How To Remove Windows 7 Shortcut Arrows (And Restore Them!)

Written by Rob Nichols on December 14, 2009 · Filed under How To, Software 

For some reason, unknown to me, Microsoft insist on slapping humungous arrows all over your shortcuts.

This is particularly annoying when, like me, you have large icons on your desktop. As you enlarge the size of your icon, the size of the arrow gets even more annoying. Luckily for us Windows 7 users, there is a workaround. If all goes to plan for you, it is an extremely simple workaround as the correct registry modifications are already made for you.

Remove Windows 7 Shortcut Arrows

1. Firstly, you need to download the files over on this page. Included will be a number of files including the registry keys for both 32 and 64-bit Windows named “32/64-bit_remove_shortcut_arrow”, as well as a blank icon file, simply named ‘blank’ with no image. There should also be a “Restore_Shortcut_Arrow” which is the same for both 32 and 64-bit.

2. The next step after this is to cut and paste the blank icon file to your C:/Windows directory. You will probably be prompted by the ever infuriating user account control, just allow it.

3. Next, you will need to decide whether or not you need the 32 or 64-bit registry key (depending whether you have a 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7 installation), the short process is still the same for both. Once you have found the relevant file, right click on the icon and click Merge.

4. Again, you will probably be faced with numerous warnings about editing the registry, you need to allow it for this to work, but I can assure you that I have done this several times and I have never encountered any problems.

5. Once you have done this, you need to logout and in again, or go through the tedious process of restarting your machine. Once you are back onto your account you should be faced with clean desktop shortcuts which will make your desktop a lot more attractive.

Once the process is completed you can delete the files from your desktop. However, it may be of note to keep the “Restore_Shortcut_Arrow” file as this is used to restore the arrows in the future (I don’t know why you would want to).

Restore Windows 7 Shortcut Arrows

The process of restoring the icons is just as simple. Simply right click on the “Restore_Shortcut_Arrow” and click merge again. Basically, it is just the exact reverse of the original process.

I hope this works for you, I have never encountered any problems with it myself, but obviously it might be best to make backups as necessary before you start, just in case something goes wrong.

Via – Seven Forums