What Is This Tool?
This tool allows you to convert ICO image files, which are Windows icon containers, into the BMP (Bitmap) image format. The BMP format provides uncompressed, lossless images suitable for precise editing and Windows-native applications.
How to Use This Tool?
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Upload your ICO file containing one or more icon sizes
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Select BMP as the output format
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Click the convert button to start the conversion process
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Download the resulting BMP file for use in editing or embedding
Key Features
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Online conversion from ICO to BMP image format
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Preserves exact pixel data for lossless editing
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Supports multi-resolution Windows icon files
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Simple and fast browser-based tool with no installation required
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Produces BMP files compatible with Windows applications and legacy software
Examples
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Convert an application icon (.ico) to BMP for detailed editing in Windows image editors
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Extract individual icon sizes from a multi-resolution ICO file and save them as BMP for software resource use
Common Use Cases
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Editing Windows executable or shortcut icons with exact pixel fidelity
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Storing high-quality icon bitmaps for use in legacy software that requires BMP input
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Extracting icon images from ICO files to embed in custom system tools or drivers
Tips & Best Practices
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Use BMP format when lossless pixel accuracy is essential
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Remember ICO files typically contain small icons; BMP files may be larger in size
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Check compatibility of BMP files with your target software before conversion
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Avoid relying on ICO transparency when converting to BMP, as BMP alpha support varies
Limitations
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BMP files are typically larger due to minimal or no compression, making them less efficient for storage or web use
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ICO files usually contain small images; BMP is not suitable for large photographic images
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Transparency and alpha channel support in BMP is limited or inconsistent depending on header versions
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Some ICO PNG-compressed entries may not convert perfectly due to format differences
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why convert ICO files to BMP format?
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Converting ICO to BMP allows for lossless editing and compatibility with Windows-native applications that require uncompressed bitmap images.
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Can BMP files hold multiple icon resolutions like ICO?
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No, BMP stores a single image. ICO files can contain multiple images at different sizes and color depths.
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Are BMP files suitable for web use?
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BMP files are generally not used on the web due to large file sizes and lack of compression.
Key Terminology
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ICO
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A Windows icon file format that contains one or more small bitmaps or PNG images at multiple sizes and color depths.
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BMP (Bitmap)
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A raster image format developed by Microsoft that stores pixel data uncompressed or with simple RLE compression, supporting multiple bit depths.
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Pixel Data
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The actual image information stored as color values for each pixel in a raster image.