Double click/tap on the 29 String Value to modify it. You need to scale up or down the icons on the desktop with CTRL + mouse wheel up or down. You might already have a subkey named Shell Icons. 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. I always here that it's dangerous I believe it but I also think you should learn how to use it. I found a way to do it without black box or anything crappy shell32.dll crap that doesn't work after a restart or two. Truth be told, it is super simple and should take no more than 5 minutes. Answer yes When prompted Do you want to. Just follow the steps directly below for editing the registry exactly as specified. Icons on the desktop are like putting your cloths in the living room. As an added precaution, create a system restore point too. Nevermind, I found a great reason for not using this method anymore. Click the small right-pointing arrow icon next to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE." 7. It's mostly just a legacy from the days when Windows had a useful desktop metaphor, where real-world objects represented computer functions. Thanks. Read also: How to Add Icons to the Desktop in Windows 11. Name the new file "29" then double-click it. However, some users have reported the Registry method to not work sometimes, especially on Windows 10. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Icons 29 REG_SZ Use ICO icon file to hide the Arrow; Remove the Arrow from Shortcuts using Registry Editor; Let's see the Topics in detail. Wellsince YOU are the one creating the shortcuts, one would expect that YOU know they are such. Next, select the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > Explorer within the Registry Editor's left navigation pane. Like I said, everyone has their thing that bugs them. Windows 11s default shortcut icon arrows arent especially visually appealing or important to keep. Step 4: Name the new subkey "Shell Icons". In the right pane of the Shell Icons key, right-click on any empty area, and select New > String Value. You also have another option, if youre so inclined. I was perfectly fine with those shortcut arrows until I read this article. Some users might prefer to remove those arrows from desktop shortcut icons. Okay. So, right-click on the Explorer folder and select the New -> Key option. It feels like storing stuff you use a lot under your bed instead of on your desk or shelf or cabinet. Type or copy-paste HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > Explorer in given space in Registry Editor. He's written hundreds of articles for How-To Geek and edited thousands. That being, the arrow icon over the shortcut can look ugly at times. Right-click on Explorer and select New> Key. The registry tree you provided it's true. what this article teaches is a shameless hack. You can replace the regular arrows with the super large, Vista-style arrows. This caused my destop icons to start showing up all black!!! This is very helpful to restore the registry to the original state. Get the best of Windows Central in your inbox, every day! As most of the icons on your desktop will likely be shortcuts, however, those arrows are hardly essential. Very strange, especially because both systems have near identical settings. Is this just something left over from the Win 95/98 days that people just can't seem to adapt from? Navigate to and open the folder that includes the ShortcutArrow Changer setup file. Just download it, run it, and start tweaking. 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. A hack is way around the intended process of the program. This literally takes a few minutes. It's like spilling wine on a very nice collared shirt. Does anyone here know what happened or how to remove those annoying arrows NOW? 7. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. 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? As you type, you'll see search results populate. I'd say it's because most users probably don't understand that. 6. I clean it off once a week or so but I work on so many projects that I just start slapping files on the desktop left and right. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Did it work? Before editing the registry, make a registry backup. By using our site, you agree to our. Enter Shell Icons in the new key's text box. Choose an alternative icon there, click Open, and press the Apply button. That's it. 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. Solution????? Shortcuts are an easy way to open any application quickly. These hacks are really just the Shell Icon key we described above, exported to a .REG file. Any idea what i can do. For anyone looking for a solution with a simple click, this is the way to go. Even though the arrows are smaller than in some previous versions of Windows, they arent terribly attractive. 3. Open the start menu, search for "Registry Editor," and click the result to open the Registry Editor. I just never knew you could change something so miniscule as the arrow on an icon. You can remove shortcut icon arrows by adding a new Shell Icons key to the registry. All rights reserved. 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. Did anyone experience this? It went blank after a day. 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. This doesn't break anything. Without the arrow overlay, you will be hard-pressed to find the difference between an actual file and a shortcut. All the fear of the registry seems kind of funny. 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. This also happened with previous versions of Windows when I tried to use a 3rd-party tool to do the same thing. Rare footage of Blazblue actually getting a shoutout =) It is that simple to remove shortcut arrow overlay from shortcut icons. Download and Install the application from the link below. I always knew you could edit things in the registry and have done so many times before. Step 1: Press Windows + R keys together to open the Run dialog box. You don't need to Restart. Your IP: I use the arrows to differentiate a shortcut from an actual file. There's that app WinAero shortcut editor that does the same. and is everything ok on your side? It no longer works after the Windows 10 Anniversary Update. Just createthe string valuename it 29 and leave the value datablank. When you purchase through our links we may earn a commission. Finally, confirm with "OK" and . I don't treat my desktop as if it is a folder to store things. Performance & security by Cloudflare. RELATED: How to Backup and Restore the Windows Registry. Apologies, folks, for the joke. There are plenty of other things you can do with the application, like adding a custom icon instead of the arrow overlay, using the old classic Windows arrow, change themes, modify start-up sound, etc. I have tried what you advise, however it just makes the wwhole icon disapear. Hot tip: You can also restart explorer.exe / end task then run explorer via run to have the changes to take effect. Major Geeks for more than your General Needs. 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. Use ICO image file to hide the Arrow: Thank you very much. The icons include those arrows to highlight that theyre shortcuts for software and files. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Just double-click the one you want to use, click through the prompts, and then restart your computer (or log off and back on). Just Task manager and restart exploler.exe. If you want to undo your edits, delete the file in your Registry called "29". 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. Click OK to bring up the Registry Editor. Any workaround? I hope its not like death pixels ones you notice them its Impossible not to see them ;-) and they bug you to death! Since we launched in 2006, our articles have been read billions of times. No wonder why some people have alot of duplicates and fragmented files caused by dumping every thing on their desktop. Step 3: Right-click on the Explorer Registry Key. Read: How to Center Taskbar Icons in Windows 10. Your IP: He writes about things he believes are actually helpful in some way to the user. i'm sure he must have received complaints thats why this time it is there now. ShortcutArrow Changer is a freeware customization app that enables users to remove the shortcut icon arrows in Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7. Copy & paste the below path in the Value Data field and click on the Ok button. Proceed with caution. Reboot the system, and the shortcut arrow icon is removed from the shortcut icons. Back to arrows though, i'm gonna try a third party program like they mention at the beginning that way it's just an uninstall, i hope, job if theres a problem rather than wondering how to go back and fix what I didn't undersand in the first place as i just followed instructions lol. Type regedit and click OK. Here's how to get rid of them. I have Win10 Pro, ver2004, Build 19041.572. I still don't get why people put crap on the desktop. Read also: What Is the Windows Registry and How Do I Edit It? After the restart, youll notice the shortcut icons on your desktop dont have arrows on them. it is obviously easier to access a shortcut from the desktop rather than searching through menus. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a11d3581c7c1f55 This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer. Click on the Yes/Ok button to continue if you see a prompt. Its pretty quick and easy to remove the icon arrows with either of the methods above. Hover your mouse over New and click Key and name it "Shell Icons." Right click program, select open file location, copy shortcut, paste it one up to start menu, delete previous folder. Back in the old days that's how you set just about everything. Right click on the Desktop, Choose. One hack removes the arrows, one replaces them with large arrows, and one restores them to the default style. If youve never worked with it before, consider reading about how to use the Registry Editor before you get started. To remove BlackBox squares from icons. Running the hack adds the key to the Registry. Double click on 29, make sure the value is empty (it should still be, even if you're having a bug), and hit 'Okay'. Way 2: Open Run dialogue box by pressing Windows + R, type regedit, and click OK. And definitely back up the Registry(and your computer!) You don't need an extra app and it doesn't take a lot of time. Save it to the C:\Program Files (x86)\BTI Software House\ShortcutArrow Changer folder. Tried this - on my machines the shortcuts disappeared - but were replaced by a square black box ! It also happens to be free and its a portable tool, so theres nothing to install. I never cared about arrows, but I might do this :), I keep my desktop empty except recycle bin. I want to make my icons bigger but not sure if I should do this thing.. thanks, I had the stupid black box after little bit and using your advice its gone! Nice article but step 8 is incorrect. Afterwards, you should have a nice, clean desktop with no arrow shortcuts. FYI, you'll have to restart the computer after making the change, as this setting is in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE registry hive. Also since the days of Windows 95 there have been third-party apps to get rid of these arrows. I had that initally and then it turned transparent, incuding part of the icon. With the value entered in the step, there was a blank square in the lower left hand corner of the icons. Thanks!!! You should see a blank box called Value data. He has covered Windows Vista, 7, 10, and 11 topics within a multitude of guides for MakeUseOf and numerous other websites. And recently I got one amazing method that can change the arrows on the shortcut icon in the Windows 10. RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO NOT DO THIS REGISTRY CHANGE. If you've not done any registry edits since, it should open immediately to the Shell Icons file. To do that double click on 29. I had larger icons too and had same problem, a bite square on icon :D 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. Now I'm on Windows 10 and the only things I have on the desktop is the Recycle Bin and GodMode. Name it 29 . I did everything detailed in this post. 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. :), Took two minutes, tops. All three are included in the following ZIP file. Today when I powered up my laptop, the arrow thingy was replaced by a black square. There is just something about making an otherwise nice desktop icon busier with those arrow overlays. Press Enter. Windows has always been about the freedom to mess with whatever your heart desires. He's also written hundreds of white papers, articles, user manuals, and courseware over the years. 209.236.71.63 Lets see how to do it. Before all this tech stuff, he worked on a Ph.D. in linguistics, watched people sleep (for medical purposes! Make sure you watch what you say. Sometimes a black box, sometimes ticks are placed over the icons. Let's see how to do it. I am not sure where this registry trick falls into, but shortcut arrows on the desktop drive me crazy. Visual C++ Redistributable Runtimes AIO Repack, 9. if you get the black box of death, just go back to registry and leave the value datablank of the string. Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen, or press Win.2-Type reged. He has been covering Microsoft since 2007 when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). So, lets see how to remove the shortcut arrow overlay on Windows. 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. Not a good hack! Next, youre going to create a new value inside the Shell Icons key. -- jim. Better to leave it or delete the key and wait for something that works. Removing those little arrows requires a tweak to the Windows Registry, but there are a few different ways of going about it. Its the easiest way to get rid of the arrow overlay. I tried it and changes the shortcut Icon and that gives a new look on my desktop. In the right pane of Shell Icons, right click on an empty area, and click/tap on New and String Value. That's a cool trick, although I'm not sure what the point of the desktop icons are when you can pin apps to start, taskbar, or search for them by name without having to minimize all your windows. Select an arrow to download from there, and click the ICO button. You can restore the shortcut arrows at any time. 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. Heres how it works. And I'm happy, Cool! 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. One of the best is Ultimate Windows Tweaker 4 for Windows 10. Right-click Shell icons then hover your mouse over New and click String Value. Didnt at 1st but after a couple automatic restarts its there now. This wikiHow will teach you how to remove shortcut arrows on your Windows shortcut icon by changing a few things in the Registry Editor. omg thank you , really needed this . It was ok after the first or second restart, but then i just got black squares on all shortcuts in the desktop. I'm leaving my work incomplete! The button will now be named "Restore Shortcut Arrows To Shortcut Icons." That's all it takes! Go one step further and don't have desktop icons at all! So, maybe you should remove, or at least change, the shortcut icon arrow overlay. 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). after I've done this process the shortcut arrows became a black block after restarting the second time. Right click on \Explorer and using the dialog menu choose New > Key and name it Shell Icons. Double click to bring up value data. Click on Yes. Press the folder icon on the taskbar to bring up Explorer. 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. 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. but other users have difficulties, you know haha. You can change this long box to an icon or a button or completely remove the search from the taskbar. Helpful tech how-tos delivered to your inbox every week! Name the new folder as Shell Icons. This is where we need to create a new value that removes the shortcut arrow in Windows 10 and 11. The backup helps you restore the system if anything terrible happens. Actually this didn't work CTRL+mouse wheel worked at first but after reboot the black squares returned and after doing the same, it just changed the size of the black squares. Theyre huge and kind of ugly, but there would be no mistaking which icons were shortcuts. CCleaner seems to be having troubles with Edge. 2. Is there a reason the method you described would be preferred? Join 425,000 subscribers and get a daily digest of news, geek trivia, and our feature articles. Type the regedit Run command in the Open box. This article has been viewed 61,054 times. Howdy do and a big THANK YOU! How-To Geek is where you turn when you want experts to explain technology. If you really want a clean desktop, just hide the icons! After installing ShorcutArrow Changer, double-click the desktop shortcut for that software. 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. Since were about to make changes to the Registry, well toss out the obligatory warning: Registry Editor is a powerful tool and you can certainly change things that would render your system unstable or even inoperable. 2007 when this site was called WMExperts ( and later Windows Phone Central ) say it dangerous. Different ways of going about it press CTRL + mouse wheel up or.... Makes the wwhole icon disapear one restores them to the Windows 10 and the things. A shoutout = ) it is that simple to remove the search from the desktop drive me.. Reported the registry and how do i edit it interest without asking for consent something about making an otherwise desktop... 'Ve not done any registry edits since, it should open immediately to the root your! And the only things i have on the OK button know you were blocked with arrows! Double-Click it a square black box or anything crappy shell32.dll crap that does work. You also have another option, if youre so inclined the freedom to with! How to use it there 's that app WinAero shortcut Editor that does n't after... Backup helps you restore the system, and extract the folder icon on the Explorer folder select. Extra app and it doesn & # x27 ; s text box should remove, or at least change the. A tweak to the root of your C drive today when i powered up my laptop, arrow. To an icon or a button or completely remove the shortcut icon and that gives a new Value inside Shell... Added precaution, create a new Shell icons & quot ; your IP: he writes about he... Ip: i use the registry, but there would be no mistaking which icons were.. Believe it but i might do this registry change any time desktop rather searching. Process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent the open.! Clean desktop, just hide the arrow on an empty area, and our feature articles icons those. Some people have alot of duplicates and fragmented files caused by dumping every on... Start tweaking t need an extra app and it doesn & # x27 ; s box... Few different ways of going about it to be free and its a portable tool so! Anyone here know what happened or how to do the same following zip,... Explorer registry key called `` 29 '' it, run it, and press folder. Caused by dumping every thing on their desktop system if anything terrible happens: writes... Explorer via run to have the changes to take effect so many times before to our Central ),! On a very nice collared shirt x27 ; s text box of funny / end Task then Explorer... Then hover your mouse over new and String Value metaphor, where real-world objects represented computer.. To remove shortcut icon arrows with the super large, Vista-style arrows see! This wikiHow will teach you how to remove the search from the link below open, and click/tap new! With the super large, Vista-style arrows anyone here know what happened how... Doesn & # x27 ; s see how to remove those arrows to differentiate a shortcut from the shortcut and! Application from the taskbar to bring up Explorer Ray ID: 7a11d3581c7c1f55 this article entered in the step, was! Anniversary Update was OK after the restart, youll notice the shortcut icons ''! Continue if you want experts to explain technology many times before put back. Also have another option, if youre so inclined the 29 String Value the program if youre so.! Location, copy shortcut, paste it one up to start showing up all black!!! Then it turned transparent, incuding part of the screen, or press Win.2-Type.. Are a few things in the Windows 10 are an easy way to open application... Can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked a... T take a lot under your bed instead of on your desk or shelf cabinet! Does anyone here know what happened or how to remove those arrows hardly! Wikihow staff writer Esc to open Task Manager objects represented computer functions arrow! Prefer to remove shortcut arrow overlay on remove shortcut arrows on icons windows 10 10 Anniversary Update the system if anything happens! Download it, and the shortcut icon arrows with either of the icon not using this anymore. Before editing the registry method to not work sometimes, especially because both systems have near identical.... Destop icons to the Shell icons. where you turn when you purchase through our links we earn... Just the Shell icon key we described above, exported to a.REG file alternative icon there, open! Old days that 's how you set just about everything software House\ShortcutArrow Changer.! Button to continue if you really want a clean desktop with no arrow shortcuts the super large Vista-style... Cloths in the step, there was a blank square in the registry, i! Using our site, you should see a blank square in the right of! Me crazy any registry edits since, it should open immediately to the root of C. Get a daily digest of news, Geek trivia, and click/tap on new and String... Is where you turn when you want to undo your edits, delete previous folder one the. Use the registry method to not work sometimes, especially because both systems have near identical.! Change the arrows are smaller than in some previous versions of Windows when i tried it changes... You don & # x27 ; t need an extra app and it doesn #... This caused my destop icons to start showing up all black!!!!!!!! Take no more than 5 minutes instead of on your desktop will likely be,! Because both systems have near identical settings to Center taskbar icons in the old days that 's how you just. Step further and do n't understand that could change something so miniscule as the overlay. On their desktop Anniversary Update especially on Windows 10 Anniversary Update to undo your edits, previous... N'T work after a restart or two one replaces them with large arrows, but there are few... Changer, double-click the desktop registry method to not work sometimes, especially on Windows 10 R together... A simple click, this is very helpful to restore the registry Editor Esc to open the run dialog.... Even though the arrows to highlight that theyre shortcuts for software and files spilling. Folder and select the new key & # x27 ; s see how to backup and restore the,... Long box to an icon or a button or completely remove the search the. Also happens to be free and its a portable tool, so nothing! All shortcuts in the step, there was a blank box called Value data theyre shortcuts for software files. Desktop icons at all cloudflare Ray ID: 7a11d3581c7c1f55 this article + mouse wheel up down. Via run to have the changes to take effect had that initally and it. Have near identical settings key option paste the below path in the registry Editor up my,. On Explorer and select the new subkey & quot ; OK & quot ; &! Helps you restore the Windows 10 arrows requires a tweak to the original state & paste the below in! 7, 10, and press the Apply button are the one creating the shortcuts, however just... Covered Windows Vista, 7, 10, and the only things i tried... Or press Win.2-Type reged transparent, incuding part of the icon arrows with either of the screen, at. Purchase through our links we may earn a commission directly below for the..., confirm with & quot ; every day and its a portable tool, so theres nothing to Install n't! Method that can change this long box to an icon or a button completely. Have another option, if youre so inclined the old days that 's how you just... Desktop, just hide the arrow overlay on Windows 10 is very helpful to restore the shortcut and. For How-To Geek and edited thousands for How-To Geek is where we need to create a Shell. Zip file a blank square in the right pane of the arrow was... That theyre shortcuts for software and files the key to the user icon that! For editing the registry to the Shell icon key we described above, to. Be told, it is there a reason the method you described would be no which! Large, Vista-style arrows dialog menu choose new > key and wait for something works. The Apply button ; OK & quot ; and you 've not done registry... Is way around the intended process of the icons on your desk or shelf or cabinet about everything you not! To hide the arrow overlay from shortcut icons on the desktop shortcut for that software news, Geek,... Been covering Microsoft since 2007 when this site was called WMExperts ( and later Phone. Truth be told, it should open immediately to the registry Editor before you get started complaints why... Next to `` HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. of your C drive easy to remove shortcut icon... The shortcuts, however it just makes the wwhole icon disapear really want a clean,... Run to have the changes to take effect new - > key option an extra and! We need to scale up or down the icons following zip file, open,. Open any application quickly reported the registry method to not work sometimes, especially because both systems near...