How to download and use an icon?

Icons on this web site and elsewhere on the internet are available either as individual .ico files or as zipped collections of multiple .ico files.

How to download a single icon?

Individual icons can be downloaded by clicking on a large blue "Download" button (with a floppy disk image) that is available on the web page with icon details.

Individual icons can also be downloaded by clicking a small floppy disk links on icon set pages.

In any case, after you click the link, the next action depends on the web browser you are using and how is that web browser configures. There are two typical scenarios:

• A small window pops up asking you what you want to do with the downloaded file. Choose to "Save" it. (Do NOT choose to "Open" it.) After you have made that choice, your browser may ask you where to save the icon or it may save it to a predefined folder.
• The file is automatically downloaded to a predefined location.

Now you must locate the file on your computer. If you do not know the location of the file, please consult the help section of your web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Opera, etc.). Typically, you will find the file somewhere in your Documents folder. In some cases, the file will be shown in your web browser and you can drag and drop it to a location of your choice.

If you have successfully downloaded a file, you'll end up with an .ico file in a folder of your choice.

How to download an icon set?

All icons in a single icon set can be downloaded at once. To do this click a large round blue button with the icon set identifier.

After clicking the button, follow the same instructions as when downloading an individual .ico file.

You'll end up with a .zip file with all icons of the selected icon set.

You need to extract the individual .ico files before you can use them. There are several ways to extract the icons. For example, right-click the .zip file, select "Extract All" from the context menu and then follow the wizard.

Using the icons

Icons can be used to customize shortcuts, folders or USB sticks.
Here's how to apply icons on shortcuts (assuming you have Windows 7 or newer):

1. Right click a shortcut of your choice (signified by the shortcut icon on the bottom left of the icon) and click Properties in the pop-up menu.
2. A window titled "{shortcut name} Properties" should show up. Click on Change Icon...
3. In the Change Icon window, click Browse to locate your specified .ico file. Click OK in the window once it is selected.
4. To apply the icon to the shortcut, click OK or Apply. The icon should now show up on that specified shortcut.

For applying icons on Folders:

1. Right click a folder of your choice and click Properties in the pop-up menu.
2. In the {folder name} Properties window, click the Customize tab and click Change Icon... under Folder icons.
3. Click Browse in the change icon window and locate the specified .ico file.
4. Click OK when done and click either OK or Apply to apply the icon.

You can also create tiny shortcuts to web pages with embedded icons using this free online tool.