This wikiHow teaches you how to change the icon of an EXE file on a Windows computer. Usually the icon of the EXE file itself cannot be changed, but you can create a shortcut to the EXE file that you can edit later. If you want to force an EXE file icon, you can use a program like Resource Hacker or GConvert.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Creating a Shortcut
Step 1. Understand how this method works
Although the EXE file icon cannot be changed without installing a third-party program, you can create a desktop shortcut for the EXE file and change the shortcut icon. With this step, you can save the EXE file in a folder and use a desktop shortcut to run the EXE file.
- After creating a desktop shortcut for the EXE file, you must not move the EXE file because if you move it, the shortcut cannot be used.
- You don't have to save the shortcut file on the desktop.
Step 2. Make sure you have the icon file
Instead of an image, you need to use an icon file (ICO) to use as a shortcut icon. You can download a new icon image by typing icon file ico in a search engine, selecting the displayed website, and clicking the link “ Download as ICO " or " Download ”.
- Make sure the icon images are downloaded as.ico files, not-j.webp" />
- You can also create your own icons that you want to use.
- It's a good idea to save the icon file in a folder that is unlikely to be changed (eg the " Pictures " folder) so that the shortcut icon doesn't disappear because you accidentally moved the icon file.
Step 3. Right-click the desktop
A drop-down menu will appear near the mouse cursor. Make sure you right-click an empty space on the desktop, not a file, workbar, or folder.
- If your mouse doesn't have a right-click button, click the right side of the mouse or use two fingers to click the mouse.
- If your computer uses a trackpad instead of a mouse, use two fingers to touch the trackpad or press the lower right side of the device.
Step 4. Select New
It's at the top of the drop-down menu. After that, a pop-out menu will be displayed.
Step 5. Click Shortcuts
It's in the pop-out menu. A new window will be opened after that.
Step 6. Click Browse…
It's in the middle of the window, just to the right of the name bar.
Step 7. Select the EXE file
Visit the EXE file's storage folder in the pop-up window, then single-click the file to select it.
Step 8. Click OK
The EXE file will then be selected as the shortcut destination.
Step 9. Click Next, then enter a name
Type in the name you want to use as the desktop shortcut name.
Step 10. Click Finish
It's in the lower-right corner of the window. After that, the EXE file shortcut will be added to the desktop.
Step 11. Right-click the shortcut
A drop-down menu will appear after that.
Step 12. Click Properties
This option is at the bottom of the drop-down menu.
Step 13. Click Change Icon…
It's at the bottom of the pop-up window.
If the option is not displayed, click the tab “ Shortcuts ” which is at the top of the window first.
Step 14. Click Browse…
This option is in the pop-up window that appears. After that, a File Explorer window will be opened.
Step 15. Select the icon file
Go to the download directory and click on the icon that was previously created or downloaded.
Step 16. Click Open
It's at the bottom of the window.
Step 17. Click OK
It's below the pop-up window.
Step 18. Click Apply, then click OK.
The new icon is then applied to the shortcut.
If necessary, you can remove the shortcut arrow to complete the process
Method 2 of 3: Editing EXE Files with Resource Hacker
Step 1. Make sure you already have the icon file
Instead of an image, you need to use an icon file (ICO) to use as a shortcut icon. You can download a new icon image by typing icon file ico in a search engine, selecting the displayed website, and clicking the link “ Download as ICO " or " Download ”.
- Make sure the icon images are downloaded as.ico files, not-j.webp" />
- You can also create your own icons that you want to use.
- It's a good idea to save the icon file in a folder that is unlikely to be changed (eg the "Pictures" folder) so that the shortcut icon doesn't disappear because you accidentally moved the icon file.
Step 2. Download and install Resource Hacker
Resource Hacker is a free program for Windows computers that allows you to edit the properties of EXE files, including their icons. To download and install it, visit https://www.angusj.com/resourcehacker/ on your computer's web browser, then follow these steps:
- Click the link " Download ” is blue at the top of the page.
- Click " EXE install ”, then select a save location if prompted.
- Double-click the downloaded installation file.
- Follow the installation instructions.
Step 3. Open Resource Hacker
Open menu Start ”, type resource hacker into the “Start” window, and click the “ Resource Hacker ” at the top of the window.
Step 4. Click File
It's in the upper-left corner of the Resource Hacker window. A drop-down menu will appear after that.
Step 5. Click Open…
It's at the top of the drop-down menu File ”.
Step 6. Select the EXE file
Click the folder location on the left side of the window, then click the EXE file.
If the EXE file is in another folder (or folders) in the directory you opened, you will also need to open the additional folders
Step 7. Click Open
It's at the bottom of the window. The EXE file will then be opened in the Resource Hacker window.
Step 8. Select the "Icon" folder
Click this folder on the left side of the Resource Hacker window.
Step 9. Click the Actions tab
It's in the top-left corner of the window. After that, a drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 10. Click Replace Icon…
It's in the middle of the drop-down menu Action ”.
Step 11. Click Open file with new icon…
It's at the top of the "Replace icon" window. Once clicked, a new icon selection window will open.
Step 12. Select the icon
Click the icon file (ICO), or click another EXE file to use the icon.
You may first need to click a folder on the left side of the window before you can select an icon
Step 13. Click Open
The selected icon will open in the Resource Hacker window.
Step 14. Click Replace
It's on the right side of the Resource Hacker window.
You may need to select the desired version of the icon on the left side of the window before clicking the “ Replace ”, depending on the file selected as the icon.
Step 15. Save changes
Click the tab " File, then click " Save " The changes will be applied to the EXE file.
Method 3 of 3: Editing EXE Files with GConvert
Step 1. Make sure you already have the icon file
Instead of an image, you need to use an icon file (ICO) to use as a shortcut icon. You can download a new icon image by typing icon file ico in a search engine, selecting the displayed website, and clicking the link “ Download as ICO " or " Download ”.
- Make sure the icon images are downloaded as.ico files, not-j.webp" />
- You can also create your own icons that you want to use.
- It's a good idea to save the icon file in a folder that is unlikely to be changed (eg the "Pictures" folder) so that the shortcut icon doesn't disappear because you accidentally moved the icon file.
Step 2. Download and install GConvert
Go to https://www.gdgsoft.com/download/gconvert.aspx via your computer's web browser, then follow these steps:
- Click the link " Site 1 ”, then select a download location if prompted.
- Double-click the downloaded file.
- Click " Yes ' when prompted.
- Click " Instant Install ”, then follow the next command.
Step 3. Open GConvert
Double-click the GConvert 5 application icon which looks like a folder on the computer desktop.
GConvert places its application shortcuts to the desktop automatically
Step 4. Click Continue when prompted
With this option, you can proceed to the main GConvert window.
Step 5. Click Tools
It's a tab at the top of the window. Once clicked, a drop-down menu will appear.
Step 6. Click Modify icons in EXE/DLL…
This option is at the bottom of the drop-down menu. A new window will be opened after that.
Step 7. Click the “Browse” icon
This folder icon is at the far right of the window.
Step 8. Select the EXE file
In the File Explorer window that appears, visit the location where the EXE file is saved, and then single-click the file to select it.
Step 9. Click Open
It's in the lower-right corner of the window.
Step 10. Select the currently used icon
Click the icon in the center of the window.
Step 11. Click Modify selected icon…
It's at the bottom of the window. Once clicked, a different File Explorer window will be opened.
Step 12. Select the icon
In the File Explorer window, visit the directory where the icon file is stored, and then click the icon file to select it.
Step 13. Click Open
It's in the lower-right corner of the page.
Step 14. Click Close and open in GConvert
It's at the bottom of the window. After that, the icon will be applied to the EXE file and the contents of the file will be opened in GConvert.
Step 15. Close the GConvert window
Once the EXE file is loaded in GConvert, you can click the red circle in the top right corner of the GConvert window to close it. The EXE file now has a different icon.
- You can also delete the.bak file that appears on the desktop after selecting the new EXE icon.
- It may take a few minutes for the EXE file icon to change. You can also reopen the GConvert program to forcibly display the changes.
