How to change windows Applicatoin's default icon in Setup Project

c# .net desktop desktop-application
Azhar picture Azhar · Jan 11, 2010 · Viewed 59.3k times · Source

How to change the Windows Application's default icon with other one in C# desktop application. I am trying to change it in Setup Project but it is not. I want to show my own icon with Application's shortcut rather then windows default icon

Answer

Jeff Roe picture Jeff Roe · Sep 30, 2010

It is truly odd that when you are creating a deployment (set up) project, and you create a shortcut to the "Primary output" (an .exe), the shortcut does not automatically get the .exe's icon. Instead it gets a generic document shortcut icon. Some of the answers here suggest adding an .ico file to the installer, but that certainly feels wrong. You can get the desired icon into the shortcut without adding an .ico file.

Assuming you have already given your program the desired icon,

  • In the solution explorer, right click on the installation project and go to "View -> File System".
  • in the File System window, find the shortuct whose icon you want to change (for example, under "Users's Programs Menu")
  • go to the shortcut Properties (right-click and pick "Properties Window")
  • go to Icon
  • Browse...
  • change "Files of type" to *.exe
  • browse to and select your "primary output"
  • OK, OK

And as serhio pointed out, a similar process can set the icon for the Control Panel's "Add or Remove Programs" list.

Related questions

C#: Get complete desktop size?

How do I find out the size of the entire desktop? Not the "working area" and not the "screen resolution", both of which refer to only one screen. I want to find out the total width and height of the …

Read More
Change desktop wallpaper using code in .NET

How can I change the desktop wallpaper using C# Code?

Read More
How to hide desktop icons programmatically?

How can I show/hide the desktop icons programmatically, using C#? I'm trying to create an alternative desktop, which uses widgets, and I need to hide the old icons.

Read More