File Extension Database

Open ICO File

File extension ICO is most commonly associated with an image file used for icons developed by Microsoft for use with the Windows operating system.

ICO files contain multiple images with varying dimensions and colour depths which allow icons to be displayed on various resolutions and display colour depths in a GUI (Graphical User Interface), and may represent a file, folder or application. ICO files have an almost identical file structure to CUR files, which are used to store cursor images for use in Windows.

Prior to Windows XP, ICO files could contain images anywhere between 1 x 1 pixels up to 255 x 255 pixels at 4, 8, 16 or 24-bit colour, though the most common sizes were 16 x 16 and 32 x 32 pixels to accommodate menu icons and large icon view respectively. ICO files also usually contained two bitmaps - an AND bitmap and an XOR bitmap - which were used in conjunction to provide transparency and inversion of colours on same-colour backgrounds. Windows XP brought support for 32-bit images in ICO files, with transparency taken from the 8-bit alpha channel. This allowed effects such as shadows and anti-aliasing to be applied to icons to improve their look. Windows Vista added support for 256 x 256 pixel compressed PNG images to be used as icons which also have inbuilt transparency removing the need for two separate images per icon.

ICO files are not images themselves - they are simply a container for multiple bitmaps (or File extension PNG images in Windows Vista) which can be used by the operating system as icons. An ICO file contains header information, which defines its file type, a directory, which stores information about each image contained within the file, and multiple icon images with varying resolutions and colour depths stored in bitmap or PNG format.

ICO files can be opened and edited by a number of applications including The GIMP, Irfanview, Pixelshop and Microangelo. Icons can then be applied to individual files and folders in Windows which allows users to customise their desktop and user interface.

Typical ICO application file locations:

"g:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 10.0\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe" /dde
c:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe /dde
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe" /dde
C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Photo Gallery\WLXPhotoGallery.exe /LaunchPhotoViewer /v "%1"

Typical ICO mime types:

image/x-icon

Frequently used application names to open ICO files:

Microsoft Visual Studio 10.0
Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0
Windows Live

Frequently associated Windows objects:

VisualStudio.ico.10.0
VisualStudio.ico.9.0
WindowsLive.PhotoGallery.ico.14.0

How Can I Open ICO File on Windows

We researched and learned that the best way to open ICO file is to find a ICO file in question in Windows OS File Explorer and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a ICO file is not opened in an application and you instead get a "Windows can't open a file" error message you should try looking for an application which can open the file in question.
If you know the application which can open ICO file then run it and see if there is a File->Open main menu option in the application.
If you don't know the application which function as ICO file opener then try to search online for "ICO viewer", "application to open ICO file" or "open ICO file" queries in the search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can open ICO file

How Can I Open ICO File on Mac OS

We recommend to find a ICO file in question in Mac OS Finder and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a ICO file is not opened in a Mac OS application and you instead get a "There is no application set to open the file" error message you can click on "Search App Store" in the error dialog and Mac OS will show you applications compatible with ICO file.
If you know the Mac OS application which can work as ICO file opener you can choose the "Choose Application..." option in the error box to associate the file extension and open ICO file in it.
If you don't know the application which can open ICO file then try to search for "ICO viewer", "application to open ICO file" or "read ICO file" queries in the online search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can read ICO file

How Can I Open ICO File on Android

If you downloaded a ICO file on Android device you can open it by following steps below:

In the Android apps list on your Android device find "My Files" or "File manager" app and tap to start it.
Tap on "Downloads" folder inside the app.
You should see your downloaded ICO file in that folder.
Tap on the file. If Android device supports opening the file you downloaded it will open in the corresponding app.
If file does not open you can look for the corresponding app that can open the file by searching Android App Store for the "ICO".
If you cannot open the file with the apps from Android App Store it is possible that the file could only be opened on desktop platforms such as Windows or Mac OS. Try searching for "ICO viewer", "ICO file reader" online and see if any desktop applications can open it.
It is also possible that the file you downloaded is outdated and is no longer supported.

How to Open ICO File on iPhone or iPad

To open ICO File on iOS device follow steps below:

We advies to open Files app on your iPhone or iPad device. You can find it by swiping down on the home screen and typing "Files" in the search bar.
Tap on the Downloads folder on the Files app home screen.
You will see all files that you recently downloaded. Tap on the ICO file to view it.
If you have the right app that can open it it will automatically launch and open your file.
If you don't have the app which can open it you need to serch Apple app store for "ICO". This way you can find apps which can open ICO files.
If this doesn't help it is possible that your file could be opened only by the desktop application. To find an app which can open it on desktop look for "ICO viewer" or "ICO file" online in your favorite search engine.