How to change the system icons in OS X

by Ross McKillop on July 6, 2007

Mac

This brief tutorial will show you how to use LiteIcon, a free program that allows you to change your OS X System icons.

If you’re looking for some places to find free Mac icons, try Interfacelift, IconFactory, PixelGirl and a great big collection all rolled into one at Great Design.

  1. Start by downloading and installing LiteIcon. The installation is (like most Mac software) as simple as dragging LiteIcon.app from its dmg file to your Applications folder. Once installed, launch LiteIcon.
  2. liteicon for os x
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  3. The main LiteIcon interface will appear. Use the buttons/tabs at the top to see which icons can be changed with LiteIcon.
  4. liteicon for os x
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  5. When you find one that you want to replace, drag the icon file from a Finder window to its respective location in LiteIcon.
  6. liteicon for os x
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  7. Click the Apply button in LiteIcon. You’ll be prompted to enter your password.
  8. liteicon for os x

  9. Click the Relaunch Finder button in the upper right corner of LiteIcon. Your desktop icons and dock will momentarily disappear, and any open Finder windows will close. If the changes you made don’t appear right away, try logging out of OS X and then log back in (that’s what I had to do to change the Movies icon).
  10. liteicon for os x
    click to enlarge

  11. And your new icons will appear :)
  12. liteicon for os x

  13. If at any point you want to revert to the default system icons, open LiteIcon and select File -> Restore all icons….
  14. liteicon for os x

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