. Launch Task Manager. To do this, use the keys Ctrl+Shift+Esc.
  2. Go to File - New Task.
  3. In the input field that opens, write "explorer.exe" without quotes.
  4. Click OK.

The start button cannot be changed through personalization settings. And in other parameters of Win there is no such possibility. To put a new icon, you need third-party programs. They edit system file"Explorer.exe", to which the icons are attached.

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