How to Use a Bitmap Image as a 16-Color Icon in Windows

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To use a bitmap image as a 16-color icon, rename the .bmp file to a file with an .ico extension. To do so, follow these steps:

1. In Windows Explorer, click Options on the View menu.
2. Click the "Hide MS-DOS extensions for file types that are registered" check box to clear it, and then click OK.
3. Locate the .bmp file you want to use as an icon.
4. Use the right mouse button to click the .bmp file, and then click Rename on the menu that appears. Rename the file to a file with an .ico extension.

Windows automatically recognizes that you want to use the bitmap image as an icon. The image is resized to icon size and converted to 16 colors.

To use the .ico file as an icon for a shortcut, follow these steps:

1. Use the right mouse button to click the shortcut, and then click Properties on the menu that appears.
2. On the Shortcut tab, click Change Icon.
3. Type the name of the .ico file in the File Name box, or click Browse and locate the .ico file.
4. Click OK, and then click OK.