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How to: Add Icons to Device Projects

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Different smart devices display various types of icons. To encompass most Windows Mobile-based devices, your application's icon resource should include the following icon types:

  • 32x32, 256 color

  • 32x32, 16 color

  • 32x32, 2 color

  • 16x16, 256 color

  • 16x16 16 color

  • 16x16 2 color

Generally, 32x32 icons are used in the programs folder whereas 16x16 icons are used in the taskbar, the start menu, and file explorer. Also, most devices use the 256-color icon, but older and custom devices may use the 16-color or monochrome icon.

Note

Your computer might show different names or locations for some of the Visual Studio user interface elements in the following instructions. The Visual Studio edition that you have and the settings that you use determine these elements. For more information, see Visual Studio Settings.

To add icons in Visual C++ device projects

  1. Open your Visual C++ device project in Visual Studio.

  2. In Solution Explorer, expand Resource Files, and then double-click the .ico file.

    The Image Editor appears.

  3. On the Image menu, click New Image Type and add the missing icon types such as 16x16, Monochrome and 32x32, Monochrome.

  4. (Optional)Remove unnecessary icon types such as 48x48 icons, which current Pocket PCs do not display. To do this:

    1. On the Image menu, point to Current Icon Image Types, and then click the unsupported icon type to select it.

    2. On the Image menu, click Delete Image Type.

  5. Edit the different icon types to look alike.

To add icons in Visual C# or Visual Basic device projects

  1. Open your Visual C# or Visual Basic device project in Visual Studio.

  2. In Solution Explorer, right-click your project and then click Properties.

    The Project Designer appears.

  3. In Project Designer, click the Resources tab.

  4. Click the Add Resource drop-down list and then click Add New Icon.

    The Add New Resource dialog box appears.

  5. Type a name for the new icon and click Add.

    The Icon Editor appears with two types of the new icon.

  6. On the Image menu, click New Image Type and add the missing icon types such as 16x16, 1 bit, 16x16, 8 bit, 32x32, 1 bit, and 32x32, 8 bit.

  7. Edit the different icon types to look alike.

  8. In the Project Designer, click the Application tab.

  9. In the Icon drop-down list, select the icon resource you created.

See Also

Other Resources

Design Considerations for Smart Device Development