Personalization Remove Shortcut Arrow Icon in Windows 11

KeithConover · Feb 9, 2023

I take it back. After rebooting, the tiny arrows came back. Only they're not little arrows, they're little checkmarks. Very strange.

Brink · Feb 9, 2023

KeithConover said:
I take it back. After rebooting, the tiny arrows came back. Only they're not little arrows, they're little checkmarks. Very strange.

Hello Keith,

That looks like the green tick icon for OneDrive like below.

What do the OneDrive Sync Status icons mean in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will explain and show you what the OneDrive sync status icons mean in Windows 10 and Windows 11. You can use OneDrive to sync files and folders between your computer and the cloud, so you can get to your files from anywhere - your computer, your mobile device, and even through the...

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KeithConover · Feb 10, 2023

Aaah. Thanks for the tip. Apparently Win11 decided to back up a bunch of stuff to OneDrive without letting me know. Fixed now. I do like OneDrive and use it, but I want to control what is there. I already have SOS online backup, Acronis to an external HDD, AND I sync my desktop graphics workstation to my laptop using GoodSync on a regular basis, sometimes several times a day. So I don't NEED Windows backing stuff up without my permission. It's a good default for newbies, but it would have been nice if Windows let me know so I could turn it off.

Right-click OneDrive icon > Gear icon > Sync and Backup > Manage Backup > turn off Documents Pictures and Desktop.

Brink · Feb 10, 2023

KeithConover said:
Aaah. Thanks for the tip. Apparently Win11 decided to back up a bunch of stuff to OneDrive without letting me know. Fixed now. I do like OneDrive and use it, but I want to control what is there. I already have SOS online backup, Acronis to an external HDD, AND I sync my desktop graphics workstation to my laptop using GoodSync on a regular basis, sometimes several times a day. So I don't NEED Windows backing stuff up without my permission. It's a good default for newbies, but it would have been nice if Windows let me know so I could turn it off.

Right-click OneDrive icon > Gear icon > Sync and Backup > Manage Backup > turn off Documents Pictures and Desktop.

Turn On or Off OneDrive Folder Backup Syncing Across Windows 11 Devices Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off OneDrive folder sync for your Microsoft account across all your Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices you sign in with the same Microsoft account. You can use OneDrive to sync files and folders between your computer and the cloud, so you can get to...

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KeithConover · Feb 10, 2023

Aaaah! Nooo! After I turned these off, it turns out that all the shortcuts that I had been adding to my desktop I'd really been adding to my desktop on OneDrive. And now most of my desktop icons are missing! (Well, it's easy enough to drag them back to where I wanted them.) I wish Windows had ASKED me if I wanted my desktop to be in the cloud. No, I want to be able to use my computer even if my Internet connection is down!

Brink · Feb 10, 2023

KeithConover said:
Aaaah! Nooo! After I turned these off, it turns out that all the shortcuts that I had been adding to my desktop I'd really been adding to my desktop on OneDrive. And now most of my desktop icons are missing! (Well, it's easy enough to drag them back to where I wanted them.) I wish Windows had ASKED me if I wanted my desktop to be in the cloud. No, I want to be able to use my computer even if my Internet connection is down!

Yeah, it would be nice if it "copied" them and not "moved" them.

You would think "Back up" to OneDrive implies copy and not move.

LGM11 · Jul 21, 2023

Hello ... I am setting up a new Asus UN5401 laptop with Windows 11 and I downloaded the file to remove the shortcut arrows. After applying the files as directed, there is now a blank page on shortcuts (see image attached). I am wondering if this is because the native screen resolution of the desktop is 4k (3840 x 2400)?

Does anyone know the cause of this and how to fix?

Brink · Jul 21, 2023

LGM11 said:
Hello ... I am setting up a new Asus UN5401 laptop with Windows 11 and I downloaded the file to remove the shortcut arrows. After applying the files as directed, there is now a blank page on shortcuts (see image attached). I am wondering if this is because the native screen resolution of the desktop is 4k (3840 x 2400)?

Does anyone know the cause of this and how to fix?

Hello mate,

I just tested on a system with a 3840x2160 resolution, and it still worked. I wouldn't think the minor difference between our resolutions would matter.

Just to confirm, did you unblock the blank.ico file before moving/copying it into the C:\Windows folder? If not, it could cause it to show like you're seeing.

LGM11 · Jul 21, 2023

Oh, duh, I feel a little stupid now. While reapplying the blank icon, I realized I initially put it in the wrong folder. It's working now that I put it in the right folder.

Thanks for the quick replies. May look into WinAero as well to see if there are any other tweaks I want to make.

Brink, I have a question -- the "extra large" thumbnails I choose to view in folders only come up as pretty small with a white border around them. I see that others in the Microsoft community have complained about this using high res screens and Windows 11. Is there a workaround/fix for this?

Brink · Jul 21, 2023

LGM11 said:
Oh, duh, I feel a little stupid now. While reapplying the blank icon, I realized I initially put it in the wrong folder. It's working now that I put it in the right folder.

Thanks for the quick replies. May look into WinAero as well to see if there are any other tweaks I want to make.

Brink, I have a question -- the "extra large" thumbnails I choose to view in folders only come up as pretty small with a white border around them. I see that others in the Microsoft community have complained about this using high res screens and Windows 11. Is there a workaround/fix for this?

Great news. :party:

You could test using different DPI scaling levels to see if one may help with using the extra large thumbnails. Personally, I don't find a need to use a size more than large with a proper DPI.

Change Display DPI Scaling Level in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to change the DPI scaling level for all or specific displays to make everything appear smaller or larger on the display(s) for your account in Windows 11. Dots per inch (DPI) is the physical measurement of number of pixels in a linear inch of a display. DPI is a...

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