Can't change alias icon

[MoodyM]

I've created an alias to a file on my Yosemite desktop. I want to change the icon, so I've found a PNG file I want to use.

When I open the Get Info window for the alias, click the little icon and copy/paste or drag the PNG file there, all I get for an icon is the generic PNG one.

I've tried opening the PNG in Preview and doing Cmd + A then Cmd + C to copy it that way, same result.

I've also tried with a JPG file and an ICNS file, same result (generic icon for each)

I've tried Relaunching Finder and doing killall Finder, didn't fix it,

Late-2013 rMBP with Yosemite 10.10.2.

 

[ilkevinli]

Try this. Open the icon you want to use in preview and click edit >copy. Then open the alias file (Get info) and click on the icon and click edit > paste.

 

[MoodyM]

Try this. Open the icon you want to use in preview and click edit >copy. Then open the alias file (Get info) and click on the icon and click edit > paste.

That's exactly what I did, no luck.

 

[fisherking]

2 things to try:

1. add a space after the name of the alias (this has worked for me).

or

2. change the original file icon, then make the alias... (obvious thing i guess)...

 

[MoodyM]

2 things to try:

1. add a space after the name of the alias (this has worked for me).

or

2. change the original file icon, then make the alias... (obvious thing i guess)...

I noticed my alias had a space in the name (it was called Mac Mini).

I took the space out, so the alias was now called MacMini, and low and behold, changing the icon works fine!

Interestingly, if I rename the alias to add the space back in, the icon reverts back to a generic one! If I then rename to take the space out again, it jumps back to the new icon!

Thanks

 

[Sirious]

I might be wrong, but doesn't the icon have to be in .ico format?

 

[fisherking]

I noticed my alias had a space in the name (it was called Mac Mini).

I took the space out, so the alias was now called MacMini, and low and behold, changing the icon works fine!

Interestingly, if I rename the alias to add the space back in, the icon reverts back to a generic one! If I then rename to take the space out again, it jumps back to the new icon!

Thanks

exactly. same thing happens here...altho a reboot usually fixes it as well.