File Extension

ICO File Format

Icon (Microsoft Windows 3.x)

ICO is an image file format for icons on Windows. ICO file format was first introduced with Windows 1 in 1985. ICO is used to store files, programs and folders. ICO file format is very similar to .CUR files, which are used for mouse cursors. The only main difference between the two is the identification byte in the header.

ICO file format is also similar to the .ICNS file format that is used for icons on Macs. An icon library can be made to package .ICO files by creating a file with an .ICL extension. In web design, an .ICO file can be used to create a small website logo which appears next to the URL in the address bar.

MIME: image/vnd.microsoft.icon, image/ico, image/x-icon, application/ico, application/x-ico, application/x-win-bitmap, image/x-win-bitmap, application/octet-stream

Learn more about .ICO files:

Read more about .ICO files on Wikipedia.

Search for .ICO-related questions on IT Knowledge Exchange.

This was last updated in July 2010
Editorial Director Margaret Rouse
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