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If you're wondering how to update your MSN butterfly icon, just follow the steps below. These steps apply if you have any of these Windows versions installed on your PC:

  • Windows 8.1

  • Windows 10

Let's get started...

  1. Right-click the MSN icon on the desktop (the blue butterfly) and then select Properties.

  2. Make sure you're in the Shortcut tab.
    Properties box, shortcut tab

  3. Select the Change Icon button.

    • If you get a message stating “Windows can’t find the file %ProgramFiles%\MSN\MSNCorefiles\msnms.ico”, select OK to dismiss it.

  4. Now that the Change Icon box is open, scroll to the right until you see the MSN 4 color butterfly and select it, then OK.
    Change icon box

  5. Select the OK button to close the MSN Properties box.

    • If you get a prompt to provide administrator permission, select the Continue button.
      Access denied, administrator permission required

    • If a User Account Control message pops up stating that Windows needs your permission to continue, select the Continue button.

If the Change Icon box only shows the blue butterfly, follow these steps:

  1. Copy this location:

    • %SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll

  2. Paste it into the box labeled “Look for icons in this file:”, do NOT select the Browse button.

    • The location may also be typed directly into the box, but it must be entered exactly as shown above including the percent signs.
      Change icon box with blue butterfly only

  3. Select the OK button.

  4. The Change Icon box should now be full of icons. If not, delete the contents of the “Look for icons in this file:” box and then try the copy/paste again.

  5. Scroll to the right until you see the MSN 4 color butterfly, cselect it and then OK.
    Change icon box

  6. Select the OK button on the MSN Properties.

    • If prompted to provide administrator permission, select the Continue button.
      Access denied, administrator permission required

    • If a User Account Control message pops up stating that Windows needs your permission to continue, select the Continue button.

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