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How to Convert ICO to BMP - Step by Step Guide

Step 1

Upload Your ICO File

Start by uploading your ICO favicon file. Works with single-size and multi-size ICO files:

Click to upload: Click the upload area or "Upload" button to select your ICO file
Drag and drop: Drag favicon.ico directly into the upload area
Try the sample: Click "Sample" to see demo ICO conversion
Privacy guaranteed: Processing happens in your browser - files never uploaded

Understanding ICO Files

ICO files can contain multiple images as explained by MDN Web Docs:

Multi-size container: One ICO may hold 6+ sizes (16×16 to 256×256)
Largest extracted: This tool extracts the largest size available
Uncompressed output: BMP format preserves all pixel data
Step 2

Preview the Extracted Icon

Once uploaded, you'll see a preview of the extracted favicon image. The converter will display:

Icon preview: Visual preview of the extracted image
File information: Original ICO file name and size
Extracted dimensions: Size of the extracted image (largest from ICO)
Step 3

Automatic Conversion

The conversion happens automatically and instantly after upload using the HTML5 Canvas API. No convert button needed!

Instant extraction: Largest size extracted from multi-size ICO
BMP conversion: Uncompressed bitmap output
Quality maintained: Pixel-perfect conversion
Local processing: Everything happens on your device
Step 4

Download Your BMP

Once conversion is complete (automatic!), you have these options:

Download as BMP: Click "Download" to save as .bmp file
Copy to clipboard: Click "Copy" for quick usage in apps
Edit in Windows Paint: Open directly in Paint for modifications
Convert more: Use "Clear" button to process another ICO

Common Use Cases

Popular reasons to extract favicon to BMP:

Windows editing: Edit extracted icon in Windows Paint
Legacy systems: Use in older Windows applications
Pixel art: Extract for pixel-perfect modifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Which size is extracted from multi-size ICO files?

This tool automatically extracts the largest resolution from the ICO file. For example, if your favicon.ico contains 16×16, 32×32, and 256×256 versions, the 256×256 version will be extracted and converted to BMP for maximum quality.

Why are BMP files so large?

BMP is an uncompressed format that stores every pixel without compression. This results in larger file sizes but also means perfect quality preservation. If you need smaller files, consider using our ICO to PNG converter instead.

Can I edit the BMP in Windows Paint?

Yes! BMP is the native format for Windows Paint. You can open, edit, and save BMP files in Paint, making it perfect for quick icon modifications or adjustments.

Is my data safe when using this converter?

Absolutely! All conversion happens in your browser using JavaScript and the Canvas API. Your ICO files never leave your device, ensuring complete privacy and security per W3C security standards.

Does BMP support transparency?

Standard BMP files don't support transparency. If your ICO has transparency, it will be converted to a solid color (typically white) background. For transparency preservation, use our ICO to PNG converter as recommended by W3C PNG specification.

Can I convert the BMP back to ICO?

Yes! You can use our BMP to ICO converter to convert your BMP image back to a multi-size ICO favicon. This is useful if you edited the icon in Paint and want to use it as a favicon again. Check browser support for favicon formats.