Would appreciate some "Geek" help, not about Train Sim exactly

[bootednancy]

Greeting "ladies & germs" as Alan Alda used to say:
I had to run a re-install of Consist Editor and TSRE5 (which will be changed to new v8 program) in a couple of days. Both programs have ICON (jepg??) files in their folders
which I figure are to be used to identify which shortcut and program .exe file is which as they are only represented on my desktop and in the respective folders as some computer scribble as a "box with gears" and some other nondescript object.

How do I get these graphics files into the program so it will appear as the icon represents........I started experimenting with putting one in the SYSTEM_32 folder, and that doesn't work as they don't show up in the window when you go to Properties/Change Icon function.

What's the key I am missing to get this to work????? Thanks for the help on this as computer geekiness is beyond TS and me????

[pwillard]

For folks who don't know how to change Icons...

Hover over the default icon for the application (the gear one) and right-click on it. Choose 'Properties' from the list that appears, then choose 'Change Icon'. You should get a pop-up telling you that there is not icon associated with the item (ConsidtEditor.bat, for example), which is fine, we already know that. Choose "OK" to proceed. You will see the SYSTEM DEFAULT Icon list appear. (You can choose from the system icon list, if you like... or... You hunt for the icon to be used. Any valid/compatible file can be used, even icons inside other EXE files. To go hunting, choose 'Browse' from the "Change Icon" window.

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To sort of answer your question...

If you want a custom ICON, they need proper formatting... Windows recognises ICO files or ICONS embedded in EXE files or DLL files.
It doesn't matter "where" the files live... it matters what the file type is.

So... you CAN convert your own JPG to an ICO file... if you have the right software, but there are also online converters, like: https://image.online-convert.com/convert-to-ico

That's probably the easiest way. You then need to place the resulting ICO file somewhere handy, like the TSRE folder, and use the CHANGE ICON process to assign it to your desired ICO file. (Again, the file itself can be anywhere)
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AND FINALLY...

The ICONS folder in the latest TSRE releases contains actual ICO files. I was able to browse to the TSRE8 install folder, and under ICONS, I could assign the "TSRECE.ICO" ICON to the TSRE Consist Editor Batch file without any files needing to be modified or moved.

[bootednancy]

Mr Pete:
Had a chance to get back at the "confuser" and your great directions. Once you know how, it was quick and I was able to change out both icons and things look a lot better than the "gearbox symbol", So I am up and running. Thing I overlooked, even when I put the icon in the System_32 folder.........was to Browse and find where they were to be highlighted and applied Thanks for your assistance.

Doug Nash