Where are the external hard drive icons stored in the system?

[SpeQ]

Are they Apple icon images, GIF, PNG, or what? I’ve searched for “icon” with system files included, kind is image, and I’m getting hundreds of close hits. I’m guessing “icon” is the wrong search term?

On Big Sur, if it matters.

 

[Slartibart]

To answer the question in the title:

I d not have a Big Sur system at the moment, but before you can find them in /System/Library/Extensions/IOStorageFamily.kext/Contents/Resources

or for your sidebar icons they can be found under /System/Library/CoreServices/CoreTypes.bundle/Contents/Resources along with many other system icons.

EDIT: please follow @chabig advice below.

 

[chabig]

If you’re thinking about changing icons, don’t mess with the system. The following method works for disks too.

Change icons for files or folders on Mac

In the Finder on your Mac, change the icon for any file or folder using your own pictures, icons from the web, or icons from another file or folder.

support.apple.com

 

[SpeQ]

If you’re thinking about changing icons, don’t mess with the system. The following method works for disks too.

Change icons for files or folders on Mac

In the Finder on your Mac, change the icon for any file or folder using your own pictures, icons from the web, or icons from another file or folder.

support.apple.com

Yeah, that's what I was going to do, but I was going to make a duplicate of a system icon, edit it, then use that method to replace the current icon. Not messing with system files.

 

[chabig]

...I was going to make a duplicate of a system icon, edit it...

I’d just take a screenshot and work from that. It’s easier.

 

[SpeQ]

If I could just set my desktop to transparent

I'll find the files, I just thought it was an easy question someone would know the answer to.

 

[SpeQ]

I’d just take a screenshot and work from that. It’s easier.

Okay, I'm willing to admit defeat. I took a screenshot. It seems the images used to be stored on the drives themselves, but I'm not seeing it on mine.

Here's the one I created if anyone wants a burple one. The default orange icon was too distracting.

 

[Blowback]

If you’re thinking about changing icons, don’t mess with the system. The following method works for disks too.

Change icons for files or folders on Mac

In the Finder on your Mac, change the icon for any file or folder using your own pictures, icons from the web, or icons from another file or folder.

support.apple.com

Ah...one of the first things I remember playing with years ago on my Performa 600CD! Glad to see it hasn't been changed!

 

[chabig]

Here's the one I created

Beautiful! Thank you.