Solved Should I be able to use ICO files for Desktop Shortcut Icons?

Some new software created shortcuts on the desktop to a couple of its sites. The shortcut icons were significant to the site. But after a reboot, the icons reverted to generic Windows internet shortcut icons. I went into the properties of each shortcut and chose to change the icon, then browsed to the ICO files that I wanted to use. I selected them and applied them, but they don't change on the desktop. This is also occurring on my Windows 8.1 laptop.

Am I missing something? When looking for icons, shouldn't icon files be perfect?

I would load the icons in an icon editor. You can get the last free version of IcoFX on this page:
Last Freeware version: All Programs (listed alphabetically)

or use another. When loaded it should tell you the size of the icons, color depth etc..
Maybe they are not standard size or some other weird problem. Usually when Windows just drops an icon it shows a blank page icon instead. So it may be the icons themselves.

That may be a viable work-around, but my question remains unanswered. Should shortcuts be able to use ICO files?

I don't know the source of the original shortcut icons when the software was loaded and the shortcuts created, but I found the ICO files in the program's folder. I assume that's what was used. Still, will Windows Shortcuts use ICO files or must they be inside a DLL?

The change icon button knows how to load icons from .ico .exe .dll and perhaps several other file types. So yes it should load directly from an .ico file.

I had to reload the software, and the icons appear to be stable for now. I went into the properties of each and they are all URL shortcuts. When I click Change Icon, the file shown is SHELL32.dll. If I lose them again, I'll try seeing what they look like in an icon editor. I've had Microangelo loaded for years and never used it.

If they get the icon from shell32.dll there should be an index number. Shell32.dll has hundreds of icons. The index might be -64 as an example. If you make a note of it you may be able to load it back without having to paint.

MilesAhead said:

If they get the icon from shell32.dll there should be an index number. Shell32.dll has hundreds of icons. The index might be -64 as an example. If you make a note of it you may be able to load it back without having to paint.

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No, they don't get their icons from SHELL32.dll. The icons are specific to the application (WD MyCloud). I thought going into Change Icon would tell me where they're coming from, but it didn't.