This page contains information on the ICO file extension (Windows Icon File), a popular image file format
ICO (Image)
| File extension | .ico |
| Category | Image File |
| Description | The .ico file extension is a file format that is used by Microsoft Windows to display an image to represent computer icons, such as programs, shortcuts, Start Menu items or directories. To associate an image with a file in Microsoft Windows a .ico file must be used. An example of an icon is the small computer image associated with 'My Computer' or the Notepad icon that is associated with the Notepad.exe application within Microsoft Windows. |
| Actions | View other image file formats |
| Technical Details | The .ico file type was introduced by the first edition of Windows and has slowly evolved in terms of maximum pixel size and the level of colour support. Windows 7 currently supports icon sizes up to 256 x 256 pixels at 32 bit (comprising 24 bit colour, and 8 bit transparency). However to ensure backwards compatibility with previous versions of Windows 8 bit versions are recommended. |
| Associated programs | Adobe Photoshop Microsoft Paint Windows Picture and Fax Viewer |
| Developed by | Microsoft |
| MIME type | image/ico image/x-icon application/ico application/x-ico application/x-win-bitmap image/x-win-bitmap application/octet-stream |
| Useful links | More info on ico files Guide to Windows ico files |