How to Change icon of exe file - Quick Guide

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We all know that exe file has a simple default icon which is not good in looking and also its very difficult to distinguish if we have multiple exe files in same folder. So for this purpose we can use some tools to change icon of exe file so that easily we can identify the exe file of program. Also the icon of exe file is changed to make your software a brand to stand in market. If your program will have a exe file with your company logo, the impact will be high. You can easily change icon of exe file using this method showed below.

WHAT WE WILL COVER

• What is exe file
• What is icon
• Software for Icon change
• Process

What is exe file?

Whenever we create a software or install one from internet or CDs or USB we see a little picture on the application file of software that image can be a simple company logo or anything related to the application. So that image is default icon of application which we see on our desktop or taskbar when we use that software. So basically the exe file is short form of Executable file, it means whenever a user double clicks on exe file, it will do some task it can be some process, some function or anything else. 

What is icon?

So as we discussed above, the image is the icon but why we call it a icon? actually its extension is .ico so we call the image with .ico extension as an icon . When you download an icon, just right click and check whether it is a simple JPG image or an icon. The reason we use only icon for exe file is that it takes less storage in memory and displays complete image. So if you want to download icons of your choice, you can DOWNLOAD ICONS HERE. Like for Windows 10 let me just show you an example of icons, You can see the software in image as This PC, Recycle Bin etc. and the icons are in front of you, you can easily change them if you don't like these one.

Software for Icon change

If you want to change your software's icon so you can do it by following simple steps below. The name of software is ResourceHacker and this is the most commonly used software now a days for icon changing. You can Download the software from its original website or you can get here: DOWNLOAD TOOL. After you have downloaded the tool you just have to extract it f its in zip for otherwise just double click.

Process

So once you have downloaded the software, you need 3 things. First of all the file that you want to change the icon of. Second is the icon which you will add. So to DOWNLOAD ICONS go to website and search for your desired icon. After you have downloaded the icon just follow these steps carefully.

STEP 1: Double click the Resource Hacker Application. And the new windows will appear in front of you.

STEP 2: Now Right click the Application which you want to change icon of exe and click file location from menu.

STEP 3: When you reach the setup folder just locate the actual application file of software. Then Drag the Application file into the window of Resource hacker and you will see some sort of icons on right side and some files.

STEP 4:  Locate folder Icons / Icon Group and expand it to show icons used in software. then right click any icon in the list, Just try its the primary icon of application. And click Replace Icon.

STEP 5: A new window will open, Just click on Replace and choose the icon which you have already downloaded.

STEP 6: When you have replaced the icon, then click on top left corner as FILE and click SAVE. If SAVE button does not work for you and give any error, just use SAVE AS button and save your new exe file anywhere on your computer. 

After doing this just restart your computer and the icon will be changed shortly. Sometimes it takes some time to appear, because in cache memory our computer keeps the icons of some software.

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