The arrows on the labels are not of any practical use. If they seem superfluous and unattractive to you on the "Desktop", just remove them. Consider today all possible removal methods.
How to remove arrows from shortcuts on Windows 10
Arrows are only used to identify the type of icon - label. This is not the utility file itself, but just a link to its executable file that runs the program. The file itself usually has a different location. Shortcuts are located most often on the "Desktop" and in the "Start" menu. You can remove the arrows using standard methods (using the "Registry Editor"), as well as using third-party applications.
Through the Registry Editor
Several methods can be applied in the Registry Editor window. The first one does not involve downloading any additional files from the Internet - everything happens at the expense of standard means Windows.
- We hold down two buttons on the keyboard: Win and R. This combination will launch a small "Run" window, which is used for various Windows commands. In a single line, we type regedit so that the "Registry Editor" we need appears on the screen. Enter the regedit command in the "Open" field
- Click on "Yes" to allow the utility to make changes to the computer.
Click on the "Yes" button to allow the "Registry Editor" to make changes on the computer - In the first part of the window, open the third master branch called HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
Open the third main folder HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE on the left side of the window - Now we sequentially open the following blocks: SOFTWARE - Microsoft - Windows - CurrentVersion - Explorer.
Open the Explorer folder on the left side of the window - In the last Explorer folder there should be a Shell Icons block. See if he is.
See if there is a Shell Icons section in the Explorer folder - If it is not there, right-click on the Explorer folder, and then select the second item "Create" in the list of options, and then the first item "Section". We call it Shell Icons. Open an existing or newly created section.
IN context menu Explorer folder, create a Shell Icons section if it doesn't exist - In the right part, right-click on a field free from records. Select the "Create" option, and then "String Parameter".
Create a string parameter via the context menu on the right side of the window - We type the number 29 as the name for the created entry.
- We click on it twice and insert one of the two proposed values: %windir%\System32\shell32.dll, -50 or %windir%\System32\imageres.dll, -17. So we show the way to standard image Windows called imageres.dll.
Paste the value %windir%\System32\shell32.dll,-50 or %windir%\System32\imageres.dll,-17 in parameter "29" - If you have Windows 10 version 1703 (Creators Update) and higher, then you do not need to insert a value. In this case, only an empty string will work.
- You must restart your PC for all changes to take effect. Instead, you can also restart the Explorer.exe process itself, which is responsible for running Windows Explorer. To do this, right-click on the "Taskbar" and select "Task Manager".
- In the very first tab "Processes" find the item "Explorer" in the list section " Windows Processes».
Select "Task Manager" from the context menu of the "Taskbar" - Select the item with the left mouse button and click on the "End task" button, which is located at the bottom right corner of the window.
In the "Processes" tab, remove the task from "Explorer" - Now just launch Windows Explorer by double-clicking on the This PC icon.
The disadvantage of the described method is that with the disappearance of the arrows, transparent squares with a frame usually appear. You can also solve this problem in the "Registry Editor". In particular, it is necessary to set as the value of parameter "29" an empty blanc.ico icon, specially downloaded from the Internet, instead of the imageres.dll image from the standard system library. So, what exactly needs to be done to remedy the situation?
Through the IsShortcut parameter
Another way to remove arrows using the Registry Editor, but faster, is to rename the IsShortCut parameter, which is very easy to find.
- We call the “Registry Editor” window on the screen through “Run”, using the instructions from the previous section of this article.
- We launch the very first master branch on the left side called HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.
Open the first branch HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT - You need to find one section in it - the lnkfile folder.
Open lnkfile folder under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT branch - In the list we find the key IsShortcut. Click on it once with the right mouse button. Select "Rename" from the list of available options.
Click on the IsShortcut key right click mouse and select "Rename" - We add the English word Not before Is. The result is the name IsNotShortcut.
Rename the IsShortcut setting to IsNotShortcut - Close the Registry Editor window. For the changes to take effect, we restart either the device or the “Explorer” process in the “Task Manager”.
Video: how to quickly remove arrows from shortcuts
Using the archive remove_arrow.zip
You can remove arrows from shortcuts using the archive called remove_arrow.zip. It contains the necessary files with reg extension, i.e. standard application"Registry Editor". Removal is as simple as running the archive file. At the same time, the Registry Editor window itself will not open: you will not need to launch in turn an infinite number of folders on its left side. Let's get down to business:
- Download the remove_arrow.zip archive from the Internet. To do this, you will have to use third-party sites. To find a resource in which the archive is available for download, enter the appropriate query in the field of any search engine.
- Run the downloaded archive folder. It will contain three files.
There are three files in the remove_arrow.zip archive for adding and returning arrows on icons - Let's start removing the arrows from the first Blanc.ico file. We have already met him in the second instruction in the section “Due to the “Registry Editor”. Select it with the left mouse button and click on the "Extract" button. Choose Windows folder on system drive.
Extract the Blanc.ico file to the Windows folder on the system drive - We return to the archive. Double-click to open the file "Registry Editor" RemoveArrow.reg.
- Forcibly open the file using the "Run" button.
Click on the "Run" button - We click on "Yes" to allow the "Registry Editor" to make changes to the device.
Click "Yes" to allow standard program make changes on the computer - Click "Yes" again to confirm the changes to the registry value.
Click on "Yes" to allow the file to make changes to the registry - After that, a small window will appear with a message stating that the sections and values contained in the file have been successfully entered into the registry.
The system will report that the file has successfully made changes to the registry - To return the arrows, it will be enough to open the archive again and run the RestoreArrow.reg file.
Using third party utilities
Today, a large number of applications are available for download on the Internet that help you customize the Windows operating system, including removing arrows from shortcuts. At the same time, the utilities save you from having to go to the "Registry Editor" to make changes: you do not need to "dig" in a large number of folders and look for the necessary keys (registry entries). For example, consider the two most popular programs: Winaero Tweaker and AeroTweak.
Winaero Tweaker: an application for fine-tuning Windows in English
Application for thin windows settings Winaero Tweaker from the developer of the same name makes it easy to change the values of many system parameters: from appearance before switching on and off automatic update systems. The program is suitable for Windows versions above seven. The minus of the utility is that its interface is not translated into Russian.
To remove arrows from shortcuts, follow the simple instructions:
- We go to the official page for downloading the utility installer. Find the blue link Download Winaero Tweaker and click on it.
Click on the link Download Winaero Tweaker - We launch the downloaded archive and double-click to open a single file. Follow the simple prompts in the "Installation Wizard" of the application.
Run the Winaero Tweaker file in the archive - Open the installed utility. In the first part of the window with sections, we are looking for a block called Shortcuts. In it, we immediately click on the item Shortcut Arrow.
Open the Shortcut Arrow option in the Shortcuts section - We switch our attention to the right side of the window. Here we set the value to No Arrow. At the bottom of the window, a notification will immediately appear that you need to restart the “Explorer” process. If you want the same arrows to disappear from your shortcuts, click on Restart Explorer.
Set Shortcut Arrow to No Arrow - If there is no urgency in this, click on I'll do it myself later. After the next reboot of the device, the arrows will disappear from the icons.
- When you want the arrows to reappear on the labels, set the value to either Classic Arrow or Windows Default. Then you will also need to restart the "Explorer".
AeroTweak: a small Russian utility that does not require installation
AeroTweak is a miniature Windows system tuning utility with the ability to change over 50 settings for the appearance, security, and performance of your PC. It was developed by the user Ilham Z. Its advantage is that it does not require installation: you just need to open the file in the downloaded archive and use it safely. In the window of the program itself, you can change the interface language: the Russian version is available. Where can I download it and how to work in it?
Video: Use Three Methods to Remove Arrows from Labels
How to return the arrows on the labels
If you removed the arrows using the Registry Editor, use the following instructions to return them. If you have downloaded third party utility for these purposes, make changes directly in its interface.
The fastest methods to get rid of arrows on shortcuts - third party application Aero Tweak and renaming the IsShortcut parameter in the Registry Editor. Deletion is also possible by creating a new key in the editor. As its value, you can use the path to the standard Windows image or to the downloaded empty icon Blanc.ico.
If you are one of those people who call themselves perfectionists, or if you are just annoyed by the shortcut icons on the app icon, then you have come to the right place. In this article we will talk about how to remove the arrows Windows shortcuts 10.
What the Windows Developers Are Saying
Let's start from afar. If you install Windows 10, then by default all items are displayed with an arrow in the lower left corner. These arrows mean that the element is not a separate file, but just a label. That is, a file that carries only the path to its original source. But the question is, why display it with an arrow in the corner, if everyone already understands that there are shortcuts on the desktop.
As for the developers themselves, they were asked this question on the official forums. However, the answer was not the one that many wanted to hear. They say that these label designation measures are standard, and making changes to standard elements is unacceptable.
But despite this, there have been programs on the Internet for a long time that can remove arrows from Windows 10 shortcuts. By the way, not only programs, this can be done manually, the main thing is to know how. And how to do this, you will learn by reading the article to the end. Three methods will be considered.
Method number 1. With the help of the program
So, let's look at the first way how to remove the Windows 10 shortcut arrows. The Aero Tweak program will help us with this. This program is distributed all over the Internet and is located there in open access so you can download it safely. Another plus of this utility is that it does not need to be installed, it is, so to speak, autonomous - run and use it. That is exactly what we will do.
When you open the program, you will see its interface. It consists of two areas, on the left is the tab bar, on the right is the work area. IN this moment pay attention to the panel on the left, there you need to select windows explorer. Configuration items now appear on the right, pay attention to "Do not show arrows on labels". Check the box, apply the changes and close the program. As you can see, it wasn't difficult at all. Now all you have to do is restart your computer for the settings to take effect.
So you learned how to remove arrows from Windows 10 shortcuts, but I would like to say something else. As you saw, we used only one option in the program, and there are a lot of them. So if you are curious, then look through all the settings, maybe you will find something useful. But please note that this program was intended for the seventh version of Windows, there may be failures in the tenth.
By the way, in addition to this program, you can try to remove the arrows from the shortcuts of the Windows 10 Manager program, more precisely, the Vista Shortcut Manager program.
Method number 2. Modifying the Registry with REG Files
Now we'll talk about the second way, how to remove arrows from Windows 10 shortcuts. Many may think that we will do this manually, but this is not entirely true. Of course, we will interact directly with the Windows registry, but the only changes will be that we will make ready-made files, and not write them ourselves. So for inexperienced programmers, this method is better suited.
Find an archive with files on the Internet, it is called remove_arrow.zip. It is with him that we will interact. Unzip the file to a location convenient for you. As you can see, 4 files were uploaded. We are only interested in one. Here, start from what you have operating system: 32-bit or 64-bit. If 64-bit, then open the file with the label of the same name.
You will see a window, click "Yes". After that, you will be told that all changes made to the registry have been implemented. In turn, this means that everything went well. Just like last time, all you have to do is restart your computer.
Method number 3. We do everything manually
Well, now it's time to get down to business experienced users, partly even programmers. Now we will understand how to remove arrows from Windows 10 shortcuts without resorting to any programs and files.
So, we need to get into the registry, to do this, press Win + R and write regedit in the input field. A registry will open in front of you. Find the HIKEY_CLASSES_ROOT folder and open it. Now you need to find the Lnkfile folder. Found? Click on it. You should now see the "IsShortcut" file on the right side. It is he who displays the arrows on the labels.
Right click on this file and select "Rename". You need to change its name to IsNotShortcut. Now save your changes. That's all, now the shortcuts will disappear, you just need to restart your computer.
One old proverb says: "There are no comrades for the taste and color." The ancient wisdom of law - each of us is an individual, with his own, unique view of the world. It is for this reason that everyone is trying to change and optimize everything to their liking. And so it is in absolutely everything. Starting from the elements of clothing and ending with your workplace - both real and virtual.
Shortcuts in operating systems from Microsoft are no exception to this either. Some people like the arrows on the labels, some don't like it, and some don't pay attention to it at all. Now I will show you how you can arrows with shortcuts in Windows 10, if necessary. By the way, the same method is relevant for previous versions OS - Windows 7, 8 or 8.1.
On the desktop (well, or in any other place where it is convenient), create a file text file. Then we will change its extension from *.txt to *.reg.
After that, the icon of the file should change:
Right-click on it and select "Edit" from the drop-down menu. The contents of the file should open in text editor"Notebook". There you need to write the following:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
"29"="%windir%\\System32\\shell32.dll,-50"
The result should look like this:
Save and close Notepad. Now you need to run the reg-file for execution by double-clicking on it with the left mouse button. This will add to the register Windows changes specified in the file and thus you can remove the arrow from the shortcut in Windows 10. Just remember to restart your computer to change the icons.
If you need to make the arrows on the labels appear back, just change the parameter value in the file by writing the number “-30” instead of “-50”, and run it for execution.
All labels in Windows system XP and older are marked with arrows. This is done so that users can distinguish original file from the created label. However, these arrows annoy many; if you share the opinion that these icons are not needed, then you will be interested to know how to remove the arrows from the shortcuts.
Using the tweaker
If you have a Windows 7 or 8.1 system, then you can hide the arrows with a small free utility Aero Tweak. This program does not work on Windows XP, so if you are still using old system, then use the TweakUI utility.
Important: Before making changes, be sure to manually create a restore point in order to quickly return the system to a healthy state if necessary.
Aero Tweak does not require installation. Immediately after downloading and launching, the main window appears, which contains several sections. You need a "Windows Explorer" tab. Inside it you will see the option "Do not show arrows on shortcuts" - check it and restart your computer. 
After restarting the system, the arrows should disappear. If you have any problems displaying the desktop or icons on it, use System Restore and roll back to a manually created checkpoint.
Manual registry editing
If you prefer not to use third-party software for fear of infecting your computer, you can make changes to the system registry manually.
After restarting the computer, the arrows will disappear. The method was tested on Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 - no errors appear.
Windows 10
If you need to remove the arrows on Windows 10, you will have to go a little longer:
Close the registry and restart your computer. After re-entry, the arrows should disappear. But if transparent or black squares appear in their place, then use another method:
- Download the blank "blank.ico" icon.
- In the registry editor, open the parameter "29" (the order of its creation is described above).
- Double click on the parameter and in the "Value" field specify the path to the "blank.ico" icon.
Close the editor and restart the machine. After repeated Windows startup 10, there will be clean labels on the screen, without arrows and squares.
Today I want to tell you how remove arrows from labels in Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. In the Windows operating system, by default, there are settings when shortcuts on the desktop are marked with special arrows, as if indicating that these are shortcuts (as if it’s not clear anyway). But the trouble is that not everyone likes it, well, somehow they do not decorate the program interface, but vice versa. Moreover, Windows does not even provide for disabling them, at least I have not found anywhere how to do this.
The developers themselves do not give an answer. Here is what they write. Quoting R12; " This display is standard for labels and if you have problems making changes to standard functions product, then this issue cannot be considered within this forum". By the way, here is a link to this post support answer about removing arrows.
On the Internet, you can find many ways to remove them from labels. And there are both programs, so you can manually fix the registry. In this article, I will describe both of these methods (or rather, even three), and you already choose which one is most convenient for you. For me, it's better to use a special program.
These methods work in both Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. Personally, I have tested on Windows 8.1 64 bit version.
Attention! Not tested on Windows 8.
And further! Before performing these steps, first create a Windows restore point.
Method one. Remove arrows with special program namely with the help of Aero Tweak. You don't need to install it, it just runs and that's it. Here's what the BEFORE labels look like. Those. the arrows are in place.
Now we find the downloaded program on the computer and run it.
dim program interface. On the left side, select the item "Windows Explorer" and on the right side we find the item " Do not show arrows on labels” and mark it with a checkmark.
That's basically it! Now it remains only to restart the computer.
Reboot the computer, and voila! The arrows on the desktop icons are gone.
By the way, as you can see, the program has many more additional features to customize the operating system, so if you're interested, you can experiment with it. But be careful, it is designed for Windows 7. On the eight, I only tested working with desktop shortcuts.
Method two. Disable the arrows on the desktop by editing the registry with special files with the extension .reg
Download the archive with files called "remove_arrow.zip"
We find the folder in which it was loaded and open it.
We see several files. We select the file we need, guided by which operating system you have installed. I have a 64 bit version so I run the "64-bit_Remove_Shortcut_Arrow" file. If you have a 32-bit system, then, accordingly, select another file with 32-bit. Let's launch it.
We agree with the addition of information to the registry. Click the "Yes" button
We receive a message that the information was successfully entered into the registry. Click the "Ok" button
It remains only to restart the computer and you're done.
If you are not satisfied with the desktop with shortcuts without arrows, then you can return everything to its place. To do this, you need to run the file from the archive under the name "Restore_Shortcut_Arrow.reg", agree with the addition of information and restart the computer. All arrows will fall into place.
Method three. This method is suitable for those who are already well versed in the computer and do not want to use any third party programs. Those. here we will work (as it is now fashionable to say among programmers) with pens, namely, edit. If in the second method we edited the registry using ready-made files, then here we will do it ourselves.
So open the registry editor. To do this, right-click on the "START" button (this only applies to Windows 8), and find the Run command
IN command line Type "regedit" and click "OK"
We get into the registry editor. Here we need to expand the "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT" section
In the directory tree that opens, on the left side, finds a folder named R12; lnkfile. And on the right side we find and select the parameter R12; isShortcut, who is responsible for displaying arrows on desktop shortcuts.
Click on this parameter with the right mouse button and select "Rename"
Rename it to R12; IsNotShortcut, save it so that it looks like in the picture below
We restart the computer and rejoice at the absence of arrows.
That's basically it.
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