Shortcut Arrow

How to Remove or Change the Shortcut Arrow and Name in Vista​

   Information

This will show you how to remove, restore, or change the Shortcut Arrow on shortcuts. You will also see how to enable or disable the Shortcut name extension when new shortcuts are created.

   Note

If you accidentally used a XP method of doing this by removing or renaming the IsShortCut registry, then the shortcuts in Favorite Links, Media Center, and in the Games Explorer disappear or will not work anymore. Vista uses this value to track links, lots of programs and features that use links will not work correctly like the ones above. You can use this program below to fix them by restoring the shortcut arrow, then you can make any changes you like afterwards.

   Warning

Removing the shortcut arrow from shortcut icons can make it hard to tell which files are shortcuts or not. This can lead to you accidentally deleting the actual file instead of just a shortcut to it.

OPTION ONE

Using a Program

1. If you have not already, click on the Download button below to download the Vista Shortcut Overlay Remover (Vista Shortcut Overlay Manager) program below for the 32-bit or 64-bit Vista you have installed. Save the .zip file to your desktop, extract (drag and drop) the .msi file to your desktop, and install it.​

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32-bit (x86) Vista​

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64-bit (x64) Vista​

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2. Double click on the program's shortcut to run the program.​

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3. To Change or Remove the Arrow for All Shortcuts ​

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A) Select (dot) the arrow option you want for the shortcut arrow. (See screenshot below)​

NOTE: If you selected Custom Arrow, then click on Select to navigate to and choose a ICO (icon) file you have downloaded to use.​

4. To Remove the "Shortcut" Name from All Shortcuts ​

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A) Check the box to also remove the - Shortcut name extension for new shortcuts that are created.​

5. Click on Apply.​

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6. Click on Yes to log off to apply the changes. (See screenshot below)​

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7. Log back on and your done.​

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OPTION TWO

To Manually do this Through the Registry

NOTE: This option will allow you to only remove or restore the shortcut arrow on all shortcuts old and new.

1. Click on the Download button below to download the file below.​

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Remove_Restore_Shortcut_Arrow.zip​

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2. To Remove the Shortcut Arrow​

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A) Open the ZIP file (step 1), and extract the Blank.ico file, and either the 32-bit or 64-bit Remove_Shortcut_Arrow.reg file for your Vista version to the desktop.​

NOTE: To see if your Vista is a 32-bit or 64-bit version, open the Start Menu and right click on Computer and click on Properties. Under System Type, you will see what version of Vista you have.​

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B) Right click on the Blank.ico file and click on Properties.​

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C) Under the General tab, click on the Unblock button if there. (See screenshot below)​

NOTE: If the Unblock button is not there, then the file is already unblocked. Continue on to step D below.​

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D) Copy and Paste the Blank.ico into the C:\Windows folder, then click on Continue and Continue to approve the copy.​

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E) Right click on the 32-bit or 64-bit Remove_Shortcut_Arrow.reg file for your Vista version and click on Merge, then click on Continue, Yes, and OK to approve the merge.​

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F) Go to step 4.​

3. To Restore the Shortcut Arrow​

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A) Open the ZIP file (step 1), and extract the Restore_Shortcut_Arrow.reg file to the desktop.​

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B) Right click on the Restore_Shortcut_Arrow.reg file and click on Merge, then click on Continue, Yes, and OK to approve the merge.​

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C) In the C:\Windows folder, right click on the Blank.ico file and click on Delete, Continue, and Continue.​

NOTE: This is for when you have used step 2 above to remove the shortcut arrow previously.​

4. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply.​

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5. You can now delete the downloaded files on your desktop if you like.​

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That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Remove the Shortcut Prefix On the Shortcut Name in Vista
• How to Change a Default Open Window Size for a Shortcut in Vista
• How to Create a Keyboard Shortcut for a Program in Vista
• How to Change the Target Path Location of a Shortcut in Vista
• How to Change a Shortcut Folder or File Icon in Vista
• How to Hide or Show Desktop Icon Text in Vista
• How to Hide or Show File Names in Vista
• How to Hide a Folder or Shortcut Icon in Vista
• How to Fix Game Shortcut Links in Vista Games Explorer

 

[Wighty44]

Fast service - Thank you! :D

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Wighty.

 

[drew29]

Hello,

great Forums :-)

i'm looking for the 64bit version, but i can't find it on all pages where I can download it
it is the 32bit version Softpedia too.

The developer Site does still work :-(

can you sent me the 64bit version?


kind regards
drew29

sorry for my bad english it will be better i hope ;-)

 

[Brink]

Hello Drew, and welcome to Vista Forums.

The version at that link will work in both the 32-bit and 64-bit Vista.

Shawn

 

[drew29]

Hello Shawn,

thank you for the fast answer :-) I become the same error message:

I have a 64-bit machine. When I installed the x64 version of Vista Shortcut Manager and tried to apply the change, I received the following unhandled exception message:

See the end of this message for details on invoking 
just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.
 
************** Exception Text **************
System.ComponentModel.Win32Exception: The system cannot find the file specified
at System.Diagnostics.Process.StartWithCreateProcess(ProcessStartInfo startInfo)
at VistaArrowGone.Form1.btApply_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.OnClick(EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnMouseUp(MouseEventArgs mevent)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmMouseUp(Message& m, MouseButtons button, Int32 clicks)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.ButtonBase.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Button.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)
 
 
************** Loaded Assemblies **************
mscorlib
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.1434 (REDBITS.050727-1400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.NET/Framework64/v2.0.50727/mscorlib.dll
----------------------------------------
FxVisor
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.0.0
CodeBase: file:///C:/Program%20Files/Frameworkx/FxVisor/FxVisor.exe
----------------------------------------
System.Windows.Forms
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.1434 (REDBITS.050727-1400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Windows.Forms/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.dll
----------------------------------------
System
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.1434 (REDBITS.050727-1400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Drawing
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.1434 (REDBITS.050727-1400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Drawing/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Drawing.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Configuration
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.1434 (REDBITS.050727-1400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Configuration/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Configuration.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Xml
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.1434 (REDBITS.050727-1400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Xml/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Xml.dll
----------------------------------------
 
************** JIT Debugging **************
To enable just-in-time (JIT) debugging, the .config file for this
application or computer (machine.config) must have the
jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section.
The application must also be compiled with debugging
enabled.
 
For example:
 
<configuration>
<system.windows.forms jitDebugging="true" />
</configuration>
 
When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception
will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the computer
rather than be handled by this dialog box.

can you help me again?

kind regards
drew

 

[Brink]

Drew,

Right click on the installer file and click on "Run as administrator" to see if that may allow it to install for you.

 

[drew29]

it doesn't help its the same error. Im logged in as administrator too. :-(

kind regards
drew

 

[Brink]

Drew,

I'm afraid that I do not know why it will not install for you since I had it running in my 64-bit Vista.

 

[drew29]

Hello Shawn,

that is bummer, the site from the developer doesn't work since two days or longer

I listen it gives two versions for 32bit and 64bit is this right?

kind regards
drew

 

[Brink]

Yeah, it is no longer available at Frameworkx. It is only available from places like Softpedia now where that one download works on both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Vista. Strange, I have verified this, but not sure why it will not install for you.

 

[drew29]

Hello shawn,

i have found this

Most Tweak programs remove the arrows by renaming or removing the IsShortCut String Values from the registry.
Windows uses this value to track links, if you remove or rename the IsShortCut value lots of programs and features that use links won't work correctly -> in Vista the shortcuts in Favorite Links, Media Center and in the Games Explorer disappear or won't work anymore.

on this site: [Tipps & Kniffe] Kleine Pfeile bei Desktop-Verknüpfungen entfernen - Seite 2 - Supernature-Forum

now i Have used this solution and it works great

kind regards
drew

 

[Brink]

Thank you Drew.

 

[ICER]

I am also receiving this error:

[COLOR=red]"See the end of this message for details on invoking [/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.[/COLOR]
 
[COLOR=red]************** Exception Text **************[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]System.ComponentModel.Win32Exception: The system cannot find the file specified[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]at System.Diagnostics.Process.StartWithCreateProcess(ProcessStartInfo startInfo)[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]at System.Diagnostics.Process.Start()[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]at VistaArrowGone.Form1.btApply_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e)[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]at System.Windows.Forms.Control.OnClick(EventArgs e)[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]at System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnClick(EventArgs e)[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]at System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnMouseUp(MouseEventArgs mevent)[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmMouseUp(Message& m, MouseButtons button, Int32 clicks)[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]at System.Windows.Forms.ButtonBase.WndProc(Message& m)[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]at System.Windows.Forms.Button.WndProc(Message& m)[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)[/COLOR]
 
 
[COLOR=red]************** Loaded Assemblies **************[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]mscorlib[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.1434 (REDBITS.050727-1400)[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.NET/Framework/v2.0.50727/mscorlib.dll[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]----------------------------------------[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]FxVisor[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]Win32 Version: 2.0.0.0[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]CodeBase: file:///C:/Program%20Files%20(x86)/Frameworkx/Vista%20Shortcut%20Manager/FxVisor.exe[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]----------------------------------------[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]System.Windows.Forms[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.1434 (REDBITS.050727-1400)[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Windows.Forms/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.dll[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]----------------------------------------[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]System[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.1434 (REDBITS.050727-1400)[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.dll[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]----------------------------------------[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]System.Drawing[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.1434 (REDBITS.050727-1400)[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Drawing/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Drawing.dll[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]----------------------------------------[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]System.Configuration[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.1434 (REDBITS.050727-1400)[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Configuration/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Configuration.dll[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]----------------------------------------[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]System.Xml[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.1434 (REDBITS.050727-1400)[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Xml/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Xml.dll[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]----------------------------------------[/COLOR]
 
[COLOR=red]************** JIT Debugging **************[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]To enable just-in-time (JIT) debugging, the .config file for this[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]application or computer (machine.config) must have the[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]The application must also be compiled with debugging[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]enabled.[/COLOR]
 
[COLOR=red]For example:[/COLOR]
 
[COLOR=red]<configuration>[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]<system.windows.forms jitDebugging="true" />[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]</configuration>[/COLOR]
 
[COLOR=red]When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the computer[/COLOR]
[COLOR=red]rather than be handled by this dialog box."[/COLOR]

However, unlike some posters... when I hit continue and ignore the message, it still does not remove the arrows on the shortcut. I have a brand new installation of Vista Business x64... not even a day old. I don't see the reason to restore.
I have no idea why this is not working.

 

[Brink]

Hello ICER, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Try the download from this link instead to see if it may work instead.

Vista Shortcut Overlay Remover - Free software downloads and reviews - CNET Download.com

 

[ICER]

Yeah I tried both. No worries. I made a registry key to solve the issues. Didn't delete anything.
Also found a blank.ico to use.

 

[Brink]

Ok ICER. I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted out.

 

[Brink]

Updated to include METHOD TWO now on the first post to remove or restore the shortcut arrow through the registry with a download.

 

[nsbjsn]

Shawn, Flavious, Method 2 worked perfect and was really easy. Thanks alot for the help.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Nsbjsn.

 

[thanoscsd]

Does anyone install FxVisor in Vista with SP1 ? Maybe this error happens due to SP1 ?!