How to Create an Icon in Windows (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-31 12:32

This wikiHow teaches you how to create an icon, to be used as a shortcut icon, for a Windows computer. Normally the shortcuts that are created on the desktop of PCs use predefined icons, but nobody forbids you to create a custom one through an online conversion service. Alternatively, you can create a basic, black and white icon using the Microsoft Paint editor.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Creating an Icon Using ICO Convert

Step 1. Visit the ICO Convert website

Use the URL https://icoconvert.com/ and your computer's internet browser.

The website indicated allows you to create an icon using any image stored on your computer

Step 2. Click the Choose File button

It is gray in color and is located at the top of the page. The Windows "File Explorer" window will appear.

Step 3. Select an image

Navigate to the folder where the file you want to use is stored, then click the corresponding icon to select it.

Step 4. Click the Open button

It is located in the lower right corner of the "Open" window. This way the chosen image will be uploaded to the ICO Convert website.

Step 5. Click the Upload button

It is displayed in the center of the ICO Convert site page. In a few seconds the selected image will appear on the page.

Step 6. Crop the photo

Drag the mouse cursor over the area of the image you want to convert to an icon.

• Remember that the selection area you will draw will always have a square shape.
• If you wish, you can move the selection area by dragging it with the mouse. Alternatively, you can enlarge or reduce it by clicking on one of the corners and then dragging it to the desired point.

Step 7. Scroll down the page to be able to click on the Select None link

It is displayed in the area below the photo. This will prevent you from creating an icon with a shape other than the one indicated, which could create compatibility problems on some computers.

Step 8. Make sure you are using the ICO file format

Scroll down the page, then click on "ICO for Windows 7, Windows 8, Vista and XP".

Step 9. Scroll the page further down and click the Convert ICO button

It is located at the bottom of the page.

Step 10. Click the Download your icon (s) link

The indicated option will appear at the bottom of the page when the conversion process is complete. At this point you can download the icon directly to your computer. Once the download is complete, you can use the newly created icon as a link icon.

It is best to store the icon file in a folder where it cannot be deleted or moved by mistake (for example the Images) before assigning it as a link icon.

Part 2 of 3: Creating an Icon with Paint

Step 1. Understand the drawback of using this method

Although Paint can be used to create a basic icon, its final transparency will not be optimal. This means that some colors of the icon will not be visible. To work around this, create an icon in black and white instead of color.

If you need to create a more complex icon, you can use Paint to draw and save it in-j.webp" />

Step 2. Start Paint

This is a program included with all versions of Windows that you can use to create a basic icon. To start Paint, follow these instructions:

• Open the "Start" menu by clicking on the icon

  

• Type in the keyword paint.
• Click on the icon Paint which will appear in the list of results.

Step 3. Activate the display of the reference grids

Click on the tab View, located in the upper part of the program window, then click on the "Grids" check button. At this point click on the tab Home to display the main Paint interface and all the drawing tools.

Step 4. Resize the workspace to match the size the icon should be

Make sure the tab is displayed Home, then follow these instructions:

• Click on the item Resize.
• Select the "Pixel" button.
• Uncheck the "Constrain aspect ratio" checkbox.

• Type the number 32 into the "Horizontally" and "Vertically" fields to create a 32x32 pixel workspace.

  Alternatively you can also use the 96x96 resolution

• Click on the button OK.

Step 5. Enlarge the work area

Since the latter is relatively small in size, click on the icon + placed in the lower right corner of the Paint window to enlarge the work area, so that you can draw freely without difficulty.

In the case of a working area of 32x32 pixels it is very likely that you will have to use the maximum zoom percentage, ie 800%, in order to work with a certain precision

Step 6. Draw the icon

After preparing the workspace and adjusting the zoom level, you can bring the icon you are imagining to life.

• Experienced designers recommend creating simple, vibrant icons whose meaning is immediate. Remember that the icon you will see on the desktop will be very small, so avoid entering too small words and details.
• You will most likely need to make the stroke of the drawing tool you are using smaller as well. Click on the "Dimensions" drop-down menu on the card Home, then select a finer stroke from those available.
• Drawing an icon using the mouse can be difficult, frustrating, and inefficient. If possible, use a digital drawing or drawing tablet to create your icon.

Step 7. Click on the File menu

It is located in the upper left corner of the Paint window. A drop-down menu will appear.

Step 8. Select the Save As option

It is visible in the center of the appeared menu. This will open a submenu next to the first one.

Step 9. Click on the Other formats item

It is the last menu option that appeared. The "Save As" system window will appear.

Step 10. Name the file followed by the extension ".ico"

Enter it in the "File Name" text field located at the bottom of the window. You can choose whatever name you want, but remember to add the.ico extension at the end of the text.

For example, if the name you chose is "Minecraft", you will need to type the following text into the "Filename" field: Minecraft.ico

Step 11. Click on the "Save as type" drop-down menu

It is located at the bottom of the "Save As" window. A list of options will be displayed.

Step 12. Click on Bitmap 256 colors

It is one of the options listed in the menu that appeared.

Step 13. Select the folder in which to save the file

Use the left side panel of the "Save As" window to select the directory in which to store the new icon (for example the folder Images).

It is best to choose a folder from which the file cannot be deleted or moved by mistake, as in this scenario any link that is using the icon under consideration will no longer be able to be displayed correctly

Step 14. Save the icon

Click on the button Save, located in the lower right corner of the window, then click on the button OK placed in the pop-up window that will appear. The icon in question will be stored in the indicated folder. At this point you can use the icon for any Windows shortcut.

Part 3 of 3: Changing a Link Icon

Step 1. Understand when you can use the icon you just created

You can change the icon of any Windows shortcut. Shortcut icons refer directly to EXE files and are normally created on the desktop for easier access to programs and applications.

• The only exception to this rule is the "This PC" app icon displayed on the desktop. Although you can manually create a shortcut to the Windows "This PC" collection and then change its icon, you cannot change the icon of the default "This PC" shortcut visible on the desktop.
• If you don't have a link to change the icon to, you can create one now before continuing.

Step 2. Select the shortcut icon with the right mouse button

A context menu will be displayed.

Step 3. Click on the Properties item

It is the last item in the drop-down menu that appeared.

If the last menu item is Customize, click once on the shortcut icon with the left mouse button, then select it again with the right mouse button.

Step 4. Click the Change Icon… button

It is located at the bottom of the window that appeared.

If the indicated option is not visible, click on the tab first Connection displayed at the top of the window.

Step 5. Click the Browse… button

It is located in the upper right corner of the newly appeared window. The Windows "File Explorer" window will appear.

Step 6. Select the file that contains the icon you created earlier

Navigate to the folder where you stored it, then click the corresponding icon to select it.

Step 7. Click the Open button

It is located in the lower right corner of the window.

Step 8. Click the OK button

It is located at the bottom of the window.

Step 9. Click the Apply buttons successively And OK.

This will close the dialogs and your icon will be assigned to the link in question.

Advice

• The instructions in this article are for creating an icon suitable for Windows systems. If you need to create an avatar for a forum or a Favicon (the icon linked to a specific website), you will need to use another procedure.
• The main resolutions used to create icons are 16x16, 24x24, 32x32, 48x48 and 64x64. Normally most of the icons have the following dimensions: 32x32 and 96x96.
• If you don't have time to create a custom icon, you can search for it directly on the web and download it to your computer in just a few seconds. However, in this case, be sure to use a secure and trustworthy website as a source.