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firefox & mozilla icon packs

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Frequently Asked Questions

I can't install an icon pack! What should I check for first of all?

Extension iconTo protect your computer, Firefox prevented this site (iconpacks.mozdev.org) from installing software on your computer.
Edit Options Button

If you get this message displayed at the top of your Firefox browser whilst installing an icon pack, click on Edit Options... , Allow and then Close so that you can install icon packs from this website. Then click on the install link again to install your icon pack. If you're still having problems, see this question.

Integrating Firefox fully with Windows: Please see this tutorial.

What is an icon pack?

An icon pack allows you to change Mozilla, Firefox or ThunderBird's window icon.

But how does it work exactly?

Here's how it works: each Firefox/Mozilla window has a name, called its ID. If you drop an icon into Firefox/Mozilla's chrome/icons/default/ folder with the same name as the window, (for example 'chatzilla-window.ico' for ChatZilla) that window picks up the icon the next time it is started. Firefox/Mozilla Icon Packs is therefore a resource for complete icon sets that let you customize the look of your Mozilla titlebars.

How do I install an icon pack then?

Click on 'Icon Packs' on the left of this page. You'll get a list of all available icon packs. Click on the one that interests you for more details. Then click on either 'Install for Windows' or 'Install for Linux' depending on the platform you're using. Please note that not all icon packs are available for all platforms.

Which platforms are supported?

Most Icon Packs are at the moment for SeaMonkey/Mozilla Suite, Firefox and ThunderBird on Windows or Linux.

So far I haven't received any icon packs for Apple Macs. So if you've created one, then please send it in - or if you'd like to see some around, download an icon pack and convert the icon files inside it so that they work on Macintosh.

The Linux icon packs should work on all Unix systems running KDE or GNOME or a compatible desktop environment.

Is Netscape supported?

Netscape 6 and above are based on Mozilla (and now Firefox), so icon packs should work on these browsers. However, considering that Netscape 8 optionally uses Internet Explorer to render web pages, we do not recommend that you use this browser, because of security issues. Furthermore, you may not be able to install icon packs from this site whilst using the Internet Explorer rendering engine in Netscape 8. So in short, yes it is supported, but use Firefox instead!

What about Firefox-based browsers like Flock?

Icon packs will work with Flock and should work on any other browsers based on Firefox.

How many icon packs can I have installed?

Unlike themes, you can only have one icon pack installed at a time. Installing a new icon pack overwrites a previously installed one. Therefore, you could consider this site as a kind of 'icon pack switcher' as well - just install your previous icon pack again if you don't like the one you've just installed.

I hate the icon pack that I just downloaded. How can I get the default icons back?

Go to the Iconpack Uninstaller/Restorer page or click on the 'Uninstall' link at the top of each page on this site.

I want to create an icon pack. Where do I start?

Check out the tutorial. Then see the next question below for what to do after that.

I've made a brilliant icon pack. How do I get it on here?

See the Submissions page.

I want to convert icons. Is there a good converter?

You can use icon software such as Iconomaker or The GIMP.

I'm having trouble installing an icon pack. What should I do??

After checking the very first question at the top of this page, check this nice checklist:

IMPORTANT: The most likely reason is that the icon pack isn't on the mirror yet...or we've made a mistake and put in a broken link, in which case you should see this below about contacting us.

Why does this website use software installations?

Software installations, or 'XPI' is Mozilla/Firefox's installation method of installing the icon pack. When the package is downloaded, all the icons inside it are extracted to <Mozillaorfirefoxinstalllocation>/chrome/icons/default .

You can view all the files inside an XPI package by downloading the iconpack's XPI file from http://download.mozdev.org/iconpacks/ and then opening it with an ordinary compression utility such as WinZip, ZipCentral, WinRAR, Ark, unzip etc. etc.

All the icons on here seem to be icons for the Mozilla/Firefox window. Are there any icons that I can use for my desktop?

When you install an icon pack, it gets installed in the chrome/icons/default folder in your Mozilla/Firefox installation folder (eg. C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\chrome\icons\default). If you go into this folder, you will find all the *.ico or *.xpm files, which you can use as your desktop icons. Alternatively, right-click the install link of the icon pack you want, and choose 'Save Link As' to download the XPI file of the iconpack that you want, then open it with software such as WinZip, WinRAR, ZipCentral, Ark or some compression utility. The icon files will be found in it.

Please also see the Windows integration tutorial which will enlighten you on this matter.

How can I change the system tray icon of Mozilla when 'Quick Launch' is enabled?

Apparantely some people have had success with this by using Resource Hacker. Download it, fire it up, open the mozilla.exe or firefox.exe executable, then in there somewhere there should be a setting to change the icon. Please note however, that I have never tested this and so cannot guarantee that it will work. If it doesn't, you may also have to reinstall Mozilla.

Please also see the Windows integration tutorial which mentions Resource Hacker.

My Start Menu icons don't change?

Please see the Windows integration tutorial.

I'd like to make a comment/give feedback/help. How?

At the bottom of most pages on this site, there is a notes form. This lets you add notes. Alternatively, check the Mailing list page.

Please also check the to-do page.

When I install my icon pack, I just see a black square?

This seems to be a problem Windows 98 users are having, perhaps something to do with the number of colours in the icon or something. A fix is now available for the FireFox crystal ball icons (this seemed to be the icon pack having all the trouble). Simply choose the Windows 98 icons to install instead on that page.

When I install Firefox, I don't get an icon, I just get the horrible Windows logo.

This is a bug, for which we provide a fix - You must use our Iconpack Restorer (which will also work with any other OS by the way), available from here.

A credit is incorrect!

Please let us know => iconpacksNOSPAM@googlemail.com . We will fix it immediately. Please note our previous e-mail address wasn't working. We'll always reply, so if you haven't heard, please send again.

Something is really badly wrong on here!

Humiliate us - use our feedback page, and not only will your comment be sent to us, but the entire world will also get to know about our fatal flaw.

Or you could drop us an e-mail => iconpacksNOSPAM@googlemail.com ... (Please note our previous e-mail address wasn't working. We'll always reply, so if you haven't heard, please send again.)

I can't see my question here! What do I do?

Enter your feedback on the F.A.Q. at the bottom of this page. Any questions that need answering will be added here.

Have fun!

User Notes: [?]

If you do not get a response to a question posted in this forum, please try sending a message to the project's mailing list or to the project owner directly.

[1] Submitted by: xp on Thursday 9th December 2004 at 01:27 -0500

i'm using windows XP...when i open the chrome/icons/default folder there are 2 icons and both of the file types showed as unknown when i clicked properties. How do i set it as my desktop icon?

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.7.5) Gecko/20041107 Firefox/1.0
[2] Submitted by: - on Thursday 9th December 2004 at 14:07 -0500

re: comment #1

right-click the shortcut on your desktop, properties, change icon, browse, and locate the icon file in chrome/icons/default

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.7.5) Gecko/20041107 Firefox/1.0
[3] Submitted by: xp on Sunday 12th December 2004 at 01:29 -0500

thanx a lot! These icons are great!

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.7.5) Gecko/20041107 Firefox/1.0
[4] Submitted by: Grey on Wednesday 26th January 2005 at 14:36 -0500

I'm running Firefox on Win98, and one of the major bugs with it is that it comes with NO icon set. Just as a suggestion, maybe posting the default icon set on here for those Win98 users who are trying to do some debugging or are looking go to back to the defaults just as a change of pace from specialty packs?

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Win98; en-US; rv:1.7.5) Gecko/20041107 Firefox/1.0
[5] Submitted by: Surinder Singh on Thursday 27th January 2005 at 06:37 -0500

Firefox Experimental Icons are not identified as icons by Windows 2000 while they are identified and displayed properly in Windows XP. How can I install and display these icons under Windows 2000.

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.7.5) Gecko/20041107 Firefox/1.0
[6] Submitted by: CreeperX™ on Monday 31st January 2005 at 09:05 -0500

Hmmmm, how do I reset the icons back to standard ???

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.7.5) Gecko/20041107 Firefox/1.0
[7] Submitted by: - on Monday 31st January 2005 at 13:59 -0500

re: comment #6 - see "I hate the icon pack that I just downloaded. How can I get the default icons back?"

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.8b) Gecko/20050126 Firefox/1.0+
[8] Submitted by: cuteasian on Saturday 23rd April 2005 at 23:50 -0400

i just finished installing my icon pack but theres no effect,how can i change the icons in my browser?

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.7.7) Gecko/20050414
[9] Submitted by: - on Sunday 24th April 2005 at 13:43 -0400

any new window should have the new icons.

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.7.7) Gecko/20050414 Firefox/1.0.3
[10] Submitted by: robinpc on Sunday 29th May 2005 at 05:34 -0400

Hah! I just noticed that the firefox history sidebar has as its closing icon the win XP 'x' (red) rather than the win 2000 'x' -- in other words it doesnt just pick up the system default there. Was otherwise impressed with the integration with system.

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.0; en-GB; rv:1.7.8) Gecko/20050511 Firefox/1.0.4
[11] Submitted by: pachanka on Thursday 22nd September 2005 at 10:12 -0400

ware in this page can I find original source icons, NOT xpi downloads... just the ico's or xpm's.

I might of missed it, But it would be a good FAQ entry.
Cheers!

Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux i686; en-US; rv:1.7.10) Gecko/20050716 Firefox/1.0.6
[12] Submitted by: - on Sunday 25th September 2005 at 11:56 -0400

re: comment #11 - yep it's already there! - see 'All the icons on here seem to be icons for the Mozilla/Firefox window. Are there any icons that I can use for my desktop?'

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.7.12) Gecko/20050915 Firefox/1.0.7
[13] Submitted by: ss on Friday 21st October 2005 at 19:14 -0400

i am a user on a solaris machine with firefox and thunderbird on it, so i dont have root access. is there any way i can install the icon packs as a user on solaris for my firefox/thunderbird profile?

Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; SunOS sun4u; en-US; rv:1.7.12) Gecko/20050928 Firefox/1.0.7
[14] Submitted by: sos1212mz@1-send.com on Tuesday 18th April 2006 at 17:07 -0400

Could someone please be so kind as to email me and tell me the exact name to use for the icon that Thunderbird uses for it's "Search Messages Window"?

Thanks!

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Win 9x 4.90; en-US; rv:1.7.12) Gecko/20050915 Firefox/1.0.7
[15] Submitted by: brimanp@yahoo.com on Tuesday 16th May 2006 at 10:01 -0400

the first time i tried to install an icon pack it didn't install and it left a dead entry on my extension list. Subsequent attempts have successfully installed icon packs but the dead entry is still there how do i get rid of it?

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.8.0.3) Gecko/20060426 Firefox/1.5.0.3
[16] Submitted by: - on Tuesday 23rd May 2006 at 13:37 -0400

Re: comment #15
This was a bug in Firefox (see https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=319022 ).
To fix this problem, search C:Documents and Settingsyourusername for the file 'extensions.rdf' - it will be in your Firefox profile folder, but this changes from computer to computer so do a search for it.
Once you have found it, make sure Firefox is completely closed, and delete it. When you start Firefox again, it will be rebuilt.

More information: http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=347748

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.8.0.3) Gecko/20060426 Firefox/1.5.0.3
[17] Submitted by: Nigrovic on Wednesday 24th May 2006 at 11:16 -0400

I'm also in the same situation as ss (#13, above).

I've tried creating an icons directory under my profile, but... no luck. There has to be a solution for this... I'm going crazy trying to sort out the mozilla windows from all the other clutter on my desktop.

How do you install icons via your profile?

Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; SunOS sun4u; en-US; rv:1.8.0.3) Gecko/20060508 Firefox/1.5.0.3
[18] Submitted by: - on Wednesday 24th May 2006 at 11:20 -0400

re: comment #17 - have you tried creating the following folder:

Yourprofiledirectory/chrome/icons/default

And put the icons (which should be in xpm format) in there?

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-GB; rv:1.8.0.3) Gecko/20060426 Firefox/1.5.0.3
[19] Submitted by: Nigrovic on Thursday 25th May 2006 at 11:19 -0400

re: comment #18

Yes, I have tried duplicating the icons directory under chrome in my profile, but no effect (copied chrome/icons/default from a linux distribution which included icons).

Also tried installing an icon pack, but no effect.

Finally, visiting icon de-installation page, got message that probably no icon packs installed, which there aren't, in the installation tree.

Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; SunOS sun4u; en-US; rv:1.8.0.3) Gecko/20060508 Firefox/1.5.0.3
[20] Submitted by: - on Thursday 25th May 2006 at 13:54 -0400

re: comment #19

You probably need root access then. The computer is probably locked down so that changes like these can't be made.

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.8.0.3) Gecko/20060426 Firefox/1.5.0.3
[21] Submitted by: katalyst on Monday 29th January 2007 at 15:41 -0800

All downloaded web links with shortcut to desktop show the Firefox logo. Sorry - but boring > once! I would like shortcuts on my desktop to show the web site's icon.

If I do this in IE this is achieved - automatically in most cases, also via IE view - until I re-boot. Then there are even more boring icons!

How do I do this using Firefox as preferred browser? Why is IE ahead of you in this matter?

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.8.1.1) Gecko/20061204 Firefox/2.0.0.1
[22] Submitted by: hidden secrets on Wednesday 31st January 2007 at 09:55 -0800

how safe is this? is there any viruses or spyware that might get on my computer if I download this?

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.8.0.9) Gecko/20061206 Firefox/1.5.0.9
[23] Submitted by: - on Wednesday 31st January 2007 at 12:50 -0800

No there are absolutely no viruses or spyware whatsoever on mozdev iconpacks. You can uninstall an icon pack at any time. See this faq for more info.

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-GB; rv:1.8.1.1) Gecko/20061204 Firefox/2.0.0.1
[24] Submitted by: MarkE on Tuesday 13th February 2007 at 20:03 -0800

I'd like to have two Firefox windows running at the same time with different icons. One window will contain my google calendar and the other window will contain my typical browsing and net-navigating. will Icon packs help with this?

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.8.0.9) Gecko/20061206 Firefox/1.5.0.9
[25] Submitted by: - on Wednesday 14th February 2007 at 09:09 -0800

Re: Comment #24 - I don't think this will be possible unless you install Firefox twice in two different places, each with its own icon pack.

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-GB; rv:1.8.1.1) Gecko/20061204 Firefox/2.0.0.1
[26] Submitted by: Dysfunction on Friday 6th July 2007 at 17:30 -0700

Very good site. You are doing a great job. Please keep it up!

Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1)
[27] Submitted by: cjr on Sunday 9th September 2007 at 15:55 -0700

i just installed it and nothing changed..help?

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.8.1.6) Gecko/20070725 Firefox/2.0.0.6
[28] Submitted by: ape on Tuesday 2nd October 2007 at 07:14 -0700

I have completely the same problem as katalyst did. I've searched a lot on the internet, visited many forums, saw firefox add-ons and extensions etc., but still no answer. At least if I could be sure that there is no solution. It seems that Firefox is #"£?&@!? If you don't agree than please offer a solution for my problem!

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-GB; rv:1.8.1.7) Gecko/20070914 Firefox/2.0.0.7
[29] Submitted by: - on Friday 5th October 2007 at 14:48 -0700

re: comment #28 - the icon a website uses (if it uses one at all) can usually be found referred to in the page source: View -> Page Source.

Copy its location from the page source (eg. www.somewebsite.com/favicon.ico) and download the file.

Then right-click the shortcut on your desktop, choose 'Properties', 'Change icon', and browse for the icon file you just downloaded.

Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux i686; en-US; rv:1.8.1.6) Gecko/20061201 Firefox/2.0.0.6 (Ubuntu-feisty)
[30] Submitted by: - on Friday 5th October 2007 at 14:50 -0700

re: comment #28 - have you read 'I'm having trouble installing an icon pack. What should I do??' above?

Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux i686; en-US; rv:1.8.1.6) Gecko/20061201 Firefox/2.0.0.6 (Ubuntu-feisty)
[31] Submitted by: nephromancer on Monday 5th November 2007 at 17:56 -0800

I agree with ape #28 and katalyst #18, how is something so common and simple as creating a desktop shortcut overlooked by the developers and/or the extension writers? Isn't anyone else bugged by the inability to right click, (solved by DESKCUT extension), and add a shortcut WITH ITS ICON/FAVICON. Oddly the bookmarks folder saves them correctly although it usually requires a reclick on them to activate it.

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.8.1.9) Gecko/20071025 Firefox/2.0.0.9
[32] Submitted by: - on Tuesday 6th November 2007 at 05:35 -0800

Re: comment #31
Hi nephromancer. I agree that this is a problem. However, it's not one this site can solve. We merely provide icon packs to change the look of your browser itself. Although I am of course willing to help you solve this problem.

Except this is really a problem that only the Firefox developers can solve. So I recommend that you have a search on Bugzilla (http://bugzilla.mozilla.org) to see if anyone has already reported this problem, otherwise file a new bug by going to https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/enter_bug.cgi

Good luck!

Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux i686; en-GB; rv:1.8.1.8) Gecko/20071022 Ubuntu/7.10 (gutsy) Firefox/2.0.0.8
[33] Submitted by: scorn4society on Monday 26th November 2007 at 22:28 -0800

I am normally not a flamer, nor do have any plans to see whether you reply to this, but this is a message from a software developer to people like ape, who bit** about free software not doing what they want.

If you think you can do better, do it, and do it for free, like Mozilla, and most of the open-source software companies out there. They do what they do, free of charge. They don't make money if you use or don't use their software, at least not from you. You want something done better, do it yourself, and save the people that enjoy using these products for there security value, and customization value, the grief of listening to a whiner.


Or better yet, use Internet Explorer, get more bugs, and then complain to Microsoft, and then pay to have a resolution. It is probably more than you can afford to get a fix, if they can fix it, which there is no guarantee of, even though you did pay for it. If you want help, try being polite.


You will probably also notice that the site you are on is also not charging you for their time or there products. They are not here to cater to you, for free then get $hi+ on for their trouble. Get off your @$$ and read a programming book if you want something that isn't already available.

Scorn

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.8.1) Gecko/20061010 Firefox/2.0
[34] Submitted by: Virtual_ManPL on Monday 28th January 2008 at 15:40 -0800

Don't want to instal with Fx3.0b3

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; pl-PL; rv:1.9b3pre) Gecko/20080128 Firefox/3.0b3pre (Powered by Virtual_ManPL)
[35] Submitted by: Ed Culley on Thursday 13th March 2008 at 21:01 -0700

Good Day: Just found your site and hope it can serve my purpose. I have scanned FAQs etc.,but I have a specific question. My browser is Firefox. OS: WindowsME.
I access My Homepage[Google] from my Quick Launch tray by clicking the Firefox icon.
I have several icons here for daily use programs, Eg. Gmail, Smart Computing site,etc. These are all the same design so I wish to have different icons for each site.
Will you advise please.
Ed Culley

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Win 9x 4.90; en-US; rv:1.8.1.12) Gecko/20080201 Firefox/2.0.0.12
[36] Submitted by: - on Friday 14th March 2008 at 05:24 -0700

re: comment #35
You should be able to change the icon by right-clicking it, choosing Properties, and then clicking the 'Change Icon' button.

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-GB; rv:1.8.1.11) Gecko/20071127 Firefox/2.0.0.11
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