Extracting icon data from executable files

[John Fritch]

If I read a VB-produced .exe file into a byte array, how and where would I find the bytes for that executable's icon(s)? I'm developing an application that will allow users to substitute their icons and data into the .exe file for a specific second application without modifying the executable code in that .exe file. Windows obviously has no trouble finding the icon data in a VB (or any other) executable, as such icons are displayed in Windows Explorer, My Computer, etc. Once again I reveal my ignorance on operating system basics.

John Fritch

[Yonatan]

Do you want to read the icon from the EXE, or write an icon to an EXE.
If you want to just read the icon, use the ExtractAssociatedIcon API. I'll give you the declaration, since the one in the API viewer is wrong.

Declare Function ExtractAssociatedIcon Lib "shell32.dll" Alias "ExtractAssociatedIconA" (ByVal hInst As Long, ByVal lpIconPath As String, lpiIcon As Long) As Long

Add Private to the beginning if you need to.

If you need to write an icon to an EXE, you need to learn and understand the EXE format. (Easy to say )

[John Fritch]

Thanks, but I need to write (actually, replace) the icon data in the .exe file.

John Fritch

[Yonatan]

You can check this site for file formats: http://wotsit.org/
However, that site is currently (at the time of posting) down.
Random crash? Conspiracy? BLAME CANADA! (No offense to Canadians, I just watch South Park too much)