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ICO File - What is an .ico file and how do I open it?
Learn about .ICO files and view a list of programs that open them.
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Overview
What is an ICO file? An ICO file contains an icon , which is typically used to represent a Windows program, file, or folder. It stores one or more images in various sizes so they can be appropriately scaled depending on their use. ICO files are similar to .CUR files, which are also used in Windows, and .ICNS files, which are used in macOS.
More Information ICO file open in Apple Preview 11 All icons for executable files in Windows are saved in the ICO format. Windows ICO files typically store images ranging from 16x16 to 256x256 pixels. Older ICO files only include images up to 48x48 (the dimensions Windows previously recommended). However, most newer icons store images up to 256x256 to accommodate screens with higher DPI . Each image in an ICO file with less than 32 bits of color depth stores two bitmaps: 1) the AND bitmap - the image mask (which determines what part of the icon is transparent) and 2) the XOR bitmap - contains the icon which is mapped onto the image mask. Images with 32 bits of color are 24-bit images with 8-bit channels for alpha compositing purposes.
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.ICO File Extension
Icon File
| Developer | Microsoft |
| Popularity |
4.1 | 132 Votes |
NEW: Open your .ICO file online with File Helper . View Online
What is an ICO file?
An ICO file contains an icon , which is typically used to represent a Windows program, file, or folder. It stores one or more images in various sizes so they can be appropriately scaled depending on their use. ICO files are similar to .CUR files, which are also used in Windows, and .ICNS files, which are used in macOS.
More Information
ICO file open in Apple Preview 11
All icons for executable files in Windows are saved in the ICO format. Windows ICO files typically store images ranging from 16x16 to 256x256 pixels. Older ICO files only include images up to 48x48 (the dimensions Windows previously recommended). However, most newer icons store images up to 256x256 to accommodate screens with higher DPI .
Each image in an ICO file with less than 32 bits of color depth stores two bitmaps: 1) the AND bitmap - the image mask (which determines what part of the icon is transparent) and 2) the XOR bitmap - contains the icon which is mapped onto the image mask. Images with 32 bits of color are 24-bit images with 8-bit channels for alpha compositing purposes.
Common ICO Filenames
favicon.ico - File used to store a small website logo that may appear in various areas of a web browser, including the address bar, website bookmark , and webpage tab . If a website has a favicon image, it will appear to the left of the web address when any page of the website is loaded. The favicon.ico image file must be 16x16 pixels and stored in the root directory of the website in order for the web browser to recognize it.
How to open an ICO file
You can open ICO files with various applications in Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
In Windows:
In macOS:
Other programs that open ICO files include Google Photos (multiplatform), IrfanView , and ACD Systems ACDSee Photo Studio .
How to set an ICO file as a Windows shortcut icon
In Windows, you can set any ICO file as the icon for a shortcut (such as a desktop shortcut). To do so:
The ICO file you chose will then appear as your shortcut's icon.
Programs that open or reference ICO files
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Windows
File Viewer Plus
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Get it from Microsoft
Free +
Microsoft Photos
Included with OS
Microsoft Paint
Included with OS
IcoFX
Free Trial
Axialis IconWorkshop
Free Trial
Newera IconCool Editor
Free Trial
ACD Systems ACDSee Photo Studio
Free Trial
SibCode Sib Icon Editor
Free Trial
Program4Pc PC Icon Editor
Free Trial
IconEdit2
Free Trial
Inkscape
Free
IvanView
Free Trial
GIMP
Free
IrfanView
Free
Mac
Apple Preview
Included with OS
Lemkesoft GraphicConverter
Free Trial
Inkscape
Free
GIMP
Free
Snap Converter
Paid
Linux
Inkscape
Free
GIMP
Free
Web
FileHelper.com
Free
Google Photos
Free
Google Drive
Free +
iOS
Google Photos
Free
Android
File Viewer for Android
Free +
Google Photos
Free
Chrome OS
Google Photos
Free
Category: System Files
Updated: September 14, 2023