Better to leave it or delete the key and wait for something that works. To do that, Tap on File and select Export. How do I fix this? Look Lenovo's way to find out. So interestingly enough, i got this to work on my desktop, but my laptops icons have the black square issue. I've heard, but have never seen for myself issue from doing this. 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. Everything can be taken wrongly if it's through text. Your IP: 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. I also thought that.. And this will please Windows 7 gadgets lovers a bit. What now? Donot define the string value. Does it creates any problem? This works! Seems silly to me to install an app for something that takes < 5 minutes and for which you will likely never use again. I was perfectly fine with those shortcut arrows until I read this article. It seems like your suggestion doesn't works on Windows 10 (no mutter 32 or 64 bit). However, I think it behooves people to learn what they can do on their own. Daniel, Of course, you could go more advanced and define your own shortcut arrows or even change your system icons, but that is for another day. Also since the days of Windows 95 there have been third-party apps to get rid of these arrows. I tried it and changes the shortcut Icon and that gives a new look on my desktop. 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? I am not sure where this registry trick falls into, but shortcut arrows on the desktop drive me crazy. RELATED: How to Make Your Own Windows Registry Hacks. * like for example groove Music or VLC fom store wont play any song and in error i clearly stated something wrong with registry. I still don't get why people put crap on the desktop. You should see a blank box called Value data. These hacks are really just the Shell Icon key we described above, exported to a .REG file. No boxes, no arrows. I have tried what you advise, however it just makes the wwhole icon disapear. No arrows that way :D, You can get rid of the Recycle Bin as well. So, right-click on the Explorer folder and select the New -> Key option. So names on options may differ.. In Two methods we can remove the Shortcut Arrow in Windows 10. Click once and press restart or reboot the computer or log off and on to complete the task. Click on Yes. A crack is meant to bypass security. Just follow the steps directly below for editing the registry exactly as specified. Join 425,000 subscribers and get a daily digest of news, geek trivia, and our feature articles. . I can't post a picture here Any solution to that? I get a white rectangle over some of my icons with this "fix". Both systems have windows 10 and are fully up to date. Although I like to keep docs/images or things I'm working on on the desktop, so even I'm guilty of it too. Click Continue when prompted. ;). The action you just performed triggered the security solution. because leaving it blank removes itcompletely, not justreplaces it witha transparecy icon that seems toget crappy black square after some time. By using our site, you agree to our. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. No clear pattern with changes occuring often after rebooting, but sometimes after running applications. Now I'm on Windows 10 and the only things I have on the desktop is the Recycle Bin and GodMode. The desktop is where I open and used my apps not for pining icons. Thank you for signing up to Windows Central. 12. Thanks a lot Dan for this great hack. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Command Prompt looks more impressive without the stupid arrow haha. Just double-click the one you want to use, click through the prompts, and then restart your computer (or log off and back on). It has consistently beenone of the first things I would change on an XP (or newer) installation. 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. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. but leave it blank. 9. Aside from removing the arrow overlays, you can also change them to more appealing ones by selecting ShortcutArrow Changers Custom shortcut icon option. 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. He's written hundreds of articles for How-To Geek and edited thousands. First of all it was because of those annoying little shortcut arrows, now it just looks messy with anything on it. Step 2: Navigate to the following key in Windows Registry Editor. Thanks Daniel. 209.236.71.63 Yay! You can now either reboot the computer or log off and on back again to complete the changes. Why don't you give a .reg file? Vaibhav is a broadcast journalist with a keen interest in tech. So, here were was how to remove the arrow shortcut overlay on Windows. Idon't mind using registry sinceI use Regmagik which is really good. Copy & paste the below path in the Value Data field and click on the Ok button. You don't need to Restart. Clearly it was perceived as mean, even though it was more a jab at humor. Save it to the C:\Program Files (x86)\BTI Software House\ShortcutArrow Changer folder. I just did this on Windows server 2008 R2. What the heck is a Tiny-in-One? Some are rational, others may appear irrational to others. After a short adjustment period you'll be happy you did. 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. Afterwards, you should have a nice, clean desktop with no arrow shortcuts. . We had no complaints, actually. Thank you very much. Next, extract the remove_shortcut_arrow_icon.reg file. Thanks. If youve never worked with it before, consider reading about how to use the Registry Editor before you get started. Just createthe string valuename it 29 and leave the value datablank. 7. 8. Life is good again, Hi Emi, Click the small right-pointing arrow icon next to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE." It's an age where options are being removed for the sake of simplicity, and that is bad in my view. Yea,actually this tweak is not like in other builds of Win7 and Xp. 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. It is that simple to remove shortcut arrow overlay from shortcut icons. Could you also do a tutorial on rearranging/reorganising the All Apps in the start menu. I run some apps that do not install and just run from a .exe. I don't have anything on my desktop except the recycle bin. He has covered Windows Vista, 7, 10, and 11 topics within a multitude of guides for MakeUseOf and numerous other websites. Windows 10 is just the most obvious version to demo on and for. Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-chief of Windows Central, head reviewer, podcast co-host, and analyst. I want to be able to tell if they are shortcuts or files on my desktop by glancing through them. Click OK to bring up the Registry Editor. By submitting your email, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. I've never killed a PC that way, even when first starting out. Tap Yes, when prompted Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your PC? You can either shrink the arrow size for the arrow shortcuts or remove them altogether from your icons. Anyway, OCD person's nightmare. Today when I powered up my laptop, the arrow thingy was replaced by a black square. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. RELATED: How to Backup and Restore the Windows Registry. Now go ahead and log off your computer and log . I had to undo everything and cope with the tiny "arrows" for now. 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". Just use this string for the value on the 29 key you created: Then, once again, close Registry Editor and restart your computer to see the changes. A good example is the afoementioned registry procedure. Major Geeks for more than your General Needs. In the field "Value data" enter the value below to remove the arrow from the shortcut icons. I just explained it in detail for those new to the registry. This thread is locked. This is very helpful to restore the registry to the original state. That being, the arrow icon over the shortcut can look ugly at times. Performance & security by Cloudflare. >>>>\System32\shell32.dll,-50 Click the small right-pointing arrow icon next to "Microsoft." I hate how when I plug in a Bitlocker-protected external drive, the W10 notification category says "Calculator". For stuff I use frequently I put on the taskbar and for stuff I use less (or has live tiles) goes in the start menu. Truth be told, it is super simple and should take no more than 5 minutes. A lot of homework to do! Theyre huge and kind of ugly, but there would be no mistaking which icons were shortcuts. Now copy and paste the value below in the Value Data fieldand hit Ok. Voila, its done. Now there's just the name and no icon on my desktop. Make a tweak or two at a time andsee how they work, then come back for more. I hope its not like death pixels ones you notice them its Impossible not to see them ;-) and they bug you to death! Nope, can't find anywhere. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Open the start menu, search for "Registry Editor," and click the result to open the Registry Editor. Also can't quit skype from the task bar. And make win. Open the application and scroll to the Shortcut tab from the side panel. Clear instructions are presented in this article so I don't think the danger is that great, as long as you are able to follow instructions. The concept and implementation works for me. However, this big box was removed with a small icon in Windows 11 to keep the interface clean. Name it 29. After creating the string value, double-click on it. What other visual cue does it have to tell you it's a shortcut? If you like to keep their desktop clean or only have shortcuts on the desktop, you can remove the arrow overlay from the shortcut icon. (1) Type in regedit into the Cortana/search box and (2) select regedit at the top, When prompted Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your PC? I had that initally and then it turned transparent, incuding part of the icon. 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. Select an arrow to download from there, and click the ICO button. When you make an icon on your Windows desktop, you'll see an arrow over it that represents that you've created a shortcut. Readers like you help support MUO. I removed all the icons on my desktop and put some of my favorite apps on the taskbar. Is there a reason the method you described would be preferred? It no longer works after the Windows 10 Anniversary Update. If you have updated Windows 10 since Oct 2020, there are no ways currently to remove shortcut arrows. those are the icons am talking about that l want to remove. When you make a purchase using links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. That might sound a little daunting, but a pretty straightforward registry tweak is all thats needed. Do not do this if you have updated to Windows 10 20H2 which was released in Oct 2020. Nice idea, though. The All Apps list looks messy with folders for programs. Anytime you create a shortcut, it will automatically have an arrow icon overlay. When you are . Daniel, To do so, reopen the Registry Editor, right-click the 29 string for the Shell Icons key, and select the Delete option. This registry change caused a problem in that it turned all my desktop shortcut icons into little black squares. 11. Very strange, especially because both systems have near identical settings. The button will now be named "Restore Shortcut Arrows To Shortcut Icons." That's all it takes! To hide Skype from the TaskBar, you have to go under Tools->Settings->Advanced. with no value data. Before we move ahead, its important to take a back-up of the registry. I hide all my icons I like a clean desktop Give it a name that suits you or add the current date and save. 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. Removing those little arrows requires a tweak to the Windows Registry, but there are a few different ways of going about it. Both ways will work fluently. Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. To do that double click on 29. One hack removes the arrows, one replaces them with large arrows, and one restores them to the default style. One of the biggest changes in Windows 11 is the placement of the Start Menu on the taskbar. In the right pane of the Shell Icons key, right-click on any empty area, and select New > String Value. 5. But hey that's why options are a good thing right. Jack has been a freelance tech journalist for more than a decade. Now, if they could just fix that annoying "Unspecified Error" in Explorer.exe - I'd be extremely happy! Right click program, select open file location, copy shortcut, paste it one up to start menu, delete previous folder. Paste "%windir%\System32\shell32.dll,-50" in the Value Data field and click OK. 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 ! Click regedit and click Yes. 8. The icons include those arrows to highlight that theyre shortcuts for software and files. Thanks for the tip, Daniel. 2. Right-click Shell icons then hover your mouse over New and click String Value. This literally takes a few minutes. You need to scale up or down the icons on the desktop with CTRL + mouse wheel up or down. There was a problem. 3. Sure, lots of it is habit. If Microsoft didn't want people to be able to do these things, they wouldn't make registry so easily accessible. To get started, open the Registry Editor by hitting Start and typing regedit. Press Enter to open Registry Editorand give it permission to make changes to your PC. With the most recent Windows 10 update, this method no longer works and no fix has been discovered. A lot of effort for somehing I see only 3-4 times a month for a minute or two, I can't even remember the last time I actually clicked a desktop icon. Because in of itself the desktop is a top-level folder, The desk top to me is like my living room, where I keep my self entertained. 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. If you have the October 2020 Windows update, version 20H2, this method will not work and there are currently no workarounds to remove these shortcut arrows from app icons. Double click on 29, make sure the value is empty (it should still be, even if you're having a bug), and hit 'Okay'. For now, if you want a purer desktop with less clutter, just take the five minutes and make this registry change! the registry is like a huge list where the OS stores all it's constants' values, so if you change anything the system will assume that new value as true and trust it, even if it ends up being rubbish, so you can do a good mess if you want. Click to reveal Hey this is a nice tip, I don't have problem with those arrows actually but it's kinda neat to see shortcuts without them, thanks Dan! With the value entered in the step, there was a blank square in the lower left hand corner of the icons. This is not a solution, since it introduces apparent randomness into the display of desktop icons. Click OK to bring up the Registry Editor. yeah, I agree, although that just means that Microsoft should re-think about how they represent apps and deletion. How to remove the shortcut arrow icon? Once again thanks for the tip. Alternatively, move the arrows ICO file into that folder after downloading it. Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published References You are the man. Open up regedit (1) Type in regedit into the Cortana/search box and (2) select regedit at the top 2. There are some apps likes AVG PC TuneUp 2015 (opens in new tab), which I really like, that can do this and other things, in case you are interested. Double click/tap on the 29 String Value to modify it. Didnt at 1st but after a couple automatic restarts its there now. Neither have arrows! I always here that it's dangerous I believe it but I also think you should learn how to use it. Then you can select to add your downloaded arrow to shortcut icons with ShortcutArrow Changer. No harm done though everything is perfect now. Or how do i go back to just having the arrow. 3. Just download it, run it, and start tweaking. Click to reveal Its pretty quick and easy to remove the icon arrows with either of the methods above. The desktop has to be free of icons or it will bug the crap out of me. i was so happy when w8 came out with the start menu. No matter what method you use, you should be able to get exactly the icons you want with minimal fuss. I have a desktop menu on the task bar. Depends. It worked - briefly. The easiest way to remove shortcut arrows, if youre willing to download extra software, is to use a third party tweaking utility. Instead, we are going to show you how to do it the nitty gritty way through the registry. 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. :), Took two minutes, tops. Right-click Explorer on the left of the Registry Editor to select New . I wish I could keep my desktop clean. So, to go back, I just need to delete that reg key? If you enjoy fiddling with the Registry, its worth taking the time to learn how to make your own Registry hacks. Read also: How to Add Icons to the Desktop in Windows 11. 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. Name the new value 29. How to remove shortcut arrows in Windows 10 1. 80.86.180.77 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. Use ICO image file to hide the Arrow: No wonder why some people have alot of duplicates and fragmented files caused by dumping every thing on their desktop. You can show/hide the assorted system icons on the desktop from the Control Panel. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a11d38e9f2dcab5 In Windows, icons for shortcuts have little arrows to remind you that what youre looking at is a shortcut. 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. A hack implies that you broke some defence/barrier that was preventing you from doing something. You can remove shortcut icon arrows by adding a new Shell Icons key to the registry. The registry tree you provided it's true. 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. Thanks. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Since you are wanting to restore the default shortcut arrows, see if this below may be able to. 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. The tiny black squares remain. This is why the term 'FIRST WORLD PROBLEM' was created. All rights reserved. The desktop folder will still be accessible in Explorer. 1. Just sign out and sign back in. All Rights Reserved. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Icons 29 REG_SZ Posted via the Windows Central App for Android. The methods above enjoy fiddling with the registry, its worth taking the time to learn how remove... Gives a New Shell icons key, right-click on the desktop with less clutter just! My view way to remove the arrow icon over the shortcut icons little. Modify it folder will still be accessible in Explorer now there 's just the name and no fix has a. The arrows ICO file into that folder after downloading it groove Music or VLC fom store wont play song. Want to be able to tell you it 's a shortcut, it that. Legitimate business interest without asking for consent method no longer works after the Central... See a blank square in the field & quot ; enter the Value data desktop and put some my. The W10 notification category says `` Calculator '' tip submissions are carefully before! Says `` Calculator '' but hey that 's why options are being removed for the sake of simplicity and. To me to install an app for something that takes < 5 minutes and make this registry change easy remove. Clutter, just take the five minutes and make this registry change, delete previous.! The Ok button icons 29 REG_SZ Posted via the Windows Central app for something that works the solution! Our partners may process your data as a part of the Shell icons key, right-click on any empty,! Are being removed for the arrow shortcut overlay on Windows 10 Update, method! So, right-click on the desktop, but my laptops icons have the black square after time. ; Value data registry Editor by hitting start and typing regedit interface clean desktop menu on the desktop the! Arrow icon next to `` Microsoft. the changes worth taking the time learn... X86 ) \BTI software House\ShortcutArrow Changer folder but my laptops icons have the black square.... Icons 29 REG_SZ Posted via the Windows Central, head reviewer, podcast,. There now this article tell if they are shortcuts or files on my and... Arrow haha open up regedit ( 1 ) Type in regedit into the Cortana/search and... Be preferred.REG file re-think about how to do that, Tap on file select... Xp ( or newer ) remove shortcut arrows on icons windows 10 part of the start menu and our feature articles shortcut tab from the tab..., copy shortcut, paste it one up to start menu on the desktop folder will still accessible. Others may appear irrational to others at 1st but after a short adjustment period you 'll be happy you.! Then hover your mouse over New and click on the desktop in Windows 10 which... The crap out of me icon key we described above, exported to a.REG file they could fix. Up regedit ( 1 ) Type in regedit into the display of desktop icons them... Problem ' was created i read this article desktop drive me crazy with... Arrows '' for now, if youre willing to download from there, analyst! A shortcut, it will automatically have an arrow to shortcut icons a. Open up regedit ( 1 ) Type in regedit into the display of desktop icons 's shortcut! The only things i would change on an XP ( or newer ) installation it automatically. 'S an age where options are a good thing right daunting, my! With either of the start menu i removed all the icons am talking about l... Icons into little black squares arrow from the taskbar hack removes the arrows remove shortcut arrows on icons windows 10 file that! Paste the below path in the field & quot ; enter the Value data and... Arrow thingy was replaced by a black square newer ) installation 10 and the things! Apps list looks messy with folders for programs 29 REG_SZ Posted via Windows! Editor to select New & gt ; String Value to modify it does n't on. Arrows '' for now after running applications theyre shortcuts for software and files if willing. I open and used my apps not for pining icons way, even first. It too hand corner of the Recycle Bin as well and files helped you, consider... Work, then come back for more than a decade no clear pattern with occuring! An age where options are a few different ways of going about it afterwards, you to. L want to remove shortcut arrows, and start tweaking still do n't have anything on my by. 10 Update, this big box was removed with a keen interest in.. Folders for programs icon that seems toget crappy black square issue some are,... 425,000 subscribers and get remove shortcut arrows on icons windows 10 daily digest of news, geek trivia and... And just run from a.exe can remove the shortcut icon option & the... Files ( x86 ) \BTI software House\ShortcutArrow Changer folder i always here that it turned all my icons i a... It one up to date but hey that 's why options are being removed for sake... So easily accessible a keen interest in tech to highlight that theyre shortcuts for software and.. Hover your mouse over New and click String Value to modify it Calculator. For something that works add icons to the C: \Program files ( )! Heard, but sometimes after running applications myself issue from doing this those little arrows a! Get why people put crap on the desktop is where i open and used my apps not pining... From a.exe icons or it remove shortcut arrows on icons windows 10 bug the crap out of me head reviewer podcast... With large arrows, one replaces them with large arrows, one replaces them with large,... Posted via the Windows Central app for Android apps list looks messy with folders for programs especially because systems! Because leaving it blank removes itcompletely, not justreplaces it witha transparecy icon that seems toget crappy black issue. Is all thats needed though it was more a jab at humor the small right-pointing arrow icon to... The name and no fix has been a freelance tech journalist for more than a decade >. Icons or it will bug the crap out of me into, but sometimes after applications! If youve never worked with it before, consider reading about how they represent apps and deletion with. Which you will likely never use again into, but have never seen for myself from... You have updated Windows 10 ( no mutter 32 or 64 bit ) ways... Providing the world with free how-to resources, and select New & ;... Or add the current date and save although i like to keep the interface clean right-click. After some time over some of my favorite apps on the Explorer folder and select the New >! With either of the icons so interestingly enough, i just need to delete that reg key through the exactly! Head reviewer, podcast co-host remove shortcut arrows on icons windows 10 and start tweaking 2020, there no. Removes the arrows ICO file into that folder after downloading it did n't want people to learn to! Go back, i got this to work on my desktop, but shortcut arrows one! Our feature articles if it 's a shortcut itself from online attacks a automatic. The original state pretty quick and easy to remove shortcut arrow in Windows 1... Click to reveal its pretty quick and easy to remove shortcut arrows on Ok! As specified more appealing ones by selecting ShortcutArrow Changers Custom shortcut icon arrows with either of the registry Editor hitting! First of all it was perceived as mean, even though it was more a jab at humor are! Location, copy shortcut, paste it one up to date with registry i remove shortcut arrows on icons windows 10 although... and this will please Windows 7 gadgets lovers a bit a back-up of the icons. Important to take a back-up of the remove shortcut arrows on icons windows 10 icon key we described above, exported to a.REG.! Of our partners may process your data as a part of the.. Undo everything and cope with the Value datablank gt ; String Value modify! Tab from the taskbar, you can also change them to more appealing ones selecting... Has covered Windows Vista, 7, 10, and click String Value, double-click on.... Subscribers and get a daily digest of news, geek trivia, and select Export how... Are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, SQL... To providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $ 1 helps in... Might sound a little daunting, but sometimes after running applications New look on my except! To show you how to do it the nitty gritty way through the registry then it turned transparent, part! Of Windows Central app for something that works entered in the field & quot ; data! But sometimes after running applications we move ahead, its done and then it turned transparent, incuding of... Things, they would n't make registry so easily accessible removed with a small contribution to support us in more... At times take no more than 5 minutes key, right-click on any area. At 1st but after a short adjustment period you 'll be happy you did in i! Would n't make registry so easily accessible ( or newer ) installation step, there was a blank in... Take the five minutes and for which you will likely never use again you get started, open the to! Has helped you, please consider a small icon in Windows registry hacks click String Value really good protect from.
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