Linking and Embedding icon for a non-executable file

Question

Linking and Embedding icon for a non-executable file

BoQsc 1

I want to embed an Icon inside .c file, move it to another computer and see the icon on a .c file, without the modifications to the system files, user files or operating system itself.

Example of not very useful solution: I'm aware of desktop.ini method. It is not viable, desktop.ini method requires manual editing of an external user-system file.

There is an interpreter that can run ANSI .c script files called Tiny C Compiler.
I'd like to have custom icons for some of these files. Similar to .exe resources.

I see that .lnk link files and website link files are capable to change the icons.

![46929-image.png ]2

If you have any input on this idea, any explanation or a link - that might be helpful - please share.

Would it be possible to embed and use icons in a similar way on .c files I mentioned before. Not for filetype, but for every specific .c file.

Related idea (for the executables):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resource\_(Windows)
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/framework/tools/winres-exe-windows-forms-resource-editor
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/menurc/resources-overviews

3 answers

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Answer 1

WhTurner 1,611

As this is not a question about the Small Basic language, you shoukd remove the small-basic-featured-program tag from this topic.
l

BoQsc 1 Reputation point

2020-12-11T16:29:31.747+00:00

Ok, removed. Thanks.

Answer 2

Castorix31 90,681

A .c file is a Text file : you cannot embed an icon inside
A .lnk file is a Binary file and the icon location is embedded in a structure (StringData)

BoQsc 1 Reputation point

2020-12-11T16:27:41.95+00:00

I do believe you can embed an icon inside, only that Windows won't look for it or make any use of it.
For example you can embed an icon to a hta file that is also a text file by using: copy /b
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/175994/can-i-embed-an-icon-to-a-hta-file

I really need to find a way for Windows systems to detect
the embedded icons in Text files the same way as for Binaries.

I still have a hope that it is not file type dependent feature.
Castorix31 90,681 Reputation points

2020-12-11T16:38:38.447+00:00

A .hta is interpreted
A .c must be compiled
(you could just set the icon as binary in an array for example and extract it...)
BoQsc 1 Reputation point

2020-12-11T18:35:30.627+00:00

That's a great idea, if the program is to be installed and suppose to be not completely portable.

In general.
I have a feeling to accomplish what i'm asking in this question might require some kind of binary injection into the ".c" source file for the Windows Desktop to recognize and show the icon on the Desktop.

But even this is highly theoretical, and only a hypothesis at best.

Even if that did work, we still might need to find a way to compile that ".c" source file without triggering the compilation errors. Which mean the compiler should be modified to read source file starting at specific line.

Answer 3

Hi, @BoQsc You cannot embed an icon inside in side the .c file.
For the .lnk link files, the properties page usually use SetIconLocation to change icon, the link file does not own the icon itself but refers to the icon whose index is iIcon in the pszIconPath file. Can you share the reason that you want to embed the icon in the C file?

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Linking and Embedding icon for a non-executable file

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