The icons of the system files (icons) in Macos decorate almost everything you can find in Finder. From the icons of personal folders and system folders, to those of individual files, they offer a unitary and aesthetic appearance to the user interface (UI). These icons can be observed both in the side bar on the left side of the Finder and during navigation through the Folders of the system.
For the personalization of the operating system, the system folders icons can also be used for personal or even modified folders to change the graphics of the original. Also, Macos system icons can be used wherever you want, including in graphic edits. However, in order to achieve this, you need to have access to the original files of the icons on the macos.
Unlike the Windows operating system, where the icons are in .ICO format, Macos uses. Icns for these graphic elements.
How can you access system file icons on macos?
The original files of the system icons on maccos are found in predefined directors in the structure of the operating system. They are mainly located in the following places:
/System/Library/CoreServices/CoreTypes.bundle/Contents/Resources/In the "Resources" folder you will find all the icons of system files and macOS folders, in .Icns format.
/System/Library/CoreServices/Dock.app/Contents/Resources/
These directors contain the icons used for standard folders, system applications files and other elements of the macos system. In order to access these files, you need to have administrative privileges, because the respective directors are part of the maccos protected system. If you intend to change the original graphics, it is advisable to create the original files to avoid any problems.
Related: Customization Home Screen on iOS 18 (Dark icons, Widgets)
The recommendation is not to change these files unless you copy them to another location and use them for graphic edits.
Only now the system will not put new icons in the folder, the folders are closed from file changes.