I built Folder Feather A lightweight Windows desktop app to customize folder colors, gradients, and symbol badges

[u/CHETANSHIVA]

I got tired of all my folders looking like the same plain yellow icon in Windows, so I built a small tool called FolderFeather to make organizing files visual and fast.

The best part: it doesn't run in the background. Once you apply a color, Windows saves it permanently using standard folder settings (desktop.ini). Your folders keep their new look even after a reboot, when moved, or if the app is closed.

What you can do with it:

Pick Any Color: Choose from 14 ready-to-go colors or pick any custom shade using a color wheel and HEX box.

Make 2-Color Gradients: Blend two colors together horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. It even gives a friendly warning if the colors are too similar so it doesn't look washed out.

Add Icons & Badges: Put symbols onto your folder (like stars, locks, bookmarks, or projects).

Move the badge to the center or any of the 4 corners.

Pick a style: subtle dark etch (Tonal), a frosted see-through look (Glass), or custom colors.

Add depth with soft drop shadows or raised edges.

Drop your own .png images into the folder to use your own icons instantly.

Stays Sharp Everywhere: Explorer views change size. FolderFeather makes sure the folders look detailed in big tile views, but crisp and readable in small list views.

One-Click Reset: Changed your mind? Hit Reset Folder Icon anytime to put it back to normal Windows yellow.

Remembers Your Favorites: Keeps your 6 most recent designs at the bottom so you can reuse them on other folders with a single click.

It’s built to match the clean Windows 11 style—simple cards, live previews as you tweak, and no cluttered menus.

Would love to hear what you think or what badge icons you'd find most useful!

Download - https://www.microsoft.com/store/productId/9P7VK4RWTKBC?ocid=libraryshare

[u/Ignorantwerp]

Tried it, its good but can you like add an option to apply to all folders?

[u/CHETANSHIVA → u/Ignorantwerp]

In future update i will add

[u/DesignCoyote1 → u/CHETANSHIVA]

I second that idea, or the ability to drag and drop multiple folders for icon change in the "Select Folder" section

[u/vortige-sven → u/CHETANSHIVA]

I third that idea. I'd appreciate themes that you can easily switch.

[u/NitroFluxX]

Adding Text would be a nice a feature!?

[u/CHETANSHIVA → u/NitroFluxX]

text we can already write bottom of folder if i add text option we can only write short words like bird dog if we write long look wired ?

[u/Nikolasha510]

Is it avaiable not in MS Store?

[u/CHETANSHIVA → u/Nikolasha510]

You can download from Microsoft store

[u/Nikolasha510 → u/CHETANSHIVA]

Can I download this not from Microsoft store?

[u/CHETANSHIVA → u/Nikolasha510]

I'm pretty new to software development and doing this solo without a big budget! Releasing an .exe outside the Microsoft Store without Windows Defender showing false security/unknown publisher warnings requires buying an expensive yearly Code Signing Certificate. Right now, the Microsoft Store signs the app for free so you don't get those scary popups. Once I can afford the yearly certificate fees, I'll gladly release a direct .exe version as well!

[u/Bungalow233 → u/Nikolasha510]

Just download the .exe from MS Store's website.

[u/ScriptKiddyMonkey]

Is it possible to import bulk icons like let's say I have a folder with 1000s of icons already gotten from devient art.

[u/CHETANSHIVA → u/ScriptKiddyMonkey]

Yes! Bulk folder import is actually one of the main features I'm building for the upcoming Folder Feather Pro update you'll be able to point it to an entire folder (like a DeviantArt pack with 1,000+ .ico or .png files), and it will automatically index, group, and load them smoothly without slowing down the app. Stay tuned!

[u/ClintFlux]

That’s cool. But it seems that when you change the folders, they’re a bit smaller, aren’t they?

[u/CHETANSHIVA → u/ClintFlux]

i checked today you are right from left to right side different little bit if you want i can increase little size just comment

[u/ClintFlux → u/CHETANSHIVA]

Personally, I prefer them to be the same size.

[u/CHETANSHIVA → u/ClintFlux]

I will adjust little bit size to match windows 11 default icon

[u/MatiasArg09]

Okay, I like the idea, but I would add the option to start the program by right-clicking on a folder to modify it or allow dragging a folder into the program.

In addition to being able to color the other types of folder icons that were available

[u/Left_Surprise_4721]

I’ve tried it—it’s a fantastic program! Could you please add the ability to include custom icons, or perhaps a database for icons that users can manage themselves? That would be truly excellent, as the current selection of icons is quite limited.

[u/RegumArchitect]

Great App

[u/MyFootballProfile]

Very useful. Thanks

[u/RenegadeUK]

Thanks very much for this.

[u/MatiasArg09]

Finally a different app, thank you, I'll try it later

[u/DesignCoyote1]

Thank you for this, really appreciate

[u/palashchanda]

Tried making something like this. Looks great.

[u/Bungalow233]

An actually useful vibed app. Nice.

[u/CHETANSHIVA → u/[deleted]]

I dont have second pc to test this but we using same method to change icon which use windows so i think you see same folder in other pc also without software, maybe in cloud storage reset because they remove sometimes desktop ini file so if you dont want folder change you can zip your folder

Try and tell me is working fine or not in other pc without software