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Setting the Application Icon

However, in order to change the icon of the executable application file itself, as it is presented on the desktop (i.e. prior to application execution), it is necessary to employ another, platform-dependent technique.

Setting the Application Icon on Windows

First, create an ICO format bitmap file that contains the icon image. This can be done with e.g. Microsoft Visual C++: Select "File->New...", then select the "File" tab in the dialog that appears, and choose "Icon". (Note that you do not need to load your application into Visual C++; here we are only using its icon editor).

Store the ICO file in the source code directory of your application, say with the name "myappico.ico". Then, create a text file called e.g. "myapp.rc", and let it contain this single line of text:

IDI_ICON1               ICON    DISCARDABLE     "myappico.ico"

Lastly, assuming you are using tmake to generate your makefiles, add this line to your "myapp.pro" file:

RC_FILE = myapp.rc

Regenerate your makefile and your application. The .exe file will now be represented with your icon in e.g. Explorer.

If you do not use tmake, the necessary steps are: First, run the "rc" program on the .rc file, then link your application with the resulting .res file.