'Why' arrow on my shortcuts of desktop change ?

lugran · Feb 10, 2024

I use Windows 11 Pro 22H2 ver 22621.3007.

The arrow(or some shape) on my shortcuts of desktop change continuously every few minutes.

I know it has something to do with change(copy, delete..) of files on the desktop.

But I don't know how to reliably bring about such change.

It changes into five forms, including the empty shape. (the last screenshot)

Screenshot :

Note that above screenshots were obtained without reboot or re-login.

I succeeded in obtaining these screehnshots

by making meaningless copies of test file in about 10 minutes.

I haven't tried but it seems there is a solution already :

[Win 11] Replace (not remove) shortcut arrows

Hi everybody. New Win 11 user here 👋 (you may want to read my presentation here). So, I know we can remove shortcut arrows in Win 11: 2 Ways to Remove Shortcut Arrows in Windows 11 However I don't want to remove them. I'd like to replace them with these green arrows from my current Win 7 which...

www.elevenforum.com

But I am not simply trying to solve this problem.

At first, I'm curious about this phenomenon itself.

Q1) Is this intentional (microsoft)? Then what do these icons stand for ?

Q2) What is the benefit of such feature ?

Q2) What is the principle by which such a phenomenon occurs?

Q4) Where does these icons stored ?

Berton · Feb 10, 2024

lugran said:
I use Windows 11 Pro 22H2 ver 22621.3007.

The arrow(or some shape) on my shortcuts of desktop change continuously every few minutes.

I know it has something to do with change(copy, delete..) of files on the desktop.

But I don't know how to reliably bring about such change.

It changes into five forms, including the empty shape. (the last screenshot)

Screenshot :

View attachment 86719
View attachment 86720
View attachment 86721
View attachment 86722
View attachment 86723

Note that above screenshots were obtained without reboot or re-login.

I succeeded in obtaining these screehnshots

by making meaningless copies of test file in about 10 minutes.

I haven't tried but it seems there is a solution already :

[Win 11] Replace (not remove) shortcut arrows

Hi everybody. New Win 11 user here 👋 (you may want to read my presentation here). So, I know we can remove shortcut arrows in Win 11: 2 Ways to Remove Shortcut Arrows in Windows 11 However I don't want to remove them. I'd like to replace them with these green arrows from my current Win 7 which...

www.elevenforum.com

But I am not simply trying to solve this problem.

At first, I'm curious about this phenomenon itself.

Q1) Is this intentional (microsoft)? Then what do these icons stand for ?

Q2) What is the benefit of such feature ?

Q2) What is the principle by which such a phenomenon occurs?

Q4) Where does these icons stored ?

A1. The icons are for shortcuts to installed programs. See A2.

A2. The benefit is getting quick opening of the program without having to sort through the files on the drive to locate the .exe/executable file that runs the program.

A3. Don't know.

A4. Frequently they are part of the programs software, are added during install of the program. The entries created in the Registry indicate to Windows how to run the program and where support files are stored or available.

lugran · Feb 10, 2024

Thank you, but it doesn't explain why there are five types of icons (including an empty icon) and how they differ from each other.

Answer should explain why there are five different arrows in windows 11, when the single arrow seen in Windows 10 is sufficient.

For A4) Does this mean that five icons are related to installation of a particular program?

Edwin · Feb 10, 2024

Not sure what all the shortcut icons mean, but, I'm sure it has something to do with OneDrive syncing!

Berton · Feb 10, 2024

lugran said:
Thank you, but it doesn't explain why there are five types of icons (including an empty icon) and how they differ from each other.

Answer should explain why there are five different arrows in windows 11, when the single arrow seen in Windows 10 is sufficient.

I've never seen it happen, maybe some third-party program is involved?

I'm on the latest released Build until at least Patch Tuesday.

Added: I don't use OneDrive, iDrive or any other cloud storage, prefer NAS drive.

lugran · Feb 10, 2024

Thank you, it is new information that this phenomenon is related to Microsoft Onedrive.

My Windows 11 is pure, not tweaked. Also I re-checked that Microsoft Onedrive is installed.

I don't use Microsoft Onedrive, but I don't delete it either.

If removing it will solves this problem, I will consider removing it.

More detailed answer is always welcome.

Ghot · Feb 10, 2024

lugran said:
Thank you, it is new information that this phenomenon is related to Microsoft Onedrive.

My Windows 11 is pure, not tweaked. Also I re-checked that Microsoft Onedrive is installed.

I don't use Microsoft Onedrive, but I don't delete it either.

If removing it will solves this problem, I will consider removing it.

More detailed answer is always welcome.

Welcome to ElevenForum.

If desired you can uninstall OneDrive. But you should do these, first...

Unlink Account and PC from OneDrive in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will you how to remove an account and unlink your PC from OneDrive for your account 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...

www.elevenforum.com

Enable or Disable OneDrive in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable the OneDrive feature for all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11. OneDrive is built-in to Windows 11 by default. With OneDrive, you can sync files and folders between your computer and the cloud, so you can get to your files from anywhere -...

www.elevenforum.com

Then use REVO Uninstaller (free) to uninstall OneDrive (on the Windows Apps tab)... AND make sure to use REVO's "scan for leftovers", and delete those items as well.

Revo Uninstaller Free

Download Revo Uninstaller Free helps you to uninstall software and remove unwanted programs easily. Remove all uninstall leftovers and traces

www.revouninstaller.com

And you do have some control over the shortcut arrow.
See post #1 and post #16, here...
This will give you no shortcut arrow, or a smaller (Classic), shortcut arrow.

Remove Shortcut Arrow Icon in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to remove the shortcut arrow overlay on all shortcut icons for all users in Windows 11. 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...

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pseymour · Feb 10, 2024

The curved green arrow indicates an item is shared. The blue arrow pointing "north east" is for shortcuts. The green checkmark circle and the briefcase are from OneDrive.

It sure seems like something has gone wonky and is messing with your icon overlays (that's what those are called).

hdmi · Feb 10, 2024

Carefully read through all of Greg Carmack's replies in this old thread:
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...g/148fb2cc-c155-41e9-b975-6747a040df4c?page=2
According to him, it's been going wonky over the past 8 years at least. The basic principle by which such a phenomenon occurs is commonly referred to as hitting the jackpot.

Flashorn · Feb 10, 2024

I've been using this app since Vista, yes it's old but, it still works on 11

ShortcutArrow Changer - Download

Download ShortcutArrow Changer 1.3 - Quickly stylize your desktop shortcuts by removing the small arrow symbol on their icons or by replacing it with a custom picture

www.softpedia.com

lugran · Feb 10, 2024

Thank you posters, leaving OneDrive untouched, I tried the way @Ghot wrote :

Followed post #16 of

Remove Shortcut Arrow Icon in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to remove the shortcut arrow overlay on all shortcut icons for all users in Windows 11. 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...

www.elevenforum.com

There is a .zip file containing .ico and .reg.

What I've done :
1) copied classic.ico into In the C:\windows, and
2) applied Use_classic shortcut_arrow.reg
3) restart explorer.exe.

and it works! These icon doesn't change (so far).

One small flaw is that the arrows are too small compared to the icon size.
I think it would be perfect if the arrow is bigger.
My resolution is 1920*1080 and desktop icon size is default.

It seems, at least there is definite solution.

Havn't tried @Flashorn's method, anyway thank you.

Ghot · Feb 10, 2024

lugran said:
and it works!

Me.... I like 'em small like that. I know they're arrows.
I don't need them to be 2 foot tall.

But that's just me.

There's probably a bigger arrow.ico file out there somewhere.

Here ya go... arrow .ico files galore...

Shortcut arrow Icons, Logos, Symbols – Free Download PNG, SVG

Free Shortcut arrow icons, logos, symbols in 50+ UI design styles. Download Static and animated Shortcut arrow vector icons and logos for free in PNG, SVG, GIF

icons8.com

Shortcut arrows Icons - Download 2960 Free Shortcut arrows icons here

Shortcut arrows Icons - Download 2960 Free Shortcut arrows icons @ IconArchive. Search more than 800,000 icons for Web & Desktop here.

www.iconarchive.com

And here's an online converter from .png to .ico

PNG to ICO | CloudConvert

>PNG to ICO Converter - CloudConvert is a free & fast online file conversion service.

cloudconvert.com

The Classic arrow is 24 x 24. So make a 48 x 48 arrow and save it as .png
The use the online converter to make it an .ico file. Name it whatever you like.

Maybe... MyArrow.ico

Then put it in the Windows folder, and in the registry just change the name to whatever you named your arrow file...

pseymour · Feb 11, 2024

Here's the Windows blue arrow icon from Shell32.dll, if that helps.

Ghot · Feb 11, 2024

pseymour said:
Here's the Windows blue arrow icon from Shell32.dll, if that helps.

Yeah, but that's ugly.

pseymour · Feb 11, 2024

Ghot said:
Yeah, but that's ugly.

Says you. Some people might want the original. Take it or leave it; it affects me not.

Ghot · Feb 11, 2024

pseymour said:
Says you. Some people might want the original. Take it or leave it; it affects me not.

Yeah. It was me that said that.

Stigg · Feb 11, 2024

Shortcut arrows have been disappearing on my desktop icons on all my computers ever since I can remember. A refresh of the desktop brings them back until they disappear next time.

Edit: I see the OP is a FastStone fan. Great choice in software.

Ghot · Feb 11, 2024

Stigg said:
Shortcut arrows have been disappearing on my desktop icons on all my computers ever since I can remember. A refresh of the desktop brings them back until they disappear next time.

I put the "Classic" shortcut arrow on my desktop shortcuts with the tutorial.
They haven't budged.
But I don't use OneDrive or Sharing

Ghot · Feb 11, 2024

@lugran

Ok... it took me a while but here's a new ZIP with the following....

From the README in the ZIP...

1. Drop the blank.ico and classic.ico and classic2.ico files in the C:\Windows folder.
2. Use the appropriate registry patch for whatever icon type you want to use.
3. Either restart the explorer process, sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.

blank = no shortcut arrow
classic = small shortcut arrow
classic2 = large shortcut arrow

default = default Win 11 arrow