📎 AI Summary:
The thread discusses a user’s attempt to remove shortcut arrows from desktop icons in Windows 7 by editing the registry, which causes inconsistent visual issues. Contributors question the necessity of removing them, suggesting it's a matter of personal preference, and share alternative tips and tools like Ultimate Windows Tweaker that can achieve similar modifications. Overall, the user appreciates the suggestions and notes that the tweak utility was the only effective solution they found.
I

iflog

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Jan 19, 2010
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Thread Author #1
Hello. I would like to remove the shortcut arrows from the icons on my desktop. I made the registry change by creating a new key, naming it Shell Icons and putting in a new string

%windir%\System32\shell32.dll,-50

When I start my computer sometimes the arrows are gone and sometimes there is a black box where the arrow was.

I run Windows 7 Professional on a 64 bit Quad core with 8GB Ram and a SSD main hard drive.

Thanks
 

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Neemobeer

Neemobeer

Windows Forum Team
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#2
Why would you want to remove them? This indicates the icon is a shortcut and not an actual data file.
 

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I

iflog

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Jan 19, 2010
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Thread Author #3
Why does anyone do any customization on anything? Personal preference.
 

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pnamajck

pnamajck

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Aug 28, 2014
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#4
personally, iflog … i don't even like icons on the desktop (not even recycle-bin) … i figure that's what windows start-menu is for. however, a personal toolbar might compliment the arrangement … one that hides when not in use. notepad 'n wordpad 'n explorer are the only icon-pins residing permanently on taskbar. if curious, here's screen-cap of my current desktop: Share your Windows 10 desktop

i've seen a few tutorials on the internet … one even claims a simple ctrl/r click will "refresh" the desktop … dunno' if that works or not for your environment, iflog.
 

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I

iflog

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Jan 19, 2010
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Thread Author #6
Thanks for any help and suggestions. I found the only program that did work was the Ultimate Windows Tweaker.
 

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