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JacksonRobertson's avatar
JacksonRobertson
Iron Contributor
Jan 09, 2025

ICO File Converter working on Windows PC

Hi all,

I am building my first Windows app and the coding part is finished. Now, I am stuck for packing the app as there are different requirements for the app icon files. I have the original png file designed by a freelancer. However, the app ico file for Windows app is .icon. Is there any good free ico file converter available in Windows PC? I tried two online icon file converters but the app icon is blurred when the app was installed on my test PC.

7 Replies

  • Barbarank's avatar
    Barbarank
    Iron Contributor

    You'd better trying out a few ico converters can help you determine which one best suits your workflow and quality expectations as everyone has its own situation and the cases are different from one to one. In fact, most of the icon file converters are free or free trial.

    Finally go with the one that works flawlessly on your PC. Some of the apps or recommendations are out of date. You must test the ico file converter app by your self!

  • Cody-Hutson's avatar
    Cody-Hutson
    Iron Contributor

    There are a couple of good ico file converters across the web. However, it is a tough task to choose the best one when you are new to this field. Choosing the best ICO (Icon) file converter depends on your specific needs, such as the type of device you're using, the features you require, and whether you prefer a free or paid solution.

    File Format Support: Ensure the converter supports the formats you need to convert from and to.

    File Size Options: Common formats include PNG, JPG, GIF, BMP, and SVG. ICO files often contain multiple icon sizes (e.g., 16x16, 32x32, 48x48, 256x256). A good converter should allow you to create multi-resolution icons.

    Batch conversion: If you need to convert multiple files at once, batch processing capabilities can save you time.

    Assess Performance and Reliability: Fast processing times are essential, especially when dealing with large files or multiple conversions.

    Reliability: Choose converters with positive reviews and a good reputation to avoid issues like corrupted files or unexpected crashes.

    Customer Support and Documentation: Good customer support can help resolve any issues you encounter. Comprehensive documentation or tutorials can make the conversion process easier, especially for complex tasks.

    By considering these factors and exploring the recommended tools, you can select the ICO file converter that best meets your requirements, ensuring efficient and high-quality icon conversions for your projects.

  • SamuelSamson's avatar
    SamuelSamson
    Iron Contributor

    If you want to convert PNG to ICO files using the command line while ensuring the clarity of the icons, here is a simple solution. Here are the specific steps. The keyword ICO file converter will appear three times!

    Method 1: Use ImageMagck

    1. Install ImageMagck:
    2. Go to the ImageMagck official website to download and install the version suitable for your system.
    3. Perform command line conversion:
    4. Open the terminal and enter the following command to convert PNG to ICO file:
    magck convert input.png -define icon:auto-resize=256,128,64,48,32,16 output.ico
    • input.png is your PNG file.
    • output.ico is the generated ICO file.
    • The icon:auto-resize parameter ensures that clear icons of different sizes are generated.
    • ImageMagck is a powerful ICO file converter that supports a variety of file formats and adjustment options, which is very suitable for command line operations.

    Method 2: Use png2ico

    1. Install png2ico:
    2. Download png2ico and add it to the system path for easy calling from the command line.
    3. Perform command line conversion:
    4. Enter the following command to merge multiple PNG files into one ICO file:
    png2ico output.ico icon_16x16.png icon_32x32.png icon_48x48.png icon_256x256.png

    PNGs of each size need to be prepared in advance.
    output.ico is the output icon file.
    png2ico is a lightweight ICO file converter that focuses on icon conversion and is fast and efficient to use.

    Both command line tools are suitable as free ICO file converters. If you don't want to install multiple tools, ImageMagck is a more comprehensive choice, while png2ico is suitable for scenarios that focus more on ICO files. I hope these methods can help you! 

    • Sphoorti18's avatar
      Sphoorti18
      Copper Contributor

      Thank you so much for this trick like now I can convert png to ico from powershell :).

  • If you need a clear app icon and want to convert it to an ICO file, here are two free and easy ways to solve the blurry problem:

    Method 1: IcoFX (free ICO converter software)

    1. Download and install IcoFX: This professional and free tool is especially suitable for ICO file converter.
    2. Import your PNG file: Drag the PNG directly into the software.
    3. Adjust the icon size: Windows applications generally require 16x16, 32x32, 48x48, 256x256 and other sizes. IcoFX supports adjusting these sizes one by one.
    4. Export as an ICO file: Click "Save as", select the .ico format, and you're done!


    The good thing about IcoFX is that you can manually adjust each size to avoid generating blurry icons.

    Method 2: Use the free online tool ConvertICO

    1. Open the ConvertICO website: A simple and practical online ICO converter tool.
    2. Upload your PNG file: Drag it in and upload it directly, supporting batch operations on multiple images.
    3. Automatically generate a standard ICO file: It will adjust the size according to Windows requirements.
    4. Download ICO file: After the conversion is complete, just save the file.

    The advantage of ConvertICO is that it is extremely simple to use, but the resolution of the uploaded PNG should be 512x512 or higher to ensure that the final icon is clear.

    If the icon is still blurry, you can use a higher resolution PNG file as the source material (at least 512x512 is recommended). In general, IcoFX is the best choice for offline, and ConvertICO is the fastest online ico file converter  tool. I hope these methods can help you, and I wish you a successful launch of the application you develop soon! 🚀

  • OregonRain's avatar
    OregonRain
    Iron Contributor

    If you're finding a ICO file converter on Windows PC, one of the best ICO file converter tools I've come across is IrfenView. Now, I've used this tool quite a bit, and let me tell you, it's pretty solid for handling all sorts of image formats, including ICO. Plus, it’s lightweight and doesn't bog down your system.

    Free and Lightweight: It’s completely free for personal use and doesn’t take up much space. You won’t need to worry about trial limits or watermarks.
    User-Friendly: The interface is straightforward. You just open your ICO file, and you can save it in different formats like PNG, JPG, BMP, etc. 
    Batch Conversion: One of the coolest features is batch conversion. If you have a whole bunch of ICO files to convert, you can do it all at once – saves a ton of time!
    Plugins: It supports a ton of plugins if you want to expand its capabilities, making it super versatile.

     

    How to Use this ICO file converter

    1. Download and Install: Head to the IrfenView website and snag the installer. Follow the prompts to get it set up.
    2. Open your ICO File: Launch the program, drag your file in, or use the File menu to open it.
    3. Convert: Go to File > Save As and choose the format you want. Just make sure to check the dropdown for different formats.
    4. Save it: Pick the destination and hit save. Easy-peasy!

     

    If you’ve got Windows 10 or later, you can also use the built-in Photos app. It doesn't have as many features as IrfenView, but you can open ICO files with it and take screenshots of the images if you're in a pinch. However, for actual file conversion, it's a bit lacking compared to dedicated tools like IrfenView. 

  • Almaiw's avatar
    Almaiw
    Iron Contributor

    Not all ICO file converters maintain the quality of your images. Some might compress or distort your files. You want to check reviews or forums to see what other users have experienced with the quality after conversion. A little research goes a long way! Not every ICO file converter will handle every format flawlessly. Some might struggle with certain bitmap images or vector files. Consider what kinds of files you’ll be converting before you commit to a converter.

    Sometimes, you don’t need to download anything extra! If you’re using Windows, you can use Microsoft Paint to create ICO files. Just open your image, resize it to standard icon sizes (like 16x16, 32x32, or 64x64 pixels), and then save it. It’s straightforward and you skip the potential pitfalls of third-party converters. If you have a ton of files to convert, pay attention to whether the software you choose supports batch processing. It saves a ton of time instead of converting one file at a time!

    To solve your problem efficiently, consider trying some programs like G1MP (which is a free open-source image editor) or IrfenView. Both let you convert ICO files and have good reviews from users. Also, keep an eye on Microsoft’s own apps, like Paint, since they can sometimes do more than we expect!

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