Customizing Apple's Default Icons
Disclaimer: InterfaceLIFT is not responsible for any damage or data loss resulting from the use of these instructions. If you proceed, you do so at your own risk. We recommend that users not comfortable with the UNIX command line not attempt this hack.
This article is for Mac OS X 10.1.x. If you are using version 10.2.x (Jaguar), please follow these directions instead: Customizing Apple's Default Icons (10.2.x)
Just as in the classic Macintosh operating system, the default icons for such items at folders, hard disks, CDs, the trash can, and many others can be customized by replacing system resources. In Mac OS X, most of the default icons are contained in a file called HIToolbox.rsrc which is buried deep within the file system. The HIToolbox.rsrc file is owned by the root user so you will need an account with Administrator priviledges to edit it.
If you do not already have it, download Iconographer X 2.2 or later from MScape software. This will be used to open and edit the icons in the HIToolbox.rsrc file.
Start off by making a backup copy. This will come in handy if you want to revert to the factory defaults later on. You may also need it in case something goes wrong and you can no longer login to your machine.
To backup your HIToolbox.rsrc file, run the following commands in the Terminal program. Enter your password when prompted.
cd /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/ cd HIToolbox.framework/Versions/A/Resources sudo cp HIToolbox.rsrc HIToolbox_BACKUP.rsrc
Next, change the permissions on the HIToolbox.rsrc file so that you will have the priviledges necessary to modify it. Enter your password when prompted by the Terminal.
sudo chmod 664 HIToolbox.rsrc
Now open the directory containing these files in the Finder using the following command:
open .
Launch Iconographer and drag the HIToolbox.rsrc file onto its icon in the Dock to open it.
You will be presented with a graphical listing of default icons used by Mac OS X.
Select a suitable replacement icon from Xicons.com for each default you would like to change and open it in Iconographer. Once the file is loaded, select Edit -> Copy -> Icon Family from the menu bar.
Now switch back the HIToolbox.rsrc file and double click on the icon resource you want to replace. From the menu bar select Edit -> Paste -> Icon Family. Repeat the process until you are done customizing, then save the file quit Iconographer.
That's all there is to it! Log out of your account and then log back in to see the changes you have made.
In the future, if you would like to restore the default icons, open the Terminal and type the following commands, entering your password when prompted:
cd /System/Library/Frameworks/Carbon.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/ cd HIToolbox.framework/Versions/A/Resources sudo mv HIToolbox_BACKUP.rsrc HIToolbox.rsrc
Then log out and back in to make your changes take effect.
Comments, corrections, and suggestions related to this article should be emailed to jstys@mac.com.
Last updated February 12, 2001 for Mac OS X 10.1.2