Solved Obtaining a Program's Icon for Shortcut Use

I have a program that I very much like to use its icon as a shortcut icon. How can I get that icon?

If a program uses an icon file its icon is stored within the program. You can go to C:\program files, browse to the program, then do a search for .ico.
However, these days most programs do not use icon type files anymore.

Hello Dan,

If it's a desktop app/program and not from the Microsoft Store, you could use the method in the tutorial below to get its icon in ICO or PNG file type.

@Brink - I downloaded the icon viewer that you mentioned in your email, however, when I did the install I can't find the program to start it anywhere. Got any suggestions?
Thanks
Dan

@glasskuter - The program icon that I wanted to use doesn't exist, therefore, I'm screwed I guess. The default ones that come with Windows 11 suck. The Icon that I'm after is the icon that Open Office has. But then again, how could I make my own?
Thanks
Dan

timlab55 said:

@Brink - I downloaded the icon viewer that you mentioned in your email, however, when I did the install I can't find the program to start it anywhere. Got any suggestions?
Thanks
Dan

Click to expand...

It doesn't have anything to run. Instead, it installs a shell extension that adds the "Icons" tab to the properties page of files (ex: "EXE") with an icon library.

@timlab55


Use Icon viewer to find the Open Office icon you want.
Open Office should be in Program Files or Program Files x86

Just "browse" to the Open Office install directory.
It's probably in an .exe file or a .dll file somewhere in that directory.


Open Office icons

@Brink - Maybe I should go back later and read the directions.
@Ghot - I found a website that has tons of icon, I'm going to pick one of them and hope I can use it.

timlab55 said:

@Brink - Maybe I should go back later and read the directions.
@Ghot - I found a website that has tons of icon, I'm going to pick one of them and hope I can use it.

Click to expand...

There are programs that will let you create icons... I think @Edwin knows of one, maybe more.
Yiou can probably use one of those programs and one of the Open Office icon pictures in the link I put in post #7


Here's piles of Open Office icons that have already been created...

timlab55 said:

Maybe I should go back later and read the directions.

Click to expand...

After you've installed Icon Viewer, navigate to the .exe of the desired program..., right click on the .exe, choose Properties, click on Icons tab, choose 256x256 32 bit, Save as..., .ico...

@Ghot - One last question before I sign off. How in the Heck can I get rid of that boody "One Drive" once and for all?
Thanks
Dan

@Edwin - Maybe I should explain myself a lot better than what I have been on this subject. From the start. I have this spreadsheet (which doesn't have a .exe file. It's a file that sits out in no man's land on drive D. Then what I do is I right-click and then send it to "the desktop". Then after I get it to the desktop, I right-click on that go down to properties, then right-click on target and go to the front of it, and type in C:\WINDOWS\explorer (name of the spreadsheet). After that, it creates another shortcut for me to paste down into the taskbar. I love it. Now I've looked at all the default icons that Windows has and I don't like them. So I would like to go to the net (where there are hundreds of them), and pick one. Once I download it, then I can change the icon.
Thanks
Dan

timlab55 said:

@Ghot - One last question before I sign off. How in the Heck can I get rid of that boody "One Drive" once and for all?
Thanks
Dan

Click to expand...

I used REVO Uninstaller (free), to uninstall OneDrive.
After the uninstall I had REVO scan for leftovers and remove them too.


I did NOT use the portable version of REVO Uninstaller.

timlab55 said:

@Ghot - One last question before I sign off. How in the Heck can I get rid of that boody "One Drive" once and for all?
Thanks
Dan

Click to expand...

You should be able to uninstall OneDrive like below.

@Ghot - I tried that program and OneDrive isn't listed. I guess I got rid of it, but I don't think so. So I followed Brink (long time ago), and I was thinking it was gone. So when I look at my C drive I see OneDrive. In fact, anytime I put something on my desktop, it goes to that folder. So am I seeing things? LOL I would like to have NOTHING go to any folder label OneDrive. As many has pointed out, I don't need big brother reading all my files.
Dan

That's how I got rid of it (REVO).
But I don't have my MS account hooked to Windows either.


Brink's tutorial in post #14 should work.

Then I'm wondering why when I add anything to my desktop it also adds it to a folder in my OS drive that is labeled "OneDrive"?

timlab55 said:

Then I'm wondering why when I add anything to my desktop it also adds it to a folder in my OS drive that is labeled "OneDrive"?

Click to expand...

Then I honestly don't know.
I removed it immediately when I installed Windows 10.
I never really installed Windows 11, I did an In-Place Upgrade from Win 10 to Win 11.

I've never had my MS account tied to my Windows install, and never used OneDrive.
Maybe once you use OneDrive it changes something?

I think so , unless Brink can charm in and say why.

timlab55 said:

I think so , unless Brink can charm in and say why.

Click to expand...

Might help to make a new topic like... How to completely remove OneDrive

Then you'll get help from more people that have removed it.