diff --git a/build/scripts/build_windows.py b/build/scripts/build_windows.py
index 67b960e..42d68fa 100644
--- a/build/scripts/build_windows.py
+++ b/build/scripts/build_windows.py
@@ -243,6 +243,10 @@ class WindowsBuilder:
         if not self._create_wix_source():
             return False
 
+        # Ensure toolbar icons are present in bundled resources before harvesting.
+        if not self._ensure_toolbar_icons_in_bundle():
+            return False
+
         # Harvest application files using Heat
         print(f"  Harvesting application files...")
         dist_folder = self.dist_dir / "WebDropBridge"
@@ -352,6 +356,36 @@ class WindowsBuilder:
 
         return True
 
+    def _ensure_toolbar_icons_in_bundle(self) -> bool:
+        """Ensure toolbar icon files exist in the bundled app folder.
+
+        This guarantees WiX Heat harvest includes these icons in the MSI,
+        even if a previous PyInstaller run omitted them.
+        """
+        src_icons_dir = self.project_root / "resources" / "icons"
+        bundle_icons_dir = self.dist_dir / "WebDropBridge" / "_internal" / "resources" / "icons"
+        required_icons = ["home.ico", "reload.ico", "open.ico", "openwith.ico"]
+
+        try:
+            bundle_icons_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+
+            for icon_name in required_icons:
+                src = src_icons_dir / icon_name
+                dst = bundle_icons_dir / icon_name
+
+                if not src.exists():
+                    print(f"❌ Required icon not found: {src}")
+                    return False
+
+                if not dst.exists() or src.stat().st_mtime > dst.stat().st_mtime:
+                    shutil.copy2(src, dst)
+                    print(f"  ✓ Ensured toolbar icon in bundle: {icon_name}")
+
+            return True
+        except Exception as e:
+            print(f"❌ Failed to ensure toolbar icons in bundle: {e}")
+            return False
+
     def _create_wix_source(self) -> bool:
         """Create WiX source file for MSI generation.
 
diff --git a/resources/icons/home.ico b/resources/icons/home.ico
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e080469
Binary files /dev/null and b/resources/icons/home.ico differ
diff --git a/resources/icons/open.ico b/resources/icons/open.ico
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1b6fed8
Binary files /dev/null and b/resources/icons/open.ico differ
diff --git a/resources/icons/openwith.ico b/resources/icons/openwith.ico
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3facabc
Binary files /dev/null and b/resources/icons/openwith.ico differ
diff --git a/resources/icons/reload.ico b/resources/icons/reload.ico
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1f1023d
Binary files /dev/null and b/resources/icons/reload.ico differ
diff --git a/src/webdrop_bridge/ui/main_window.py b/src/webdrop_bridge/ui/main_window.py
index c6db37e..2bfc78e 100644
--- a/src/webdrop_bridge/ui/main_window.py
+++ b/src/webdrop_bridge/ui/main_window.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import asyncio
 import json
 import logging
 import re
+import subprocess
 import sys
 from datetime import datetime
 from pathlib import Path
@@ -250,6 +251,12 @@ class OpenDropZone(QWidget):
         self.setMinimumSize(QSize(44, 44))
         self.setMaximumSize(QSize(48, 48))
 
+    def set_icon(self, icon: QIcon) -> None:
+        """Set the displayed icon for the drop zone widget."""
+        if icon.isNull():
+            return
+        self._icon_label.setPixmap(icon.pixmap(QSize(32, 32)))
+
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------
     # Drop handling
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -295,6 +302,46 @@ class OpenDropZone(QWidget):
                 logger.debug(f"OpenDropZone: skipping non-local URL {url.toString()}")
 
 
+class OpenWithDropZone(OpenDropZone):
+    """Drop target widget that opens files via an app chooser dialog.
+
+    When a file is dropped, this widget emits ``file_open_with_requested`` for
+    each local file so the main window can invoke platform-specific
+    "Open With" behavior.
+
+    Signals:
+        file_open_with_requested (str): Emitted with the local file path.
+    """
+
+    file_open_with_requested = Signal(str)
+
+    def __init__(self, parent: Optional[QWidget] = None) -> None:
+        """Initialize the OpenWithDropZone widget.
+
+        Args:
+            parent: Parent widget.
+        """
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        self._icon_label.setToolTip("Drop a file here to choose which app should open it")
+
+    def dropEvent(self, event) -> None:  # type: ignore[override]
+        """Emit dropped local files for app-chooser handling."""
+        self._icon_label.setStyleSheet(self._NORMAL_STYLE)
+        mime = event.mimeData()
+        if not mime.hasUrls():
+            event.ignore()
+            return
+
+        event.acceptProposedAction()
+        for url in mime.urls():
+            if url.isLocalFile():
+                file_path = url.toLocalFile()
+                logger.info(f"OpenWithDropZone: request app chooser for '{file_path}'")
+                self.file_open_with_requested.emit(file_path)
+            else:
+                logger.debug(f"OpenWithDropZone: skipping non-local URL {url.toString()}")
+
+
 class _DragBridge(QObject):
     """JavaScript bridge for drag operations via QWebChannel.
 
@@ -1071,6 +1118,78 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
             f"File: {file_path}\nError: {error}",
         )
 
+    def _on_file_open_with_requested(self, file_path: str) -> None:
+        """Handle a file dropped on the OpenWithDropZone.
+
+        Args:
+            file_path: Local file path to open using an app chooser.
+        """
+        if self._open_with_app_chooser(file_path):
+            self.statusBar().showMessage(f"Choose app for: {Path(file_path).name}", 4000)
+            logger.info(f"Opened app chooser for '{file_path}'")
+            return
+
+        logger.warning(f"Could not open app chooser for '{file_path}'")
+        QMessageBox.warning(
+            self,
+            "Open With Error",
+            "Could not open an application chooser for this file on your platform.",
+        )
+
+    def _open_with_app_chooser(self, file_path: str) -> bool:
+        """Open OS-specific app chooser for a local file.
+
+        Args:
+            file_path: Local file path.
+
+        Returns:
+            True if the chooser command was started successfully, False otherwise.
+        """
+        try:
+            normalized_path = str(Path(file_path))
+            if not Path(normalized_path).exists():
+                logger.warning(f"Open-with target does not exist: {normalized_path}")
+                return False
+
+            if sys.platform.startswith("win"):
+                # First try the native shell "openas" verb.
+                import ctypes
+
+                result = ctypes.windll.shell32.ShellExecuteW(
+                    None, "openas", normalized_path, None, None, 1
+                )
+                if result > 32:
+                    return True
+
+                logger.warning(f"ShellExecuteW(openas) failed with code {result}; trying fallback")
+
+                # Fallback for systems where openas verb is not available/reliable.
+                subprocess.Popen(["rundll32.exe", "shell32.dll,OpenAs_RunDLL", normalized_path])
+                return True
+
+            if sys.platform == "darwin":
+                # Prompt for an app and open the file with the selected app.
+                script = (
+                    "on run argv\n"
+                    "set targetFile to POSIX file (item 1 of argv)\n"
+                    "set chosenApp to choose application\n"
+                    'tell application "Finder" to open targetFile using chosenApp\n'
+                    "end run"
+                )
+                result = subprocess.run(
+                    ["osascript", "-e", script, file_path],
+                    check=False,
+                    capture_output=True,
+                    text=True,
+                )
+                return result.returncode == 0
+
+            logger.warning(f"Open-with chooser not implemented for platform: {sys.platform}")
+            return False
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.warning(f"Failed to open app chooser for '{file_path}': {e}")
+            return False
+
     def _on_download_requested(self, download: QWebEngineDownloadRequest) -> None:
         """Handle download requests from the embedded web view.
 
@@ -1263,25 +1382,52 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
         # Separator
         toolbar.addSeparator()
 
+        if hasattr(sys, "_MEIPASS"):
+            icons_dir = Path(sys._MEIPASS) / "resources" / "icons"  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
+        else:
+            icons_dir = Path(__file__).parent.parent.parent.parent / "resources" / "icons"
+
         # Home button
-        home_action = toolbar.addAction(
-            self.style().standardIcon(self.style().StandardPixmap.SP_DirHomeIcon), ""
+        home_icon_path = icons_dir / "home.ico"
+        home_icon = (
+            QIcon(str(home_icon_path))
+            if home_icon_path.exists()
+            else self.style().standardIcon(self.style().StandardPixmap.SP_DirHomeIcon)
         )
+        home_action = toolbar.addAction(home_icon, "")
         home_action.setToolTip("Home")
         home_action.triggered.connect(self._navigate_home)
 
         # Refresh button
         refresh_action = self.web_view.pageAction(self.web_view.page().WebAction.Reload)
+        reload_icon_path = icons_dir / "reload.ico"
+        if reload_icon_path.exists():
+            refresh_action.setIcon(QIcon(str(reload_icon_path)))
         toolbar.addAction(refresh_action)
 
         # Open-with-default-app drop zone (right of Reload)
         self._open_drop_zone = OpenDropZone()
+        open_icon_path = icons_dir / "open.ico"
+        if open_icon_path.exists():
+            self._open_drop_zone.set_icon(QIcon(str(open_icon_path)))
         self._open_drop_zone.file_opened.connect(self._on_file_opened_via_drop)
         self._open_drop_zone.file_open_failed.connect(self._on_file_open_failed_via_drop)
         open_drop_action = QWidgetAction(toolbar)
         open_drop_action.setDefaultWidget(self._open_drop_zone)
         toolbar.addAction(open_drop_action)
 
+        # Open-with chooser drop zone (right of Open-with-default-app)
+        self._open_with_drop_zone = OpenWithDropZone()
+        open_with_icon_path = icons_dir / "openwith.ico"
+        if open_with_icon_path.exists():
+            self._open_with_drop_zone.set_icon(QIcon(str(open_with_icon_path)))
+        self._open_with_drop_zone.file_open_with_requested.connect(
+            self._on_file_open_with_requested
+        )
+        open_with_drop_action = QWidgetAction(toolbar)
+        open_with_drop_action.setDefaultWidget(self._open_with_drop_zone)
+        toolbar.addAction(open_with_drop_action)
+
         # Add stretch spacer to push help buttons to the right
         spacer = QWidget()
         spacer.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Policy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Policy.Minimum)
@@ -1467,6 +1613,10 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
             f"Bridges web-based drag-and-drop workflows with native file operations "
             f"for professional desktop applications.<br>"
             f"<br>"
+            f"<b>Toolbar Drop Zones:</b><br>"
+            f"Open icon: Opens dropped files with the system default app.<br>"
+            f"Open-with icon: Shows an app chooser for dropped files.<br>"
+            f"<br>"
             f"<b>Product of:</b><br>"
             f"<b>hörl Information Management GmbH</b><br>"
             f"Silberburgstraße 126<br>"
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_main_window.py b/tests/unit/test_main_window.py
index 01eaa5a..161be8a 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_main_window.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_main_window.py
@@ -149,3 +149,74 @@ class TestMainWindowURLWhitelist:
 
         # web_view should have allowed_urls configured
         assert window.web_view.allowed_urls == sample_config.allowed_urls
+
+
+class TestMainWindowOpenWith:
+    """Test Open With chooser behavior."""
+
+    def test_open_with_app_chooser_windows(self, qtbot, sample_config):
+        """Windows should use ShellExecuteW with the openas verb."""
+        window = MainWindow(sample_config)
+        qtbot.addWidget(window)
+
+        test_file = sample_config.allowed_roots[0] / "open_with_test.txt"
+        test_file.write_text("test")
+
+        with patch("webdrop_bridge.ui.main_window.sys.platform", "win32"):
+            with patch("ctypes.windll.shell32.ShellExecuteW", return_value=33) as mock_shell:
+                assert window._open_with_app_chooser(str(test_file)) is True
+                mock_shell.assert_called_once_with(
+                    None,
+                    "openas",
+                    str(test_file),
+                    None,
+                    None,
+                    1,
+                )
+
+    def test_open_with_app_chooser_windows_shellexecute_failure(self, qtbot, sample_config):
+        """Windows should fall back to OpenAs_RunDLL when ShellExecuteW fails."""
+        window = MainWindow(sample_config)
+        qtbot.addWidget(window)
+
+        test_file = sample_config.allowed_roots[0] / "open_with_fallback.txt"
+        test_file.write_text("test")
+
+        with patch("webdrop_bridge.ui.main_window.sys.platform", "win32"):
+            with patch("ctypes.windll.shell32.ShellExecuteW", return_value=31):
+                with patch("webdrop_bridge.ui.main_window.subprocess.Popen") as mock_popen:
+                    assert window._open_with_app_chooser(str(test_file)) is True
+                    mock_popen.assert_called_once_with(
+                        ["rundll32.exe", "shell32.dll,OpenAs_RunDLL", str(test_file)]
+                    )
+
+    def test_open_with_app_chooser_missing_file(self, qtbot, sample_config):
+        """Missing files should fail before platform-specific invocation."""
+        window = MainWindow(sample_config)
+        qtbot.addWidget(window)
+
+        with patch("webdrop_bridge.ui.main_window.sys.platform", "win32"):
+            assert window._open_with_app_chooser("C:/tmp/does_not_exist.txt") is False
+
+    def test_open_with_app_chooser_macos_success(self, qtbot, sample_config):
+        """macOS should return True when osascript exits successfully."""
+        window = MainWindow(sample_config)
+        qtbot.addWidget(window)
+
+        test_file = sample_config.allowed_roots[0] / "open_with_macos.txt"
+        test_file.write_text("test")
+
+        class _Result:
+            returncode = 0
+
+        with patch("webdrop_bridge.ui.main_window.sys.platform", "darwin"):
+            with patch("webdrop_bridge.ui.main_window.subprocess.run", return_value=_Result()):
+                assert window._open_with_app_chooser(str(test_file)) is True
+
+    def test_open_with_app_chooser_unsupported_platform(self, qtbot, sample_config):
+        """Unsupported platforms should return False."""
+        window = MainWindow(sample_config)
+        qtbot.addWidget(window)
+
+        with patch("webdrop_bridge.ui.main_window.sys.platform", "linux"):
+            assert window._open_with_app_chooser("/tmp/test.txt") is False