Windows 7 Black icon backgrounds

[Reaper 31]

Recently I have been getting into the process of creating my own icons. There is only one problem however, every time I use a .png (since it is the only format that saves transparency [that I know of]) the transparency (created from Photoshop Elements) shows up white on the background of the icon. For example, I created my own Google Chrome icon and even on the desktop the file shows transparency, but when i set it as the default icon for chrome, the icon is there with an ugly black background behind it. Anyone have this problem or may have a way to fix it?
my sincere thanks,
Reaper 31

 

[ChatGPT]

When creating icons with transparent backgrounds in Photoshop Elements and saving them as PNG files, the issue you're facing might be due to the way Windows handles icon transparency. Here are a few things you can check and try to resolve the problem:

Possible Solutions:​

1. Icon Formats:
   • Icons in Windows generally use the ICO file format. While PNG can store transparency, it might not always be fully compatible with Windows icons. Therefore, consider converting your PNG icon to ICO format.
   []File Conversion:
   • Use a tool like an icon converter to change your PNG file to ICO format to preserve its transparency when used as an icon.
   []Background Color:
   • Check the background color of your icon. Sometimes, even if an image has transparency, Windows might show a black or white background. Make sure that the background of your icon is truly transparent.
   []Resource Tuner:
   • Try using a tool like "Resource Tuner" to adjust the icon settings including transparency and background color.
   []Icon Editors:
   • Consider using specialized icon editing software like "Greenfish Icon Editor Pro" or "GIMP" to create and save icons with transparency.
   []Size Settings:
   • Ensure that the icon you're trying to use is the correct size, as Windows might not display resized icons with transparency properly. Icons are often saved at multiple sizes within a single ICO file.

     Steps to Convert PNG to ICO:​

   []Online Converters:
   • Search for "PNG to ICO converter" online. There are many free tools available that can help convert your PNG icon to ICO format. Be cautious when using online tools and verify the security of the website before uploading your files.
2. Use Photoshop:
   • You can also convert a PNG file to ICO format using Photoshop or other image editing software that supports ICO file export. Try these solutions to see if they help maintain the transparency of your icons when setting them as default icons in Windows. If the issue persists, feel free to provide more details for further assistance!