where are windows icons located?

[gujuguy007]

I was wondering where windows icons were located. I tried to do a search for .ico, but couldn't find any XP themed icons...like the ones that show up on your desktop. Is there a specific folder I can go to and find all the XP/Explorer icon files?

 

[LiLithTecH]

The DEFAULT Windows XP icons are stored in the SHELL32.DLL file
located in the Windows\SYSTEM32 directory.

 

[phray]

these icons are inside of SHELL32.dll
if you'd like to see them you can create a shortcut to a file that doesn't have a dll inside (like a txt file). then right click the shortcut -> properties -> change icon.

i used to have a program that would show you everything inside of a dll, but that was a long time ago, and i can't remember what it was called.

 

[gujuguy007]

hmm..interesting..i wonder if there is any way i can reference that dll file to show an icon in an application that i'm creating.

anyways..thanks for the help.

 

[eklass]

you could always extract them from the dll and import them to your app

 

[shortylickens]

Go to Download.com and search for Icon software.
There are many free apps that will let you search for ALL icons on your HDD and then look at all the different sizes, export them, and even organize into a favorites .ico file. Some will even let you edit old ones or make your own, those usually cost $20.
Many high-end graphics apps like Corel or Adobe will also import and export .ico's.

 

[RVN]

LiquidIcon XP Editor is a very small, simple, free and unobtrusive program that doesn't require an installer. It will extract those icons for you.