How to Change Folder Color in Windows 11

Customising the appearance of your folders can be a great way to improve productivity, organise your workspace, and personalise your system. While Windows 11 does not natively support folder colour changes, there are easy workarounds using third-party tools and some simple tricks to visually differentiate your folders.

In this article, we’ll walk you through step-by-step instructions on how to change folder colours in Windows 11 and enhance your desktop experience.

Why Change Folder Colours in Windows 11?

• Improved Visual Organisation: Colour coding folders helps you instantly recognise important directories.
• Boost Productivity: Spend less time hunting for files by categorising folders by type, priority, or project.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Make your desktop or file explorer look more visually appealing and less monotonous.

Method 1: Using Folder Customisation Software

Since Windows doesn’t include built-in options for folder colour changes, many users turn to third-party software. These programs are designed to modify folder icons with a variety of colour themes and styles.

Steps to Change Folder Colours:

1. Download and Install a Folder Customisation Tool
   Choose a reputable folder colour changer that is compatible with Windows 11.
   

• Rainbow Folders is a lightweight program that allows you to change the folder color in a few easy steps. You can also adjust the color for selected folders with Hue and Saturation bars. Here’s what you need to do.
• CustomFolder Download is another best tool that can be used to customize the colors and icons of your Windows 11 folders. Here’s how to use CustomFolder on Windows 11.

1. Launch the Application
   Once installed, open the program and navigate to its interface.
2. Select a Folder
   Use the program’s file browser or drag-and-drop feature to choose the folder you wish to recolour.
3. Pick a Colour or Icon Style
   Most tools offer a palette of colours or even themed icons. Select the colour you want for your folder.
4. Apply Changes
   Click “Apply” or “Change Icon” to update the folder’s appearance.
5. Refresh File Explorer (if needed)
   Sometimes you may need to close and reopen File Explorer to see the changes take effect.

Method 2: Manual Folder Icon Change

If you prefer not to use third-party apps, you can change the folder icon manually using Windows’ built-in tools. While this doesn’t allow you to pick a specific colour, you can assign a coloured icon image that achieves a similar visual cue.

Steps to Manually Change Folder Icon:

1. Right-click on the Folder
   Choose “Properties” from the context menu.

2. Go to the “Customise” Tab
   In the folder properties window, switch to the Customise tab.
3. Click “Change Icon”
   This opens the icon selection dialogue.

4. Browse or Choose an Icon
   Windows includes a variety of default icons, or you can download and use custom-coloured icons saved in .ico format.
5. Click “OK” and Then “Apply”
   Your folder will now display the selected icon.

Tips for Effective Folder Colour Use

• Use red for urgent folders.
• Choose green for completed projects.
• Apply blue for personal files.
• Use yellow for default or general-use folders.

Creating a colour-coding system that aligns with your workflow can significantly improve the way you interact with your files.

Limitations to Keep in Mind

• Windows 11 does not natively support colour changes like macOS.
• Manual changes require custom icons in .ico format.
• Third-party tools may occasionally require updates for compatibility with newer builds of Windows.

Conclusion

Changing folder colours in Windows 11 can bring both functional and aesthetic improvements to your desktop environment. Whether you opt for third-party software or take the manual route, a splash of colour can make a big difference in how you navigate and organise your digital workspace.

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