How to Permanently Change the Chromium Taskbar Icon and Name in Windows 11

Modifying the taskbar icon and application name for Chromium in Windows 11 can greatly enhance your user experience. Whether you’re using a modified build or simply want a personalized touch, this guide provides step-by-step instructions for achieving a polished appearance. This process involves using resource editing tools, creating shortcuts, and for developers, editing application manifests to ensure your modifications are permanent.

Step 1: Prepare the New Icon

To start, create a new icon file in .ico format. The recommended dimensions for optimal display are 256×256 pixels. This icon will replace the default Chromium icon in your taskbar and Start menu, making it essential for establishing your custom branding.

Step 2: Install a Resource Editor

Next, download and install a resource editing tool, such as Resource Hacker or IconsExtract. These applications enable you to directly modify the resources embedded within the Chromium executable (chrome.exe or the primary .exe file for your modified build).

Step 3: Open the Executable

With the resource editor installed, open your Chromium executable. Navigate to the Icon Group or ICON resource section, where you’ll find the embedded application icons. Replace all icon sizes with the new icon file to ensure consistency across Windows UI elements.

Step 4: Save the Modifications

After replacing the icons, save the modified executable. Resource editors will often create a backup of the original file, but it’s wise to manually back it up as well before saving changes. This extra step protects against accidental corruption.

Step 5: Edit the Application Name

To change the application name, proceed to edit the Version Info resource in the same executable. Look for entries such as ProductName, FileDescription, and InternalName. Update these strings to reflect your desired application name. With this change, your new name will appear in the taskbar, Start menu, and application switcher.

Step 6: Confirm Changes

Once you’ve made all modifications, save and exit the resource editor. Launch your modified Chromium build to ensure that both the icon and name appear correctly in the taskbar and window title. If the old icon still shows up, you may need to clear the icon cache.

Step 7: Clear the Icon Cache

To force Windows to display your new icon, clear the icon cache. Open Command Prompt as an Administrator and run the following commands one by one:

1cd /d %userprofile%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer
2del iconcache*
3shutdown /r /f /t 00

These commands will delete the icon cache files and restart your computer, prompting Windows to load the updated icons for your modified Chromium build.

Updating Shortcuts and Pinning the New Icon to the Taskbar

If you prefer not to modify the executable directly, you can create a shortcut with the custom icon.

Step 1: Create a Shortcut

Right-click the executable for your Chromium build and select “Create shortcut”.

Step 2: Change Icon in Shortcut Properties

Right-click on the new shortcut, select Properties, and then click Change Icon. Browse for your custom .ico file and select it.

Step 3: Rename the Shortcut

In the same Properties window, update the Name field under the General tab to your desired application name. This changes how the shortcut appears in the Start menu and on the desktop.

Step 4: Pin the Shortcut to Taskbar

Pin your customized shortcut to the taskbar by right-clicking it and selecting “Pin to taskbar”. Your taskbar will now showcase the new icon and name, although note that this method does not alter the actual executable.

Step 5: Clear Old Icons

If the old icon persists, unpin any previous Chromium shortcuts, clear the icon cache as described earlier, and then pin the updated shortcut again to finalize the changes.

Advanced Modifications for Developers: Use of Application Manifest and Branding Files

For developers building Chromium from source, modifying the application manifest and branding files is essential.

Step 1: Update Manifest and Branding Files

Before compiling, edit the application manifest and branding files. Update the icon resources and product name in the relevant resource files (chrome/app/theme and chrome/app/chrome_exe.rc).

Step 2: Replace Icon Files

Replace the default icon files with your custom icons across all required sizes (16×16, 32×32, 48×48, 256×256). Ensure you update string definitions for the application name throughout the branding and manifest files.

Step 3: Rebuild Your Version of Chromium

After completing the updates, rebuild your Chromium project. The resulting executable will include your custom icon and name, making these changes persistent throughout updates and installations.

Step 4: Confirm Branding

Upon installation, verify that the new icon and name are displayed in the taskbar, Start menu, and window titles. If you share your build, all users will see your custom branding by default.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can successfully change the taskbar icon and name for your Chromium build in Windows 11. Whether through resource editing, shortcut creation, or source building, these modifications can make your application feel more personal and professional. Enjoy your customized Chromium experience, tailored to your preferences!