Q: I am using Windows 98 and would like to change the Windows "flag" icon on the "Start" button. Can IconForge do this?

• A safer and more convenient way would be to use the ActivIcons utility included with IconForge (go to the System Control screen, click the Desktop Options button, then click the Start icon). If you do not wish to run a utility in order to replace the Start button, you can also change the actual hardwired "Start" icon under Windows 95, 98 and ME by following the steps listed below (do not try these instructions with other versions of Windows):
  1. Use your file manager to make 2 backup copies of the file USER.EXE (this file is located within the Windows\System folder). You may place the backup copies either on a diskette, or into temporary folders;
  2. Run IconForge, and use the File/Open function to select one of the backup copies of USER.EXE which you made;
  3. Select the icon to change in the right-side panel and click on the OK button;
  4. Edit the icon using IconForge's tools (do not change the icon's size or color depth, however);
  5. Select the File/Save function to write the icon back into the USER.EXE program;
  6. Use the Shutdown option under the "Start" button to Restart Windows in MS-DOS mode;
  7. Use the DOS Copy command to copy your edited USER.EXE file to the C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory folder;
  8. Finally, return to Windows to see your new icon by using either the EXIT command or by rebooting the system once more.
  Most default Windows icons reside in the SHELL32.DLL file, which is also found in the Windows\System folder. If you wish to change icons contained within this file, follow a similar procedure as outlined above. Editing icons within an EXE or DLL is the most permanent way to switch an icon.
   
  Many default Windows icons may also be switched by using our ActivIcons program (which is included with IconForge). ActivIcons changes where the Windows Registry looks for various items (icons, cursors, transparent text, etc.). To download a free copy of ActivIcons, click here.