how do you remove shortcut arrow from desktop icon

Anonymous
2011-01-18T14:51:03+00:00

i have win7 pro 64bit .....and i want to remove shortcut arrow from desktop icon....plz can u suggest me how to do it.....which registry have to be deleted?

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Anonymous
2012-02-09T17:39:38+00:00

On Tue, 18 Jan 2011 14:51:03 +0000, bigyan adhikari wrote:

i have win7 pro 64bit .....and i want to remove shortcut arrow from desktop icon....plz can u suggest me how to do it.....which registry have to be deleted?

Although it's possible to remove the arrow, my recommendation is that

you do not do this. The arrows serve an important

function--providing quick visual identification of a shortcut. If you

remove the arrows, you run the substantial risk that sooner or later

you will delete something you wanted to keep, thinking that you were

just deleting a shortcut to it. I would leave the arrows as they are.


Ken Blake (MS MVP)

I think there are valid situations for this.  I would like to remove the arrow for shortcuts on the Desktop that I keep to certain folders.  I have file extensions on and don't keep installers on the Desktop, so I don't see the harm in removing the arrow from my "Documents" shortcut.  I won't ever think Documents is actually stored on the Desktop.  And if anything, it would only make me more hesitant to delete a shortcut, not more likely to delete a real folder.  I wouldn't advocate removing the arrow systemwide, but it would be useful for specific Desktop icons.  This is obviously the case, because Microsoft decided to remove the arrow for the "User's Files" folder added through the "Desktop Icon Settings" panel.

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-11-12T02:23:25+00:00

    I found this discussion just now.

    I still do not see a satisfactory answer for Win 7 64bit that is recommended by Microsoft.

    I just want to remove the arrows.

    I am an adult, and I'll decide, thank you.  I organize my desktop fine and I know what is going on.

    So how about an answer for Win 7 64bit??

    Thanks

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-11-07T09:27:18+00:00

    If you accidentally deleted an actual file, say goodbye to the file.

    The deleted file goes into the RecycleBin/Trash where it can be restored if needed until is later emptied manually.

    "Don't turn off the light switch because it will get dark."

    "Yes ... that is a risk.  However, you can turn the light switch back on and then the light returns."

    "Oh."

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-11-02T04:31:00+00:00

    Ouch - some people were getting stroppy about opinions, what ! ( jai especially).

    There are a number of programs that will remove the arrow.

    Tweak Now Power Pack ( The 2011 version is free ) has the option in it's 'miscellaneous' section.

    Major Geeks, or Softpedia may have another options.

    I only use short-cuts on the desktop (including short cuts to a folder/file rather than 'real' folders),

    so there is no need to worry about accidentally deleting a real file.

    Having said that, when people do use the desktop for 'real' files I can appreciate the risk of

    loss (especially if the trash gets emptied automatically, or files don't get moved to the bin when deleted ) would be very real.

    .

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-11-02T00:17:11+00:00

    On Thu, 1 Nov 2012 22:28:01 +0000, Raymond S Parker Sr wrote:

    Ken, I disagree with you completely! 

    You are disagreeing with something I said almost two years ago?

    You are certainly free to disagree with anything I say, but if you
    want to do it by replying here, please do it much more quickly.


    Ken Blake

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