press "Windows Logo + I" shortcut keys to open Settings app. You will receive a verification email shortly. It is that simple to remove shortcut arrow overlay from shortcut icons. There is just something about making an otherwise nice desktop icon busier with those arrow overlays. Just double-click the one you want to use, click through the prompts, and then restart your computer (or log off and back on). Have to admitlost a bit of respect for DRubino seeing him use desktop shortcuts for launching apps. The desktop is for housing running applications. Now they're an eyesore thanks to you Daniel hahaha. A hack is way around the intended process of the program. Using the browser bar on the left, browser to the following path. 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 ! Download 'Remove Shortcut Arrow in Windows 10 & 11.' Extract the four files including Shortcut Arrow Icon - Remove.reg, Shortcut Arrow Icon - Restore.reg [.i], and blank.ico. I've just used this method yesterday and it worked out fine. Navigate Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer 3. This is the Icon we will use to remove the shortcut arrow icon in Windows 10 and 11. File it for instance and skype right now. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Created on August 25, 2016 Shortcut Arrows in the icons on Win 10 desktop Does anyone know how to make those annoying 'shortcut arrows' on icons on the Windows Desktop disappear? The desktop is where I open and used my apps not for pining icons. Name the New Folder as Shell Icons. -- jim. A lot of homework to do! Youll need to restart your computer (or log off and back on) to see the changes. Heres how to do it. Or at least put the damn arrow back into the icon. Like I said, everyone has their thing that bugs them. Copy or move blank.ico to your C:\Windows folder. Fortunately, theyre pretty easy to remove. Some users might prefer to remove those arrows from desktop shortcut icons. No matter what method you use, you should be able to get exactly the icons you want with minimal fuss. 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Not a good hack! 7. As an added precaution, create a system restore point too. You can either shrink the arrow size for the arrow shortcuts or remove them altogether from your icons. Although I like to keep docs/images or things I'm working on on the desktop, so even I'm guilty of it too. Or how do i go back to just having the arrow. In the Value data box enter (or copy and paste): %windir%\System32\shell32.dll,-50 and hit OK when done. You can also do it manually through the Task Manager. 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. This is why the term 'FIRST WORLD PROBLEM' was created. Wow you can do anything to Windows through the registry. 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. If youve never worked with it before, consider reading about how to use the Registry Editor before you get started. 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. Windows 10 is just the most obvious version to demo on and for. All rights reserved. The tiny black squares remain. I downloaded an old program I had used in Windows 7 that allowed me to control the Content Menu. This is not a solution, since it introduces apparent randomness into the display of desktop icons. I always hated them, never thought there was something I could do about them. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Ultimate Windows Tweaker automatically creates a system restore point for you when it starts, but if youre concerned about a tweak go ahead and back up your computer first. I know its just an indicator of the icon being a shortcut but Id rather have a clean looking icon rather than a small overlay. :-). It has consistently beenone of the first things I would change on an XP (or newer) installation. Then Small Windows prompted Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your PC? Tried this - on my machines the shortcuts disappeared - but were replaced by a square black box ! So?? remove desktop shortcut icons with arrows whenever l install a new application on the computer. Click on the Yes/Ok button to continue if you see a prompt. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. She earned an MA in Writing from Rowan University in 2012 and wrote her thesis on online communities and the personalities curated in such communities. Are they the black squares I'm also experiencing right now? I never cared about arrows, but I might do this :), I keep my desktop empty except recycle bin. i did this. Proceed with caution. Yet for me, it's my biggest nuisance. I still don't get why people put crap on the desktop. Right-click on Explorer and select New> Key. Incorrect. You can now either reboot the computer or log off and on back again to complete the changes. Microsoft added a big search box in the task bar in Windows 10. Afterwards, you should have a nice, clean desktop with no arrow shortcuts. This also happened with previous versions of Windows when I tried to use a 3rd-party tool to do the same thing. This is an irrational one to me. 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. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Now well change the value. From now on, you will no longer see the arrow icon overlay on the shortcut icons. Double click/tap on the 29 String Value to modify it. I appreciate you sharing. That is it. You can replace the regular arrows with the super large, Vista-style arrows. If you are someone who does not even want to see the shortcut icon with the shortcut files, folders, and programs, then you can remove it too. It worked, but after the first day completed, I now have big black boxes where the arrows usually would reside. 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One of the biggest changes in Windows 11 is the placement of the Start Menu on the taskbar. To do so, reopen the Registry Editor, right-click the 29 string for the Shell Icons key, and select the Delete option. 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". You need to scale up or down the icons on the desktop with CTRL + mouse wheel up or down. Navigate to and open the folder that includes the ShortcutArrow Changer setup file. A crack is meant to bypass security. Step 5: Click again on the "Edit" menu, on "New", then on "String Value". Just download it, run it, and start tweaking. For Windows 8, youll need UWT 3. Someone who sees his desktop regularly and hates the little arrows would obviously be making a different calculation. This "how to" is not a PRO stuff but without stating BACKUP warning you show that you arent any pro either. Download Remove the Shortcut Arrow Icon in Windows 10 & 11. Select an arrow to download from there, and click the ICO button. It looks like a real Window that shows just beautiful landscapes (soo peaceful). Please help and I will be waiting for your kind reply. Windows 11/10 doesnt include any built-in option with which you can disable shortcut icon arrows. It also happens to be free and its a portable tool, so theres nothing to install. Press Enter. I use the arrows to differentiate a shortcut from an actual file. To do that double click on 29. Now ,perfect and clean my pc desktop. If not, then create a new one by Right-click on the Explorer folder, click New and tap on Key. The button will now be named Restore Shortcut Arrows To Shortcut Icons.. i had to clean install windws 8, now i am using windows 8. Neither have arrows! Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Next, extract the remove_shortcut_arrow_icon.reg file. those are the icons am talking about that l want to remove. The registry tree you provided it's true. U can delete the key to go back. An example, iTunes. And make win. No harm done though everything is perfect now. Save it to the C:\Program Files (x86)\BTI Software House\ShortcutArrow Changer folder. Haha. I followed steps. 1) Delete the 29 string value in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Icons key. This is how you can disable shortcut icon arrows with ShortcutArrow Changer. Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published References This registry change caused a problem in that it turned all my desktop shortcut icons into little black squares. Customize your desktop screen easy. Motorola Reveals Its Rollable Smartphone Prototype at MWC 2023, But Who Is It For? How to Remove Shortcut Arrow Icon in Windows 10 & 11, Download registry file to remove arrow icon. Click the small right-pointing arrow icon next to "SOFTWARE." So, right-click on the Explorer folder and select the New -> Key option. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. It worked fine for me on Windows 7-64 and Windows 10-64. 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. Right click on the Desktop, Choose. Next, youre going to create a new value inside the Shell Icons key. What other visual cue does it have to tell you it's a shortcut? After the restart, youll notice the shortcut icons on your desktop dont have arrows on them. 2 Press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog, type regedit into Run, and click/tap on OK to open Registry Editor. 8. Do you have something easier? In the left Pane expand Explorer and right click on it , choose New - Key and name it Shell Icons. Alternatively, move the arrows ICO file into that folder after downloading it. Never the less removing those arrows really makes the icons look better but not like the start menu. Nevertheless, you can still remove those arrows from desktop shortcut icons in Windows 11/10 with the two alternative methods below. To undo that change, you can delete the file called "29" from the folder you created. It should be in the setting like toggle button. I hate desktop icons so much that I just remove them completely. Step 2: Navigate to the following key in Windows Registry Editor. What Is the Windows Registry and How Do I Edit It? One of the best is Ultimate Windows Tweaker 4 for Windows 10. Since the days of Windows 95 whenever you placed a shortcut on the desktop for app or document, an arrow is placed on the lower corner of the icon. You can leave the Shell Icons key in place. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Instead, we are going to show you how to do it the nitty gritty way through the registry. This caused my destop icons to start showing up all black!!! Okay. 5. I don't like the arrows either. For anyone looking for a solution with a simple click, this is the way to go. and is everything ok on your side? If you attempt this method and get either transparent, black, or white boxes, you'll want to restore a backup of the Registry that you made. Shortcuts are an easy way to open any application quickly. Read also: How to Add Icons to the Desktop in Windows 11. If you ever want to revert, simply delete the 29 value you created in Step 6, and you are good to go. please send us a fix, Skip step 7. If you want a dumb-system all locked down, go to OSX. He's also written hundreds of white papers, articles, user manuals, and courseware over the years. well, it didn't work for me. Type or copy-paste HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > Explorer in given space in Registry Editor. Did it work? 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. So names on options may differ.. As I mentioned, there are plenty of apps that do this. Just changes a behaviour. Now there's just the name and no icon on my desktop. I have a desktop menu on the task bar. 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. Now I'm on Windows 10 and the only things I have on the desktop is the Recycle Bin and GodMode. 209.236.71.63 Thats all it takes! When you are . 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. In Windows 10, just load up Task Manager (Run > taskmgr, via Ctrl+Alt+Del, or by right-clicking on Start button), scroll down to find "Windows Explorer" under the "WIndows processes" grouping, select it, and click the Restart button. All you must do is make a few registry changes, and you are good to go. How-To Geek is where you turn when you want experts to explain technology. Major Geeks for more than your General Needs. If you dont like it, heres how to remove the shortcut arrow from shortcut icons in Windows 10 and 11. Pssh. If theres not, youll need to create it by right-clicking the Explorer folder icon, choosing New > Key, and naming it Shell Icons. Its the easiest way to get rid of the arrow overlay. RELATED: How to Make Your Own Windows Registry Hacks. Steps to Remove shortcut arrows by editing the Registry manually:-. If I see the arrow I know I can toast it and not lose an app. You are the man. To do so right-click the Explorer key in the left pane, then select New > Key and name it Shell Icons. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. If you want to bringthe arrows back, just delete the 29 value you created. Enter shortcut arrow icon in that websites search box to find more. Click the Key option on the submenu. Now I have a black box in place of arrows. Or if you have any questions, you can always count on our Windows 10 Forums at Windows Central for more help. I'm leaving my work incomplete! Go one step further and don't have desktop icons at all! I don't treat my desktop as if it is a folder to store things. Go back to the shell icons 29 that you just made. I have Win10 Pro, ver2004, Build 19041.572. Please update the article with this information! Since we launched in 2006, our articles have been read billions of times. This process could also be used to create a custom icon overlay graphic. Remove Shortcut Arrow Overlay on Windows 10 1. But hey, it works for some people. Windows 11s default shortcut icon arrows arent especially visually appealing or important to keep. Use Winaero Tweaker instead if thats the case. This is very helpful to restore the registry to the original state. Please signup for the WindowsLoop newsletter by clicking the following link: WindowsLoop Newsletter Signup. ya those little arrows are my main reason why i don't put any app on desktop i don't like them i keep everything in startscreen. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Since you are wanting to restore the default shortcut arrows, see if this below may be able to. You can restore the shortcut arrows at any time. 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 a small detail, but a very thoughtful one. This wikiHow will teach you how to remove shortcut arrows on your Windows shortcut icon by changing a few things in the Registry Editor. 90% of the icons on my desktop are shortcut icons, and now I want to get rid of those arrows. The backup helps you restore the system if anything terrible happens. Nice idea, though. Click the small right-pointing arrow icon next to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE." Before we move ahead, its important to take a back-up of the registry. Right click on \Explorer and using the dialog menu choose New > Key and name it Shell Icons. Click once and press restart or reboot the computer or log off and on to complete the task. If you attempt this method and get either transparent, black, or white boxes, you'll want to restore a backup of the Registry that you made. You might already have a subkey named Shell Icons. 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. I tried it and changes the shortcut Icon and that gives a new look on my desktop. Step 3: Right-click on the Explorer Registry Key. Guns are dangerous but you can learn to use them so you don't shoot yourself or someone by accident. Before editing the registry, make a registry backup. I was looking for how to do this. Choose Yes, Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer. Lets see how to do it. I always do that. First of all it was because of those annoying little shortcut arrows, now it just looks messy with anything on it. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/02\/Remove-Shortcut-Arrows-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Shortcut-Arrows-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/02\/Remove-Shortcut-Arrows-Step-1.jpg\/aid11836538-v4-728px-Remove-Shortcut-Arrows-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":344,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":545,"licensing":"