Folder icons on Finder windows

I tried to change a folder icon by pasting an icon from a file over the folder icon in the folder's information window and something strange happened. The file icon (it was from an application file) now appears to the right gear (action?) pulldown on the top of the folder window for every folder I open from my account. When this icon is double clicked, the folder whose icon I was originally trying to change opens in the finder window which was double clicked. Did I damage something? How can I get rid of this behavior?
I tried going back to the original folder and deleting the changed icon from its information window, which restored the generic folder icon. Now, instead of the new icon, the generic folder icon appears to the right of the gear pulldown on the top of every finder window. When this generic folder icon is double clicked the folder I was trying to change still opens in the finder window.
Thanks for any help.
Message was edited by: Thomas Camilleri
Message was edited by: Thomas Camilleri

The action (gear) toolbar button can be placed anywhere on the toolbar, so something 'to the right' can be confusing (I don't even use the gear button) - but if I understand you correctly, the folder (whatever it's icon is) is now on the Finder's toolbar. You can add files, folders, and scripts to the Finder's toolbar just like any of the other buttons, although I'm not sure how you accidentally did that (it has nothing to do with icons or the 'Get Info') - go to the View > Customize Toolbar… menu, drag the folder off of the toolbar, and poof!, it's gone from the toolbar (just like the dock).

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