Create your own Windows XP icons in Paint

by Greg Shultz | Dec 20, 2006 8:00:00 AM

Tags: Greg Shultz, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows, Windows XP Tips Newsletter

Takeaway: Feeling creative? You can make your very own icons for your shortcuts with Windows XP's built-in Paint program. Here's how to paint yourself some new icons without having to clean brushes afterward.

Are you tired of searching the Internet for icons to use for your shortcuts? Then check out how easy it is to use Windows XP's Paint program to create your own icons. Follow these steps:

1. Launch Paint from the All Programs | Accessories menu.
2. Pull down the Image menu and select the Attributes command.
3. In the Attributes dialog box, type 32 in both the Width and Height boxes and click OK.
4. To make the image easier to work with, click the Magnifier tool and select the level 8 magnification setting.
5. Press [Ctrl]G to add gridlines.
6. Use the tools and colors to create your icon.
7. Press [Ctrl]S and save the file with an ICO extension.

You can now assign your custom icon to any shortcut you wish.

Note: This tip applies to both Windows XP Home and Windows XP Professional.

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Print/View all Posts Comments on this article

bproman bproman@... | 12/21/06

not on mine deICERAY | 12/21/06

DITTO! daleerice | 12/21/06

ICO NoGeekHere | 12/21/06

Saved but... Studwell44 | 12/21/06

No Problem NoGeekHere | 12/21/06

Thanks Studwell44 | 12/21/06

Just type it iansavell@... | 12/21/06

When U save, Just type .ICO on the end! phillips.re@... | 12/21/06

Another tip to create and save Studwell44 | 12/21/06

paint to ico kevinp.moran@... | 05/29/08

Any paint program FXEF | 12/21/06

paint icons Hobbits | 12/22/06

Huh! Computer Mechanic | 12/23/06

Huh! Computer Mechanic | 12/23/06

How true. jonpgenius | 12/24/06

Huh2?! jedtimmer@... | 01/06/07

When will this machine download? bproman@... | 12/21/06

Paint is like giving finger paints to Leonardo Da Vinci Round One from VA | 12/21/06

Not part of Office Suite ThumbsUp2 | 12/21/06

Not! NoGeekHere | 12/21/06

Paint.net tonious@... | 12/21/06

Message has been deleted. User.Booted | 12/21/06

What about white space mike@... | 12/22/06

Transparent Space? MentorCtl | 01/04/07

Photofiltre harold.bailey@... | 03/29/07

Meet Leonardo Da Vinci the II jonpgenius | 12/22/06

Wow....speechless kattoon | 03/29/07

This messed up my Paint program bobbi.gold@... | 01/06/07

RE: Create your own Windows XP icons in Paint amakajaku@... | 11/29/07