How to Convert a JPG Image to an Icon

Use Microsoft Paint to Make Icons

JPEG (.jpg) images may be converted to the ICON (.ico) file type with a simple graphics editing application. Several such applications are available on the market today. Two high-end graphics editors are Adobe products: Fireworks and Photoshop. However, converting a JPG file to an ICO file may be accomplished by using a program that is shipped with all Microsoft Windows operating systems. Microsoft Paint will convert graphics files into other file types, including icon bitmaps.

Instructions

1. Click the Windows "Start" option and then click the "All Programs" option.

2. Click the "Accessories" folder to expand and reveal the sub-links.

3. Click the "Paint" link in the Accessories category. The Microsoft Paint application will launch.

4. Click the "File" link from the top menu bar, and then click "Open" from the File menu. A file navigation window will appear.

5. Navigate to the JPG file to convert. Click on the JPG file and then click the "OK" button to open the file in Paint.

6. Resize the JPG in Paint by dragging and dropping the bottom right corner of the graphic inward toward the center. Icons are generally 16 pixels by 16 pixels. Though a larger graphic will resize to the icon-specific size once converted, to preserve the quality and appearance of the graphic, size the graphic prior to conversion.

7. Click the "File" option from the top menu bar and click "Save As..." from the File menu.

8. Select the "24-bit Bitmap" option from the "File Type" drop-down list.

9. Type the file name of the new icon file, along with the file extension of ".ico," into the "File Name" input box. If the file extension is not visible, include the file name and extension in quotes to force the renaming of the extension (i.e., "filename.ico"--with quotes).

References

• Tech Nascent: How to Convert JPG Images to ICO
• FileInfo: ICO File Extension

Resources

• Online Tech Tips: How to Convert BMP to JPG