Figured it out. For some reason the shortcut, though ti worked by opening the programme, was not a proper shortcut.
By removing these, replacing them with new shortcuts from the windows>programmes etc folder I managed to get the change icon button working and thus change the icon .
I cannot see "Change Icon" button on Windows 8.1
I downloaded some Girly Folders and cannot see the "Change Icon" button. Does anyone know a solution to fix this? I appreciate this!