Steps
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Step 1. Open Paint from the “Accessories” menu
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Step 2. Start with a known icon
- The Windows system icons are all contained in: / WINDOWS / system32 / SHELL32.dll;
- The BAD news is that you can't easily access it from the Dynamic Link Archive (DLL).
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Step 3. Open the icon with PAINT.exe
It will appear as a tiny image in the upper left.
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Step 4. To enlarge the image, click on the Magnifying Glass and select level 8
It still won't be "big", but it will be manageable
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Step 5. Press CTRL + G to add the grid
You can also try without it, but it's more complicated.
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Step 6. Use the tools and colors to create your icon
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Step 7. Press CTRL + S to save the file with these characteristics:
- The file name MUST end with “. ICO”.
- The “type” MUST be "24 Bit Bitmap".
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Paint will save it as ". ICO".
- If you did it right, you will see a picture. If it's not there, Windows won't recognize your creation and won't even read it later.
- IF WINDOWS HAS NOT APPROVED YOUR FILE, YOU CANNOT PROCEED.
Create an Icon in Paint Step 8 Step 8. Go back and immediately fix the icon
Step 9. Note:
the standard BLUE Windows background is:
Create an Icon in Paint Step 9 Step 10. Tint = 141; Saturation = 115; Brightness = 105; Red = 58; Green = 110; Blue = 165
Create an Icon in Paint Step 10 Step 11. Let's assume that Windows has approved your file, and let's proceed
Create an Icon in Paint Step 11 Step 12. Right-click on a rarely used icon on the Desktop and select "Properties" at the bottom
Create an Icon in Paint Step 12 Step 13. A new window will open; go to the "Shortcuts" panel
Create an Icon in Paint Step 13 Step 14. Select “Change Icon” under all the boxes
Create an Icon in Paint Step 14 Step 15. It will assume you want to select one of the Microsoft icons and take you there
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Main Drive: / WINDOWS / system32 / SHELL32.dll
>>> This is NOT the folder you want. <<< DO NOT choose from THAT list
Create an Icon in Paint Step 15 Step 16. Click on "Search" and find the newly created icon
Create an Icon in Paint Step 16 Step 17. Choose your file; must clearly show the extension ". ICO" or it will not work
Create an Icon in Paint Step 17 Step 18. The program will try to install it for you