In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of assigning custom icons to folders in Nautilus, the default file manager for the GNOME desktop environment used by many Linux distributions. This can be a great way to personalize your workspace and make important folders stand out.
To assign custom icons to folders in Nautilus, simply right-click on the folder, select "Properties," click on the image of the icon, choose the desired icon or image, and click "Apply" or "OK" to save the changes. If you want to assign icons in the same way as the default folders, you can copy the custom icons to the appropriate folder within /usr/share/icons and then assign them using the same steps. Remember to back up your custom icons and their settings regularly.
Understanding Nautilus and Custom Icons
Nautilus, also known as GNOME Files, offers a wide range of features for managing your files and folders. One of these features is the ability to assign custom icons to folders. This can be particularly useful if you want to visually distinguish between different folders, or if you simply want to add a personal touch to your file system.
Assigning Custom Icons to Folders in Nautilus
Assigning custom icons to folders in Nautilus is a straightforward process. Here’s how you can do it:
- Right-click on the folder whose icon you want to change and select “Properties”.
- In the properties window, click on the image of the icon. This is usually located in the “Basic” tab.
- An icon selection window will open. Here, you can choose the icon or image you want to set for the folder.
- Click “Apply” or “OK” to save the changes.
By following these steps, you can assign any image or icon to a folder in Nautilus.
Assigning Custom Icons Like Default Folders
If you want to assign icons in the same way as the default folders (such as Desktop, Downloads, Music, etc.), you can follow these additional steps:
- Open the file manager (Nautilus) and navigate to the folder where the default icons are stored. The default folder icons are usually located in the “Humanity” sub-folder within
/usr/share/icons. - Copy the custom icons you want to use to the appropriate folder within
/usr/share/icons. Make sure the file path of the icons remains exactly the same between backup and restore for this to work. - Once the custom icons are in the correct folder, you can assign them to folders using the steps mentioned earlier.
Understanding the Metadata
It’s important to note that the information about custom icons and their settings is saved by Nautilus in the ~/.local/share/gvfs-metadata directory. However, this directory contains various other data, so it may be challenging to pinpoint exactly what needs to be backed up for custom icons. It is recommended to maintain the file path of the icons during backup and restore.
Conclusion
Customizing folder icons in Nautilus is a simple yet effective way to personalize your workspace and improve your productivity. Whether you want to use custom icons that match your desktop theme or simply want to make certain folders stand out, Nautilus makes it easy to do so.
Remember to back up your custom icons and their settings regularly, especially before upgrading your system or making other significant changes. This will ensure that you can easily restore your custom icons if necessary.
For more information or if you encounter any issues, you can refer to the Nautilus documentation or ask for help in the GNOME community.
Yes, you can assign custom icons to folders in Nautilus. Simply right-click on the folder, select "Properties," click on the image of the icon, choose the desired icon or image, and click "Apply" or "OK" to save the changes.
To assign icons in the same way as the default folders, navigate to the folder where the default icons are stored (usually /usr/share/icons/Humanity). Copy the custom icons you want to use to the appropriate folder within /usr/share/icons. Once the custom icons are in the correct folder, you can assign them to folders using the steps mentioned earlier.
Nautilus saves the information about custom icons and their settings in the ~/.local/share/gvfs-metadata directory. However, this directory contains various other data, so it may be challenging to pinpoint exactly what needs to be backed up for custom icons. It is recommended to maintain the file path of the icons during backup and restore.
To back up your custom icons and their settings, you can make a copy of the custom icons and their respective folder locations within /usr/share/icons. Additionally, you may want to back up the ~/.local/share/gvfs-metadata directory to ensure you have a backup of the icon settings. Regularly backing up these files will allow you to easily restore your custom icons if needed.
For more information about Nautilus or if you encounter any issues, you can refer to the Nautilus documentation or ask for help in the GNOME community. They have a wealth of resources and a helpful community that can assist you with any questions or concerns.
