Changes in the 'arrow' displayed on desktop icons

rzn6jw · May 1, 2022

This isn't extremely urgent but I wonder if MicroSoft has a random appearance change going on just to spice up the desktop. Recently, I've noticed a change in the 'arrow' displayed on desktop icons. They randomly change as displayed in the attached jpgs. Does anyone know why they randomly change? The first image is what is normally displayed, the second is a changed icon, and the third shows the second image changed back.

Alex__ASSR · May 1, 2022

everything is normal here despite not using shortcut arrows on my icons anymore.

Program_Manager 01_05_2022 14_25_59 00594.png

rzn6jw · May 1, 2022

I went in the registry and created Shell Icons folder in Explorer name value 29 pointing at C:/Windows/blank.icon. Even though the blank.icon is in the 'correct' place in the Windows root directory, rebooting did not remove the arrows. Any ideas why? Running Windows 11 Pro v21H2 build 22000.652.

JMedlock83 · May 1, 2022

rzn6jw said:
I went in the registry and created Shell Icons folder in Explorer name value 29 pointing at C:/Windows/blank.icon. Even though the blank.icon is in the 'correct' place in the Windows root directory, rebooting did not remove the arrows. Any ideas why? Running Windows 11 Pro v21H2 build 22000.652.

Did you try this

Do this to get rid of shortcut arrows in the Windows 10

glasskuter · May 1, 2022

I use the portable version of winaero tweaker to remove shortcut icons. You have to scroll to the bottom and find 'shortcuts'

Winaero

At the edge of tweaking

winaero.com

rzn6jw · May 1, 2022

Tried the registry edit, didn't work. Tried Winaero, didn't work. Tried JMedlock83's suggestion, didn't work. Guess I'll give up. Thanks for your help.

Bug locker · May 1, 2022

rzn6jw said:
I went in the registry and created Shell Icons folder in Explorer name value 29 pointing at C:/Windows/blank.icon. Even though the blank.icon is in the 'correct' place in the Windows root directory, rebooting did not remove the arrows. Any ideas why? Running Windows 11 Pro v21H2 build 22000.652.

Also i m running Windows 11 Pro v21H2 build 22000.652. Winaero tweaker works OK. Did you try that ?

glasskuter · May 1, 2022

If Winaero Tweaker doesn't work it's probably because of some registry change or tweak you have already done. I would guess what you tried to do in the registry. Winaerotweaker has never failed me and I've been using it for many years.

rzn6jw · May 1, 2022

Nope. Deleted my entries in regedit and tried Winaero again. Still didn't work. Seems to me I had this same issue in either Win 7 Pro or Win 10 Pro and couldn't get rid of the arrows either.

Redid Winaero doing Windows default first and things looked weird, blue arrows on for example the documents and downloads folders, on game launchers like UbiSoft and Origin, but green arrows on game icons, text documents and pictures icons. Did the 'no arrow' in Winaero and all the blue arrows disappeared but the green arrows remained. Got me!!

Alex__ASSR · May 1, 2022

rzn6jw said:
I went in the registry and created Shell Icons folder in Explorer name value 29 pointing at C:/Windows/blank.icon. Even though the blank.icon is in the 'correct' place in the Windows root directory, rebooting did not remove the arrows. Any ideas why? Running Windows 11 Pro v21H2 build 22000.652.

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

; Alex Sandro - Configuração de registro do Windows

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Icons]
"29"="%SystemRoot%\\Blank.ico,0"

AddRAM · May 1, 2022

They look fine to me.

Always Why · May 1, 2022

Try the download from the post in this forum.

Remove Shortcut Arrow Icon in Windows 11 Tutorial

A shortcut is a link to an item (such as a file, folder, or app) on your PC. You can create shortcuts and then place them in a convenient location, such as on the desktop, so you can easily access the item that the shortcut links to. Shortcut files (.lnk) can be distinguished from the source...

www.elevenforum.com

johnlgalt · May 1, 2022

Do you have any other software like Startisback, etc. running that may also be playing around with your desktop? It sounds like there is another app installed somewhere that is doing something.

rzn6jw · May 2, 2022

Have tried the download from the tutorial and that doesn't work either. I have Stardock running to have my desktop look like Win 10 but that doesn't have any options to fool around with the shortcut arrows. I'm at a loss here but thanks for all your help!!

rzn6jw · May 6, 2022

OK, this is weird.....just got on the PC and all the shortcut arrows have vanished. Haven't booted the PC or anything. Wonder what's doing all this.

rzn6jw · May 6, 2022

Just saved a file to OneDrive and, BOOM, all the arrows were back. ???????????

RFS · May 6, 2022

rzn6jw said:
Just saved a file to OneDrive and, BOOM, all the arrows were back. ???????????

Just experienced the same problem as you with all the arrows on the desktop changing to be like those in the second picture of your first post. I rebooted and all went back to normal. Only happened once so far.

johnlgalt · May 8, 2022

Since these are random occurrences, I suspect that they may, in fact, coincide with (partial or full) access outages at various Microsoft servers. Since the issue fixes itself, I would not worry about it.

spapakons · May 9, 2022

I use Frameworxx FX Visor to replace the default shortcut icons with a light blue arrow (see photo). It also has the option to totally remove the shortcut icon. To install and use it you have to enable Microsoft dotNET 2/3 in Programs and Features, Windows Features. This utility works in Windows 7 or newer 32-bit ot 64-bit.

elbmek · May 15, 2022

winaero tweaker

Changes in the 'arrow' displayed on desktop icons

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