How to open a .ico file
Quick, free ways to open ICO on any system.
A .ico file is a Windows Icon file. If double-clicking does nothing, your computer simply does not have an app that reads ICO yet. Here is how to fix that on each operating system, using free software wherever possible.
Open a .ico file step by step
- Confirm the file really is a .ico. Drop it into the WhatFileType file identifier, which reads its signature without uploading anything.
- On Windows, open it with IrfanView or GIMP.
- On Mac, use Preview (view only) or GIMP.
- On Linux, try GIMP or Image Viewer.
- Still stuck? Convert the .ico to PNG, which opens more widely.
Best apps to open .ico files
Windows
- IrfanView
- GIMP
- Paint.NET
- browsers
macOS
- Preview (view only)
- GIMP
Linux
- GIMP
- Image Viewer
Web
- Browsers, as favicons
!
Before you open it: Safe. ICO is an image resource and does not execute.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I open my .ico file?
Almost always because no installed app understands ICO. Install one of the apps above, or convert the file to a format your existing software already reads.
How do I make a favicon ICO?
Create a square PNG at 32x32 or larger, then convert it to ICO. Many ICO files include several sizes in one so the browser can pick the best.