IconPackager

The Windows themes provided by Redmond-based software giant Microsoft provide a handy means of customizing the operating system’s looks. The thing is that themes only change a few icons or they don’t change the icons at all. StarDock’s IconPackager lets you extensively change the icons used by the operating system. The application puts multiple icon packages at your disposal, packages that will change most of the icons used by the Windows operating system.

A Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP-powered machine will have no problems running the IconPackager application. To get it up and running, you will have to download a 40.8MB executable, run it, and then follow the simple onscreen instructions presented by a setup wizard. It’s really a standard installation process that should not take much of your time.

On its interface, IconPackager’s functionality is grouped into three sections: Look & Feel (preview icon packages, change the color of icon packages, configure Live Folders), Icons & Cursors (change individual icons), and Settings (play with some options). Even a complete novice will not have any problems getting accustomed to this application’s interface as everything is nicely laid out and organized.

Using the IconPackager application is an incredibly simple matter. All you have to do is select an icon package (just a few are included by default, more are available for download), hit the “Apply changes” button, and wait for your desktop and taskbar to restart. Moments later your operating system’s icons will be updated; you will be presented with a new set of icons.

A licensed version of IconPackager lets you change the colors of icon packages and lets you configure which Live Folder icons to use. The trial version, which you can use for free for an evaluation period of 30 days, does not let you make these changes. Get a license to remove these limitations and to be able to use IconPackager once the evaluation period expires.

Extensively customize your operating system with the icon packs that IconPackager puts at your disposal.