Icon Extraction from System DLLs

This document demonstrates how to extract icons from Windows system DLLs (imageres.dll and shell32.dll) using the Krypton Toolkit.

Overview

The Krypton Toolkit provides easy-to-use methods for extracting icons from two important Windows system DLLs:

imageres.dll: Modern Windows icons (Vista and later)
shell32.dll: Classic Windows icons (available since early Windows versions)

Usage Examples

Extracting Icons from imageres.dll

using Krypton.Toolkit;

// Extract a UAC shield icon
var shieldIcon = GraphicsExtensions.ExtractIconFromImageres(
    (int)ImageresIconID.Shield, 
    IconSize.Medium
);

// Extract a lock icon
var lockIcon = GraphicsExtensions.ExtractIconFromImageres(
    (int)ImageresIconID.Lock, 
    IconSize.Large
);

// Extract a user icon with small size
var userIcon = GraphicsExtensions.ExtractIconFromImageres(
    (int)ImageresIconID.User, 
    IconSize.Small
);

// Use the icon with a button
if (shieldIcon != null)
{
    myButton.Values.Image = shieldIcon.ToBitmap();
}

Extracting Icons from shell32.dll

using Krypton.Toolkit;

// Extract a folder icon
var folderIcon = GraphicsExtensions.ExtractIconFromShell32(
    (int)Shell32IconID.Folder, 
    IconSize.Medium
);

// Extract a computer icon
var computerIcon = GraphicsExtensions.ExtractIconFromShell32(
    (int)Shell32IconID.Computer, 
    IconSize.Large
);

// Extract a network icon
var networkIcon = GraphicsExtensions.ExtractIconFromShell32(
    (int)Shell32IconID.Network, 
    IconSize.ExtraLarge
);

// Extract a recycle bin icon
var recycleBinIcon = GraphicsExtensions.ExtractIconFromShell32(
    (int)Shell32IconID.RecycleBinEmpty, 
    IconSize.Small
);

// Use the icon with a picture box
if (folderIcon != null)
{
    myPictureBox.Image = folderIcon.ToBitmap();
}

Available Icon Sizes

The IconSize enum provides standard sizes:

Size	Dimensions
`IconSize.Tiny`	8x8
`IconSize.ExtraSmall`	16x16
`IconSize.Small`	20x20
`IconSize.MediumSmall`	24x24
`IconSize.Medium`	32x32
`IconSize.Large`	48x48
`IconSize.ExtraLarge`	64x64
`IconSize.Jumbo`	96x96
`IconSize.ExtraJumbo`	128x128
`IconSize.Huge`	256x256

Common imageres.dll Icons

Some commonly used icons from imageres.dll:

ImageresIconID.Shield - UAC elevation shield
ImageresIconID.Lock - Security/locked state
ImageresIconID.Unlock - Unlocked state
ImageresIconID.Key - Authentication/access
ImageresIconID.User - User account
ImageresIconID.Users - Multiple users
ImageresIconID.Computer - Computer/workstation
ImageresIconID.Network - Network connection
ImageresIconID.Folder - Generic folder
ImageresIconID.File - Generic file

Common shell32.dll Icons

The Shell32IconID enum now contains 300+ icons organized into categories:

Basic Icons

Shell32IconID.Folder - Folder (closed)
Shell32IconID.FolderOpen - Folder (open)
Shell32IconID.Document - Default document
Shell32IconID.Application - Executable/Application

Storage and Drives

Shell32IconID.HardDrive - Hard disk drive
Shell32IconID.CDRom - CD/DVD drive
Shell32IconID.RemovableDrive - Removable drive
Shell32IconID.NetworkDrive - Network drive
Shell32IconID.Floppy35 - 3.5" floppy disk

Network and Computers

Shell32IconID.Computer - Computer/workstation
Shell32IconID.Network - Network
Shell32IconID.Server - Server
Shell32IconID.NetworkNeighborhood - Network neighborhood

System Utilities

Shell32IconID.Search - Search/find
Shell32IconID.RecycleBinEmpty - Empty recycle bin
Shell32IconID.RecycleBinFull - Full recycle bin
Shell32IconID.ControlPanel - Control Panel
Shell32IconID.Printer - Printer
Shell32IconID.Help - Help/Question mark
Shell32IconID.Run - Run/Execute

Actions

Shell32IconID.Cut - Cut (scissors)
Shell32IconID.Copy - Copy
Shell32IconID.Paste - Paste
Shell32IconID.Delete - Delete
Shell32IconID.Properties - Properties
Shell32IconID.Print - Print

Hardware & Devices

Shell32IconID.Keyboard - Keyboard
Shell32IconID.Mouse - Mouse
Shell32IconID.Monitor - Monitor
Shell32IconID.Speakers - Speakers
Shell32IconID.Camera - Camera
Shell32IconID.Scanner - Scanner
Shell32IconID.Laptop - Laptop

User Accounts

Shell32IconID.UserAccount - User account
Shell32IconID.Administrator - Administrator
Shell32IconID.Guest - Guest
Shell32IconID.UserGroup - User group

Special Folders

Shell32IconID.MyDocuments - My Documents
Shell32IconID.MyPictures - My Pictures
Shell32IconID.MyMusic - My Music
Shell32IconID.MyVideos - My Videos
Shell32IconID.Recent - Recent documents

Windows Features

Shell32IconID.WindowsUpdate - Windows Update
Shell32IconID.WindowsDefender - Windows Defender
Shell32IconID.WindowsFirewall - Windows Firewall
Shell32IconID.DeviceManager - Device Manager

Total: 300+ icons across 15 categories - See the Shell32IconID enum for the complete list!

Error Handling

Both extraction methods return null if the icon cannot be extracted. Always check for null before using:

var icon = GraphicsExtensions.ExtractIconFromShell32(
    (int)Shell32IconID.Folder, 
    IconSize.Medium
);

if (icon != null)
{
    // Use the icon
    myButton.Values.Image = icon.ToBitmap();
}
else
{
    // Handle the case where extraction failed
    // Use a fallback icon or show an error message
}

Complete Example

See IconExtractionTest.cs in the TestForm project for a complete working example that demonstrates extracting and displaying icons from both DLLs.

Notes

Icon availability may vary across different Windows versions
shell32.dll contains hundreds of icons (indices 0-300+)
imageres.dll is available on Windows Vista and later
shell32.dll icons work on all Windows versions
For resource-constrained scenarios, consider caching extracted icons
Remember to dispose of Icon objects when done to free resources

Advanced Usage

Using with Krypton Buttons

// Add a shield icon to a Krypton button
var shieldIcon = GraphicsExtensions.ExtractIconFromImageres(
    (int)ImageresIconID.Shield, 
    IconSize.Medium
);

if (shieldIcon != null)
{
    kryptonButton1.Values.Image = shieldIcon.ToBitmap();
    kryptonButton1.Values.Text = "Run as Administrator";
}

Creating Image Lists

// Create an image list with shell32 icons
var imageList = new ImageList();
imageList.ImageSize = new Size(32, 32);

var icons = new[]
{
    Shell32IconID.Folder,
    Shell32IconID.Computer,
    Shell32IconID.Network,
    Shell32IconID.Printer
};

foreach (var iconId in icons)
{
    var icon = GraphicsExtensions.ExtractIconFromShell32(
        (int)iconId, 
        IconSize.Medium
    );
    
    if (icon != null)
    {
        imageList.Images.Add(icon.ToBitmap());
    }
}

// Use with TreeView, ListView, etc.
treeView1.ImageList = imageList;