I have an application whose executable contains some default icon. Now, I know I can use a shortcut with whatever icon I want, but what I'm looking to do is change the icon within the executable itself. How can I do this? Notes: Using Windows 7 64bit, but I'm interested in 32-bit executables as well, which will perhaps run on Win XP etc. Keeping the same filesize is a plus, but not necessary.. Don't like the icon of a specific file type? You can change it. Here is how to change the icon of a file type in Windows 10 and 11.
Icon files are included in the .exe file of a program or a supporting .dll file by the programmer. You'd have to use a graphics editor such as MSPaint to create the .ico file then rewrite the .exe file to include either the icon or a link to where the file is located. Either that or use the shortcut method shown by others.. This video tutorial will guide you step-by-step in how to easily change the icon of an EXE file in Windows. Watch the video from start to finish and at the end of the video, you will definitely.