I use MS Paint to make icons [even though I shouldn't because it's not too good], but anyway, I've noticed that animated icons are always in .gif format. Paint allows me to save images in .gif format, but how do I make it animated? If there is a certain program I should be using, could you please give me a link to where I can download it? Thank you.

I make animated stuff by using the save-for-web window in Photoshop. I'm not sure how to do it otherwise though. Do you have Photoshop?

.... MS Paint rocks.
Anywhoo... You can use any of the great freeware animators out there. I personally prefer Movies 13. There's also these , these and these.

which would be the simplest program to use?

Probably Movies 13 or Microsoft Gif Animator.

ok thank you very much I am now using Microsoft GIF Animator. It's as simple as I wanted it to be ^_^

I'm closing this. Feel free to PM me with any further questions. ^_^