Some times it becomes necessary to change the icon of an executable file so that the file gets a new appearance. Many of the tools such as TuneUP Winstyler does this job by adjusting the Windows to display a custom icon to the user. But, in reality if the file is carried to a different computer, then it shows its original icon itself.
This means that in order to permanently change the icon, it is necessary to modify the executable file and embed the icon inside the file itself. When this is done the executable file’s icon is changed permanently, so that even if you take file to a different computer it show’s a new icon.
For this purpose I have found a nice tool which will modidify the executable file and embed the icon of your choice into the file itself. ie: The tool changes the icon of the executable file permanently.
How to Change the Executable File Icon?
Here is a step-by-step instruction on how to use this tool to change the icon of any EXE file:
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Go to www.shelllabs.com and download the trial version of IconChanger and install it (Works on XP, Vista and Win 7).
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Run the IconChanger program from Start -> All Programs and you should see an interface as shown below:
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Now you will see a window stating that “Choose an object whose icon you want to change”. Click on the “OK” button.
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Now select the executable file for which you wish to change the icon.
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Icon changer will automatically search for all the icons on your “C:\ drive” so that you can select any one of those. If your desired icon is not shown in the window, you may paste the path of your icon file in the field which says “Search icons in” so that your desired icon gets displayed.
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Select the ICON of your choice and click on Set button.
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Now a popup window will appear and ask you to select from either of these two options.
- Change embeded icon.
- Adjust Windows to display custom icon.
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Select the first option (Change embedded icon). You are done. The icon gets changed.
I hope you like this post. Pass your comments in case if you have any queries or clarifications.
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Cool,thanks for the info,was looking for something like this
zenith says
Great but need more.
@ zenith
What more u need? If u have ny problem share it…
@ Saj
Restart the system and try…
make sure you select the option (Change embeded icon) while changing the icon
me, comming with problems says
it doesn t works i tryed but doens t works i pressed change embeded icon and it doesn t works im on linux …
@ me, comming with problems
It only works on Windows and not on Linux..
sushant says
hats offto u srikanth
Aghaamou says
Very Thanks…
Neel says
hello srikanth i am using Torbo C++ to compile .c file however i am not able to change the ico nof the generated .exe file ?? which compiler do you use ???
@ Neel
You need to use a 32-bit compiler to change the icon of the compiled executable. I guess you are using a 16-bit compiler…
It’s great.. tnx bro.. 🙂
karthi says
good think…… but i can’t change c prog .exe file icons…
@ karthi
You need to compile C progras in 32-bit compiler to change the .exe icon. I suppose you’re using a 16-bit compiler.
karthi says
sorry i got it…. sir
Bhargavi Goswami says
Thanks, its so easy and useful.
maui says
Great stuff…
soumik says
very usefull application…thnx…keep it up…
Neolite says
Thanks for sharing nice information.
I have not tried but i know it will work becouse you are genious
d_a_r_k says
First of all thank you for this awesome tool, but I’ve encountered a problem when i try to change icon for a large .exe file. It doesn’t seem to change even after rr
any suggestions?
Nice tool. Thanks for sharing.
[email protected] says
hi!!!!! sir i am following your site and i want to know how did you do this i mean is their any institute which teaches this if yes then sir please tell me or if you can mail me please sir i will wait for your mail
Aristide says
sorry, i read your guide to make a trojan horse that occupys disk space, but i am afraid of damaging my computer because im a noob, can you help me plz?
victor says
wonderful!!
nid1123 says
hi it is nice tool.
can u tell me the direct website to download the
linux operating system ? please tell me.
sashank says
nice and coll,hot and spicy tricks want some more….
hats off
Thnx yar
Whit3 says
thanks helped a lot man 😀
anku says
hiee…. srikant
m new to ur site n’d it’s very much interesting…..
thnk’s 4 sharing ur knowledge…
can u let me know which book i must refer in order to make viruses….
in c or c++ n’d also 4 creating d desktop applications???
shan says
hai srikanth
i liked ur creativities bt how can i change a 16bit compiler to 32 bit compiler.
shreeprakash says
hai sir,
will this work in win7
@ shreeprakash
It should work on Win 7 32-bit edition. But not sure about 64-bit.
thanks dude grt work.
[email protected]@n says
Great work sir……….im ur fan…….but can u give some more detail explanation of the logic (c code)………..not for this one……all.
Arpit says
Many thanks, Srikanth.. I love you
Rakesh (Roorkee) says
This worked Indeed.
I am waiting for further tricks.
Lowen says
i must confess that this site has been of great benefit to me as a visitor. i’m luking 4wrd 2 becoming one of u guyz. how do i register?
Ølars says
Worked on many exes, but some exes dont work!
When i run the program an alert prompts me:’Not a valid win32 application’.
I have choosed ‘change embedded icon’
I have not a trial.
What to do?????!
@ Ølars
The exe file must be a Win32 application, that means it should be 32-bit only. You get the above error only if the executable file is not of 32-bit (may be it is 16/64 bit).
n33r0 says
You cannot change the icon of an executable file if it has been compressed. When I say compressed, I mean packed like UPX exe packer and not archived like zip or rar.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executable_compression
Therefore, not all executables’ resources like icons can be changed by resource editors like Icon Changer.
@ n33r0
Thanks for your input 🙂
san says
thanx………..
to share useful information.
ajboy says
nice tools.. it works like shooting star..it helps me alot
Anju says
Thanks
snn546 says
hi, i’m running win7 x64.
i’m not able to change the icon for VLC application. it keeps givin me the error that
“cannot open vlc. close any program that might be using the file”
i’ve tried restarting the pc and closing everything, but stil it dsnt work. any ideas??
sunny says
really its work thank U frinz
Hi thanx for this cool application but the window did not poped up (Point No 7)as u said and it can be used for only 3 changes. And when u uninstall it; it reverse all changes. Any help for this
@ Mahesh M. Kadam
Use the full version of the software so that it should work fine…
Token says
When I want to change an icon of EXE file…it warns can not change some icon(s)… please help me.
Pondo23 says
Nice work,i was looking for this since 2008 finally am there thanks for your effort…
zubair says
i want to change the icons back to its earlier position, now what shall i do?
also u doing a commendable job…
Rohini says
Hai Mr.srikanth , not only this but also every informations given by you are very useful to every one who are in my level. I realy say thanks for providing the basic knowledge about virus, ip address detection,etc.,
@ Rohini
Thanks you for your feedback 🙂
rahul says
Does it work for win7?
@ rahul
Yes it does work for Win 7!
akash says
hi bro,please can you tell me what turbo compiler,c+ and all those stuff means,send it in email,jst tryin to create virus,trojan but couldnt pliz help yaar
ashish rana says
Hii
frnd
can u please tell me that does it also works in windows 7.
plz reply me fast
@ ashish rana
Yes it works!
ipod889 says
Hi, I can’t find the “Change Icon” button in the right click menu. It works for non-exe files but for some reason it wouldnt for exe’s. Can you please help me?
sofi_mukhtar says
hiii sir,
i tried that icon changer but it didn’t work with exe files and asks “can’t change some exe files” somthing like that.
please help me…
Ararsa says
Thanks great idea. But how can i named my file to .exe after i create my virus in quincy2005 c++ compiler?
Ishaan says
Use ‘File Renamer Basic’..
@Srikanth Thank you for the info. Much useful to me. Works with Windows 8 too ! 🙂
Chan says
Thank you .. this is great program !!
hello…gogi bro,
when i follow the step by step procedure as u have written. in the end it shows the message “icon cannot be changed” whwt to do
Ashwini says
great job !!