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.ico

Icon File

Commonly known as ICO

Standard format used for computer icons and favicons. developed by Microsoft and released in 1985, it has become a standard for Favicons, Desktop icons.

Key Features

  • Contains multiple resolutions
  • Standard for Windows/Web icons

Limitations

  • Limited use case
  • Inefficient for general images

When to use ICO?

The ICO format is ideal for Favicons, Desktop icons. Its MIME type is image/x-icon.

How to open .ico files

  1. macOS: Use native Preview/Quick Look or import into professional apps that support ICO.
  2. Windows: Open via Photos, Media Player, or dedicated editors by enabling the relevant codec pack.
  3. Browser: Drag the file into FileConvert to transform it into a universally supported alternative before sharing.

Popular Conversions

Convert ICO to...

ICO to JPG
ICO to PNG
ICO to WebP
ICO to AVIF
ICO to GIF
ICO to BMP

Convert to ICO

JPG to ICO
JPEG to ICO
PNG to ICO
WebP to ICO
AVIF to ICO
GIF to ICO

FAQs about ICO

How do I open a .ico file?

You can open ICO files with native tools on Mac, Windows, and Linux or convert them for free using FileConvert.

Is ICO still relevant in 2025?

ICO remains essential for Favicons thanks to its contains multiple resolutions benefit.

How do I convert ICO into other formats?

Visit our ICO conversion directory to switch between Icon File and 200+ alternatives without uploading files.