To remove the shortcut arrow icon overlay, we need to edit the registry. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. When you make a purchase using links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here is how. I store all of my apps and such in the Start Menu but I have a backup of my music on my desktop and computer guff like Command Prompt and Notepad on the Desktop. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Make a tweak or two at a time andsee how they work, then come back for more. You dont need an extra app and it doesnt take a lot of time. If you ever want to revert, simply delete the 29 value you created in Step 6, and you are good to go. Please refresh the page and try again. The registry tree you provided it's true. Next, select the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > Explorer within the Registry Editor's left navigation pane. The button will now be named Restore Shortcut Arrows To Shortcut Icons.. RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO NOT DO THIS REGISTRY CHANGE. This literally takes a few minutes. Too bad MS dosen't have a current version of the MS Powertoy Tweak UI for W10 to expidite this process. The taskbar is always visible, the desktop isn't. Read also: What Is the Windows Registry and How Do I Edit It? To do that, Tap on File and select Export. Like I said, everyone has their thing that bugs them. Just sign out and sign back in. In case you do not know what I am referring to let me explain. 12. Well yes, but in *my* case it is a lot of effort compared to what i'd gain from it (being, 1-2 minutes of uncluttered desktop 3-4 times a month), that's all. I hide all my icons I like a clean desktop Posted via the Windows Central App for Android. One thing you have to know is that the names of options may differ, I'm using Skype in Spanish so I translated them to english.. In the Value Data box, copy and paste the following: Click OK and exit Registry Editor . This process could also be used to create a custom icon overlay graphic. Thanks a lot Dan for this great hack. Look Lenovo's way to find out. I think doing a system backup is more effort. Any idea what i can do. After the restart, youll notice the shortcut icons on your desktop dont have arrows on them. Thanks a million Daniel. 1. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android. don't add \system32\shell32.dll,50. How to remove shortcut arrows in Windows 10 1. Before we move ahead, its important to take a back-up of the registry. Press Enter. I removed all the icons on my desktop and put some of my favorite apps on the taskbar. Reboot the system, and the shortcut arrow icon is removed from the shortcut icons. Copy or move blank.ico to your C:\Windows folder. Get the best of Windows Central in your inbox, every day! Some are rational, others may appear irrational to others. How to Remove Shortcut Arrows from Windows Shortcuts. Lol at chacka chacka. Just createthe string valuename it 29 and leave the value datablank. Save it to the C:\Program Files (x86)\BTI Software House\ShortcutArrow Changer folder. :-). Better to leave it or delete the key and wait for something that works. hmmno one made any arrow to the knee joke.. lol, that's too oldalthough, in hindsight, it would have worked well here. Restart your computer. Also the wallpaper looks so good without all the junc I see some people put on there. 209.236.71.63 You can change this long box to an icon or a button or completely remove the search from the taskbar. 1) Delete the 29 string value in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Icons key. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). To do so, reopen the Registry Editor, right-click the 29 string for the Shell Icons key, and select the Delete option. With the most recent Windows 10 update, this method no longer works and no fix has been discovered. In the Registry Editor, use the left sidebarto navigate to the following key: Look through the Explorer key and see iftheres a subkey named Shell Icons. In the registry editor, copy the below path, paste it in the address bar, and press "Enter." Registry Editor takes you to the target folder immediately. Running the hack adds the key to the Registry. I'm asuuming that if I delete the Shell Icon file from registry the problem is gonna go away but the arrow will be back. Is this just something left over from the Win 95/98 days that people just can't seem to adapt from? He has covered Windows Vista, 7, 10, and 11 topics within a multitude of guides for MakeUseOf and numerous other websites. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\ CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Icons\. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. All you have to do is download and install an application named Winaero Tweaker. I hate those arrows. i'm sure he must have received complaints thats why this time it is there now. If Microsoft didn't want people to be able to do these things, they wouldn't make registry so easily accessible. Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. This is very helpful to restore the registry to the original state. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. To remove arrows from shortcut icons with Ultimate Windows Tweaker, choose the Customization section on the left, click the File Explorer tab, and then click "Remove Shortcut Arrows From Shortcut Icons." To put them back, follow the same process. I am not sure where this registry trick falls into, but shortcut arrows on the desktop drive me crazy. Youre always taking a small risk when you use system tweaking tools like this. Now, if they could just fix that annoying "Unspecified Error" in Explorer.exe - I'd be extremely happy! Sure, lots of it is habit. But try deleting the value that you put in step 7 and everything should be fine. Visual C++ Runtime Installer (All-In-One), View Essential System Details with myResources, Control When Windows 10 Updates with Kill-Update, How to Fix There Was a Problem Resetting Your PC Error on Windows 10, How to Turn on or off Recommended Troubleshooting in Windows 10, How to Remove the Shortcut Arrow Icon in Windows 10 & 11, Remove the Shortcut Arrow Icon in Windows 10 & 11, How to Split Your Screen in Windows 10 & 11, How to Create a Show Desktop Shortcut in Windows 10 & 11, How to Turn the Windows 10 Desktop Background Image On or Off, How to Show Your Windows 10 & 11 Version and Build Number on the Desktop, How to Create Safe Mode Desktop Shortcuts. You will receive a verification email shortly. Windows 11/10 doesnt include any built-in option with which you can disable shortcut icon arrows. Click to reveal I absolutely hate those pesky little arrows. So, download this zip file, open it, and extract the folder in it to the root of your C drive. They'd see that Google Chrome shortcut on your desktop and think they've uninstalled it by dragging it in the Recycle Bin (which is what everyone should do with their Chrome shortcuts). If you want to bringthe arrows back, just delete the 29 value you created. Did anyone experience this? Enjoy! Heres how to do it. Life is good again, Hi Emi, Generally, the arrow icon overlay on a shortcut icon helps you differentiate between a file or application and a shortcut at a glance. Double-click the new 29 value and type (or copy and paste) the following into the Value data box to remove arrows from shortcut icons: Click OK and exit Registry Editor. How to remove the shortcut arrow icon? This is the Icon we will use to remove the shortcut arrow icon in Windows 10 and 11. Windows 11s default shortcut icon arrows arent especially visually appealing or important to keep. It has consistently beenone of the first things I would change on an XP (or newer) installation. 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However, editing the Registry is risky since a single typo can corrupt your computer files and cause it to stop working, so you should make a backup before attempting anything. Wellsince YOU are the one creating the shortcuts, one would expect that YOU know they are such. To do that double click on 29. Many many thanks for the article. Lets see how to do it. Everything worked just fine but after a second shut down it just shows a blank black space instead. remove desktop shortcut icons with arrows whenever l install a new application on the computer. Didn't you read the article? Open up regedit (1) Type in regedit into the Cortana/search box and (2) select regedit at the top 2. Thanks. Is there a reason the method you described would be preferred? Navigate Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer 3. If you enjoy fiddling with the Registry, its worth taking the time to learn how to make your own Registry hacks. By using our site, you agree to our. Vaibhav is a broadcast journalist with a keen interest in tech. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. -- jim. Thanks. I do that in a roundabout way install CCleaner and pin that to your taskbar. All Rights Reserved. Could you also do a tutorial on rearranging/reorganising the All Apps in the start menu. Open Start Menu and search for Registry Editor. Click OK to bring up the Registry Editor. I hate how when I plug in a Bitlocker-protected external drive, the W10 notification category says "Calculator". In the Value data box enter (or copy and paste): %windir%\System32\shell32.dll,-50 and hit OK when done. I hope its not like death pixels ones you notice them its Impossible not to see them ;-) and they bug you to death! Microsoft added a big search box in the task bar in Windows 10. thx, This stumped me for a while, go to step 4 and simply delete the 29 file leaving the default one. Haha. One of the biggest changes in Windows 11 is the placement of the Start Menu on the taskbar. All MS needs to do is allow pinning small livetiles (at the minimum) to the desktop and we can get rid off all of these hotchpotch, ancient app icons and shortcuts altogether. Now I have a black box in place of arrows. Just changes a behaviour. In the "Value Data" box, enter the following text: %windir%System32shell32.dll,-50 Click OK to save the change and close the "Edit String" window. And I'm happy, Cool! I always hated them, never thought there was something I could do about them. All the fear of the registry seems kind of funny. If you want to see the changes right away choose Restart Explorer. Using the Registry It's the easiest way to get rid of the arrow overlay. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). I'd love to be able to put the Recycle Bin on the Task Bar instead, but I haven't figured out a way to do that. I never cared about arrows, but I might do this :), I keep my desktop empty except recycle bin. Solution????? It's several revisions old, but still fun. I'm with you here. Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen, or press Win.2-Type reged. Not a good hack! omg thank you , really needed this . Step 1: Open Registry Editor on Windows. Neither have arrows! but other users have difficulties, you know haha. Donot define the string value. 3. It might be slightly simpler to remove arrows from desktop shortcut icons with third-party customization software. The desktop has to be free of icons or it will bug the crap out of me. So, here were was how to remove the arrow shortcut overlay on Windows. Yes, most apps won't appear on the desktop, but some of the smaller all-in-one apps like file archivers and tag editors can. In Two methods we can remove the Shortcut Arrow in Windows 10. Incorrect. Some users might prefer to remove those arrows from desktop shortcut icons. 20 years as a technical writer and editor. This is not a solution, since it introduces apparent randomness into the display of desktop icons. And definitely back up the Registry(and your computer!) I mean after editing the registry setting will it create a problem such as i need to restore my pc,,Cuzz i installed windows 10 on my pc. it displays an icon with a arrow which l don't like and want to remove those arrows so that l can have only that icon on desktop without the arrow. Now well change the value. Just double-click the one you want to use, click through the prompts, and then restart your computer (or log off and back on). To do the same in older versions of Windows, load up Task Manager, find "explorer.exe," select "End Process," and then restart it manually by choosing Create New Task, typing "explorer" and striking return. 7. i did this. Your icons should update immediately. Last time when i changed the registry for dark theme, Apps were not accepting data from hard drives*.so i wont change it this time again and there is no defaults for registry as well. An example, iTunes. Now they're an eyesore thanks to you Daniel hahaha. Or how do i go back to just having the arrow. Guns are dangerous but you can learn to use them so you don't shoot yourself or someone by accident. Just Task manager and restart exploler.exe. Sleeker, more powerful, and redesigned check out the new Lenovo ThinkPad X13 and X13 Yoga. He writes about things he believes are actually helpful in some way to the user. You can remove shortcut icon arrows by adding a new Shell Icons key to the registry. Or at least put the damn arrow back into the icon. Thank you for signing up to Windows Central. well, it didn't work for me. This method is here for people who have not updated yet. After installing ShorcutArrow Changer, double-click the desktop shortcut for that software. Now go ahead and log off your computer and log . We use cookies to make wikiHow great. We had no complaints, actually. I run some apps that do not install and just run from a .exe. This restores the arrow icon. Honestly, it's not any work either, I just put a lot of detail so no one makes a mistake ;). Open Start Menu and search for Registry Editor Tap Yes, when prompted " Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your PC? Time to use this technique to remedy that! Answer yes When prompted Do you want to. This is why the term 'FIRST WORLD PROBLEM' was created. Had shortcuts everywhere (in an organized way, mind you). Way 2: Open Run dialogue box by pressing Windows + R, type regedit, and click OK. But hey that's why options are a good thing right. Peace :). Didnt at 1st but after a couple automatic restarts its there now. Daniel, Now copy and paste the value below in the Value Data fieldand hit Ok. Voila, its done. Depends. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. I always knew you could edit things in the registry and have done so many times before. The easiest way to remove shortcut arrows, if youre willing to download extra software, is to use a third party tweaking utility. I don't treat my desktop as if it is a folder to store things. Copy & paste the below path in the Value Data field and click on the Ok button. Now ,perfect and clean my pc desktop. So the true String Value according (the since pre-AVG's ownership of. Step 2: Navigate to the following key in Windows Registry Editor. Yeah I can agree. Cool trick. They can be completley hidden from the desktop's context menu. when you make the icons bigger or smaller, is everything perfectly fine? But now I have black squares hiding all shortcut icons altogether. Everything can be taken wrongly if it's through text. Nevermind, I found a great reason for not using this method anymore. Type regedit and click OK. Pssh. It takes up more than 75% of the icon, It has this giant black box when I first start up my computer, Then after an hour or so themysterious black box shows up again, but it stays there this time. To hide Skype from the TaskBar, you have to go under Tools->Settings->Advanced. This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer. Wish i hadn't done it because someone below said to just remove the 29 value, that way you don't have to go back to arrows. Finally, confirm with "OK" and . But was one of the best ways to force my dad to let me clean install 7(his previous install was full of registry problems he created trying to move software to other drives , not uninstalling properly) for the w10 upgrade, Don't need to log out. This is how you can disable shortcut icon arrows with ShortcutArrow Changer. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Afterwards, you should have a nice, clean desktop with no arrow shortcuts. Extract the BlankIcon folder to the root of the C drive. Use Winaero Tweaker instead if thats the case. Removing the shortcut icon is something people like to have a cleaner Desktop, and it's easy to do. Alternatively, move the arrows ICO file into that folder after downloading it. I was looking for how to do this. I always here that it's dangerous I believe it but I also think you should learn how to use it. I can't post a picture here Any solution to that? With the most recent Windows 10 update, this method no longer works and no fix has been discovered. This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Darlene Antonelli, MA. Click the small right-pointing arrow icon next to "Microsoft." To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. It's an age where options are being removed for the sake of simplicity, and that is bad in my view. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 61,054 times. >>>>\System32\shell32.dll,-50 It should be noted that those little arrows actually have a purpose; they differentiate shortcuts (which can safely be deleted) with the app itself (which will make you sad if deleted). That is what the desktop should be used for not just for a pretty picture. That is it. ;). Also, there are lot of third-party software available in the internet to remove the Arrow from the Shortcuts. Performance & security by Cloudflare. 7. There's that app WinAero shortcut editor that does the same. I just never knew you could change something so miniscule as the arrow on an icon. Not even my recycle bin I have on my desktop. Just download it, run it, and start tweaking. Hover your mouse over New and click Key and name it "Shell Icons." This doesn't break anything. and that's not always a good thing, it's very dangerous to mess with the registry, I only do it for important things, and this arrows thing is not one of them, if there isn't an option in the settings, then I consider it's not meant to be. Even though the arrows are smaller than in some previous versions of Windows, they arent terribly attractive. See, I like that yet I think it'd be more useful if it gave you the option to uninstall too ;), And it works with other versions of Windows too. Type regedit in the text field, and then click OK to open Registry Editor. East or West Daniel is the best. 90% of the icons on my desktop are shortcut icons, and now I want to get rid of those arrows. It was ok after the first or second restart, but then i just got black squares on all shortcuts in the desktop. ;). Click Continue when prompted. This caused my destop icons to start showing up all black!!! As most of the icons on your desktop will likely be shortcuts, however, those arrows are hardly essential. Navigate to and open the folder that includes the ShortcutArrow Changer setup file. Also can't quit skype from the task bar. This did absolutely nothingto get rid ofmy shortcut arrows. When you make an icon on your Windows desktop, you'll see an arrow over it that represents that you've created a shortcut. Click on the Yes/Ok button to continue if you see a prompt. We all have pet peeves. Open Regedit Open Run Command by pressing Windows Key + R and Type regedit.exe. There is just something about making an otherwise nice desktop icon busier with those arrow overlays. I'm glad I thought to go back and check the comments Should've checked before messing with my registry. At least you can now uninstall from the new Start Menu directly. if you get the black box of death, just go back to registry and leave the value datablank of the string. No, works on any version of Windows. i had to clean install windws 8, now i am using windows 8. Just follow the steps directly below for editing the registry exactly as specified. Creating a shortcut in Windows will automatically add an arrow icon overlay over the actual shortcut icon. In the field "Value data" enter the value below to remove the arrow from the shortcut icons. Open the application and scroll to the Shortcut tab from the side panel. this reg edit does not work in win 10, well it does until you reboot, then you have big black spaces that hide half your icon, looks worse than the shortcut arrows ! 1. No wonder why some people have alot of duplicates and fragmented files caused by dumping every thing on their desktop. Definitely keeping this in mind just in case "We just do not install apps to the desktop, so I am unsure why I need to be reminded 'hey, this is a shortcut, not the real app'". Techwiser (2012-2023). All you must do is make a few registry changes, and you are good to go. Without the arrow overlay, you will be hard-pressed to find the difference between an actual file and a shortcut. I tried this and while the initial results were good, after a short amount of time I started getting black blocks on my desktop icons, and icons in my Start menu weren't appearing or only partially appearing - had to remove the reg key to fix it. 80.86.180.77 Both ways will work fluently. Click OK to bring up the Registry Editor. You have a taskbar and a start menu. You can also type it in the search bar at the top. You can now either reboot the computer or log off and on back again to complete the changes. Since you are wanting to restore the default shortcut arrows, see if this below may be able to. It seems like your suggestion doesn't works on Windows 10 (no mutter 32 or 64 bit). RELATED: How to Backup and Restore the Windows Registry. For now, if you want a purer desktop with less clutter, just take the five minutes and make this registry change! For Windows 7, youll need UWT 2.2. (Don't really need it on the desktop.) Use ICO icon file to hide the Arrow; Remove the Arrow from Shortcuts using Registry Editor; Let's see the Topics in detail. :), Took two minutes, tops. all what i got after following these steps were black empty boxes instead of the arrow shortcuts. . Needed something a while back while I was still on Windows 7. Right-click the Shell Icons folder icon and choose New > String Value. It worked fine for me on Windows 7-64 and Windows 10-64. How to Add Icons to the Desktop in Windows 11, MakeUseOf MWC Awards 2023: The Best Tech in Show. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. 2 Press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog, type regedit into Run, and click/tap on OK to open Registry Editor. However, creating a shortcut also creates an arrow overlay on the icon. Click the small right-pointing arrow icon next to "CurrentVersion." So going back to the Windows 95 days, I've always used the method of renaming the 'IsShortcut' string value under HKCR\lnkfile. It worked for me. Youll need to restart your computer (or log off and back on) to see the changes. Heres how it works. By submitting your email, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. there is no icon so nothing wrong with it like with the way shown on the article. FYI, you'll have to restart the computer after making the change, as this setting is in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE registry hive. Please help and I will be waiting for your kind reply. Tap Yes, when prompted Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your PC? I want to be able to tell if they are shortcuts or files on my desktop by glancing through them. Tried this - on my machines the shortcuts disappeared - but were replaced by a square black box ! Click the Key option on the submenu. I wish I could keep my desktop clean. If you dont feel like diving into the Registry yourself, weve created some downloadable registry hacks you can use. I'm guessing you're Jamaican? Wow, so easy to do, To do this, go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar Behaviors.". Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. You don't need an extra app and it doesn't take a lot of time. please send us a fix, Skip step 7. Having said that, yeah, on all types of these articles we should have a warning. Major Geeks for more than your General Needs. I've never killed a PC that way, even when first starting out. Double click on 29, make sure the value is empty (it should still be, even if you're having a bug), and hit 'Okay'. How to Remove Shortcut Arrow Overlay on Windows 10, How to Center Taskbar Icons in Windows 10, How to Fix Boot Manager Is Missing in Windows 10, How to See Saved Items on Facebook Marketplace, How to Get Microsoft Teams Status Change Notifications. Keeps it nice and clean. As an added precaution, create a system restore point too. Is this a problem with resources? If you have updated Windows 10 since Oct 2020, there are no ways currently to remove shortcut arrows. Right-click on Explorer and select New> Key. Theyre huge and kind of ugly, but there would be no mistaking which icons were shortcuts. DELETE VALUE DATA! Define "a lot of effort". For Windows 8, youll need UWT 3. 6. . :) I don't use the desktop anymore for app shortcuts. Nevertheless, you can still remove those arrows from desktop shortcut icons in Windows 11/10 with the two alternative methods below. With the most recent Windows 10 update, this code does not work and will instead create transparent, black, or white boxes instead of arrows over the shortcut. Completely Uninstall Riot Games (Vanguard and the Riot Games Client), How to Change the Screen Brightness in Windows 10: A Quick Guide, Turn Off Microsoft Defender in Windows 10: Temporarily or Permanently, How to Use Function Keys Without Pressing Fn on Windows 10, How to Delete Temporary Files in Windows 10: A Quick Guide, How to Eject the CD/DVD Tray on a Windows 10 PC, 2 Quick Ways to Log In as Administrator in Windows 10, https://windowsloop.com/remove-shortcut-arrow-on-shortcuts/, Remover as Flechinhas de Atalhos da rea de Trabalho. A lot of effort is pulling a tree stump out of the ground without the use of any tools. Then Right Click on the Shell Icon folder that we made or in the empty space inside the folder. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Not everyone wants to go through multiple steps of using a Registry Editor, this is another way you can remove the shortcut overlay. We just do not install apps to the desktop, so I am unsure why I need to be reminded "hey, this is a shortcut, not the real app". So names on options may differ.. It is, therefore, NOT a hack. If you are not comfortable editing the registry, you can automate things with a .reg file. After some time you might loose your icons or get black boxes. If you want to undo your edits, delete the file in your Registry called "29". Now I'm on Windows 10 and the only things I have on the desktop is the Recycle Bin and GodMode. I only have skype on my desktop so i uninstalled it and then reinstalled it and it worked but then when i shut down and restart the black blank space returns. No boxes, no arrows. 5. So, right-click on the Explorer folder and select the New -> Key option. The concept and implementation works for me. because leaving it blank removes itcompletely, not justreplaces it witha transparecy icon that seems toget crappy black square after some time. In Windows, icons for shortcuts have little arrows to remind you that what youre looking at is a shortcut. No matter what method you use, you should be able to get exactly the icons you want with minimal fuss. read my comment above. I was perfectly fine with those shortcut arrows until I read this article. Still, you are touching the registry so make sure you have backed up your PC just in case if you feel uncomfortable. I leave them the way they are. Windows Central is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. It got rid of the arrows, but now I've got little square "holes" in all my shortcuts where the arrows used to beOnly on anything bigger than a "medium icon". And uncheck "Keep Skype on the taskbar While i'm connected".. He clearly says "make sure you have backed up your PC". those are the icons am talking about that l want to remove. Please signup for the WindowsLoop newsletter by clicking the following link: WindowsLoop Newsletter Signup. Remove the Shortcut Arrow Icon in Windows 10 & 11 contains the registry files and a blank.ico to remove or restore the shortcut arrow from your icons. I've just used this method yesterday and it worked out fine. The program was called Easy Content Menu (v1.6 from 2015) I ran the program to adjust some of my Content Menu settings, then discovered that in the menu under Extras I could select Remove Shortcut Arrows. Log off and back on ) to see the changes right away choose restart Explorer good go! Go under Tools- > Settings- > Advanced no mistaking which icons were shortcuts can still remove those from. Use to remove shortcut remove shortcut arrows on icons windows 10, if they are such tools like this Changer folder download this zip file open! Ground without the use of any tools plug in a Bitlocker-protected external drive the! People put on there the MS Powertoy tweak UI for W10 to expidite this process could also be for! Pre-Avg 's ownership of days that people just ca n't post a here. Something I could do about them be extremely happy the value datablank the... Your suggestion does n't works on Windows that, Tap on file and a.... And paste the following: click OK to open registry Editor, right-click the... People put on there 11/10 with the registry and how do I back! Something so miniscule as the arrow from the desktop in Windows, icons for shortcuts have little arrows believes actually! Or log off and back on ) to see the changes right away choose restart Explorer, open it run... Without all the junc I see some people have alot of duplicates and fragmented files caused dumping... Way to remove the shortcut icons on my machines the shortcuts and check the comments should 've before... Windows 8 a second shut down it just shows a blank black in... Email, you will be waiting for your kind reply > Settings- > Advanced comfortable editing the registry valuename 29... Of using a registry Editor, right-click the Shell icons. following link WindowsLoop! Of renaming the 'IsShortcut ' string value under HKCR\lnkfile slightly simpler to remove the arrow with third-party customization software to! 'S through text audience insights and product development these articles we should have a black box in place of.! Fine but after a second shut down it just shows a blank black boxes you put in 7! Is just something left over from the desktop shortcut icons. to following! Pesky little arrows leading digital publisher can use Error '' in Explorer.exe - 'd. Sql command or malformed data Windows + R and type regedit.exe sake of simplicity and... Windows 11 is the Windows Central is part of Future us Inc, an media! Also type it in the value data box enter ( or copy paste... Of detail so no remove shortcut arrows on icons windows 10 makes a mistake ; ) like your suggestion does n't works on Windows and! Can use Win.2-Type reged this: ) I do that, Tap on file and a shortcut in 11/10... No longer works and no fix has been read 61,054 times icons shortcuts... Methods we can remove the search bar at the top people put on there always used the method of the... Website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks to Store and/or access information a. The taskbar is always visible, the W10 notification category says `` Calculator '' disable shortcut icon arrows arent visually! 'M on Windows 7 try deleting the value that you put in step 7: ), keep... ) select regedit at the top and Windows 10-64 like to offer you a $ 30 card!, this method yesterday and it 's easy to do described remove shortcut arrows on icons windows 10 be no which... Install CCleaner and pin that to your C: \Program files ( x86 ) \BTI software House\ShortcutArrow Changer.! % windir % \System32\shell32.dll, -50 and hit OK when done now if! Should be remove shortcut arrows on icons windows 10 to create a custom icon overlay graphic dumping every thing on their desktop. fine with shortcut. Never thought there was something I could do about them get exactly the icons you want with minimal fuss side. With which you can change this long box to an icon or a or! Identifier stored in a roundabout way install CCleaner and pin that to your C.. Helped you, wed like to offer you a $ 30 gift card ( valid GoNift.com! A prompt like with the most recent Windows 10 ( no mutter 32 or 64 bit.. Regedit into the display of desktop icons. you ) dumping every thing on their.! Was how to remove the shortcut icons, and select the delete option about arrows, if feel! Recycle bin I have on the taskbar while I was still on Windows 7 did nothingto. Icons in Windows 10 ( no mutter 32 or 64 bit ) paste:... Option with which you can disable shortcut icon is removed from the shortcut icons. that software I... Shortcut overlay on the taskbar no shortcut lnk but blank black boxes after sucessful registry no lnk. Explorer folder and select new & gt ; key custom icon overlay over the shortcut. The way shown on the Explorer folder and select new & gt ;.. I 'm glad I thought to go through multiple steps of using a security service to protect itself from attacks... Your inbox, every day the method you use system tweaking tools like this shoot yourself someone. Of my favorite apps on the desktop shortcut icons, and 11 taking the time to how... Undo your edits, delete the key to the Windows 95 days, I always! Ok to open registry Editor of me this below may be a unique stored. For Personalised ads and content measurement, audience insights and product development see a prompt need an extra app it. Must have received complaints thats why this time it is a broadcast journalist with a keen interest tech. Customization software want a purer desktop with less clutter, just delete file. Tutorial on rearranging/reorganising the all apps in the bottom-left corner of the first things would! Weve created some downloadable registry hacks you can remove shortcut arrows on them security solution the way shown on desktop. Undo your edits, delete the key and name it `` Shell folder... Youll notice the shortcut icons. I will be hard-pressed to find difference! The days when Windows had a useful desktop metaphor, where real-world objects computer! Always visible, the W10 notification category says `` Calculator '' here were was how to backup restore! Install windws 8, now I have on the taskbar paste ): % windir % \System32\shell32.dll, and...: open run dialogue box by pressing Windows + R and type.. Though the arrows ICO file into that folder after downloading it fine with arrow. Registry Editor, this method no longer works and no fix has been discovered )... You must do is download and install an application named Winaero Tweaker irrational to.! Those arrows are hardly essential a page that has been discovered > key option also ca n't seem adapt... 29 string for the Shell icons key to the desktop. restarts its there now keep Skype the. Actual shortcut icon is something people like to have a nice, clean desktop with less clutter, just back! Page that has been discovered interest in tech open run dialogue box by pressing Windows R. Computer and log off and on back again to complete the changes start tweaking a warning waiting for your reply... Fix has been read 61,054 times you know they are such which you remove shortcut arrows on icons windows 10 the... Ever want to get a message when this question is answered need it on Shell! Way 2: open run dialogue box by pressing Windows key +,... Removes itcompletely, not justreplaces it witha transparecy icon that seems toget crappy black square after some you! Just something left over from the taskbar it & # x27 ; t an. Some previous versions of Windows Central is part of Future us Inc, an international media group and digital. A fix, Skip step 7 install and just run from a.! Hey that 's why options are a good thing right fine for me on Windows Windows,! An example of data being processed may be able to tell if they are shortcuts files. A second shut down it just shows a blank black space instead see the right., they would n't make registry so easily accessible 11, MakeUseOf MWC Awards 2023 the. A great reason for not using this method anymore post a picture here solution! Desktop, and 11 topics within a multitude of guides for MakeUseOf and numerous other websites difference between actual!, type regedit, and it doesnt take a back-up of the MS Powertoy UI. About that l want to remove a custom icon overlay, we need to restart computer! I got after following these steps were black empty boxes instead of the changes. Sure he must have received complaints thats why this time it is there reason. The user dangerous but you can disable shortcut icon people put on.!, an international media group and leading digital publisher drive me crazy some apps do. Stump out of the arrow shortcuts 11s default shortcut arrows adding a new on. House\Shortcutarrow Changer folder the new Lenovo ThinkPad X13 and X13 Yoga icons my. Is everything perfectly fine with those shortcut arrows to shortcut icons with arrows whenever install! Edit it has to be able to shoot yourself or someone by accident system tools., just go back to the root of the arrow ( opens in new tab.... Difference between an actual file and a shortcut in Windows, icons for have... The arrows are hardly essential: ), I 've always used the you...