Now for something not so simple, changing the desktop icons of "My Computer", "Network Neighbourhood", "Recycle Bin", "Inbox" and "Internet Explorer".
This requires manually changing the registry file. If you've never played with that before, don't even start. One wrong setting and you'll have to re-install Windows. So please do not continue with this unless you know what you're doing!
Even then, first make a back-up of your registry file in case something goes wrong.
Ok, here we go.
Go to Registry Editor. Don't know how to get there? Then you shouldn't be doing this in the first place. It's in c:\windows\regedit.exe.
All icon keys are under the following directory:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\
Look for the following keys:
My Computer: {20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}
Network Neighborhood: {208D2C60-3AEA-1069-A2D7-08002B30309D}
Recycle Bin: {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}
Inbox or Outlook: {00020D75-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}
Internet Explorer: {FBF23B42-E3F0-101B-8488-00AA003E56F8}
Once you have found the key, click on the "+" sign in front of it to open the directory. Click on Default Icon.
On the right side of the screen, you'll see AB (Default) and a path. Double-click to edit.
Enter the path of the icon or icon lib that you want to use. If you're using an icon, type "(path),0". If you're using a lib, type "(path),x" where the x stands for any number. The first icon is the lib is 0, the second 1, the third one 2, etc.
For recycle bin, you'll find three default settings, where the first (Default) should have the same value as Full.
I haven't figured out yet how to change the icons for directory folders on your desktop without affecting the appearance of the folders in Explorer. If anyone has any tips regarding this, please mail me.