How to Extract an Icon Image from an EXE File

How to Extract an Icon Image from an EXE File

This guide will walk you through extracting icon images from an executable (EXE) file using 7-Zip. This method allows you to access icon resources within EXE files and save them as .ico files.

Requirements
  1. 7-Zip: Ensure 7-Zip is installed on your computer
    If you dont have 7-Zip installed: Installing 7-Zip
  1. Find the EXE file from which you want to extract the icon
    Right-click on the EXE file
    Select Show more options

  2. Hover your mouse over 7-Zip to display it's menu
    Select Open archive

  3. Select and open the .rsrc folder
  4. Select and open the ICON subfolder

  5. Select all the files in the ICON subfolder

  6. Once all files are selected, drag them over to another folder of your choice.
  7. Some files may not have a file extension. Rename each file by only adding the .ico extension (example, 1.ico, 4.ico)
    (This converts the extracted files into a format compatible with image viewers and applications that use icon files.)

  • File Naming: Be mindful of the original file names when renaming to .ico to avoid confusion.
  • Viewing Icons: You can view .ico files with any compatible image viewer or icon editor.