I need to know the specs of Windows icon *.ico files

[Ben321]

I want to be able to make a program that can extract icons that are 32x32 or 48x48 size. I have found free icon extractors that can take icons out of EXE files, but since ALL of the free extractors I've found don't have decent documentation on their websites (not even to tell me if they handle 32x32 or 48x48 icons) I assume the programs are made on the quick and ONLY handle 32x32 icons. On the other hand, ALL of the ones that specifically state the size of the icons they can extract (espcially if that size is 48x48) are for sale, and include watermarks on the extracted icons in the trial version of the software. I'm tempted to do the illegal thing and try to find a keygen for the software, but I want to stay legal. So I need to know the specs of the EXACT format of Windows *.ico files, as well as the way *.ico files are stored inside of *.exe files, because I plan to use VB6 to program my OWN icon extractor software to meet my needs. Can someone please provide me with the info I'll need here, before I embark on what might be a very tough program to make?

[DigiRev]

Icons are stored in resources...

You can try this or this.

[Ben321]

Icons are stored in resources...

You can try this or this.

Sorry, but I'm not interested in VB code. I want to make my own code so I know what I'm doing with it. What I need help for that I'm asking for help is only 2 things:
1) what are the specs for the *.ico icon file format
2) what are the official specs for how icons are to be stored in a resource file (such as icons embeded in an exe file)

[BytePtr]

Google!!

http://www.wotsit.org/ contains specs for all your needs.

The key is here to know how to use Google.

[LaVolpe]

As BytePtr suggested: wotsit. I learned all I needed to know from searching MSDN for icon specs.

You will have to deal with PNG images embedded in Vista icon files. Though most PNG images are sized 256x256, I have seen PNGs in other sizes embedded in icons. What does this mean? It means you should be able to identify a PNG within the icon structure, extract the PNG data and pass it off to another routine for processing if desired. And if no desire to use the PNG, you still need to recognize them so your icon parser can skip that entry and doesn't crash. Tip: PNGs in Vista icons contain the PNG signature 8 bytes as the first 8 bytes where you'd expect the bitmap info header.

BTW: You are not being "legal" by extracting icons from executables & neither is any resource hacker. Those icons and other resources may be copyrighted and extracting them may be theft.