Arrows on shortcut icons

[Guest]

I used to have a code for win 98 which removed all the arrows on desktop
shortcut icons. Lost it now but does anybody know of a way to remove the
arrow from a desktop shortcut icon in WIN XP Pro??

 

[irsmartt]

Download the program called Tweak UI, then search the tabs to find the
place where the tabs are. Select the correct option, press Enter.

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

TweakUI is available from

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp (SP1 and later systems)

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/downloads/powertoys.asp (Pre SP1 systems)

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I used to have a code for win 98 which removed all the arrows on
desktop shortcut icons. Lost it now but does anybody know of a way to
remove the arrow from a desktop shortcut icon in WIN XP Pro??

You can get rid of the arrows with a registry edit, or more easily and more
safely by using the free TweakUI, downloadable as part of Microsoft
PowerToys at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp
(if you have SP1 or SP2 installed) or
http://download.microsoft.com/download/whistler/Install/2/WXP/EN-US/TweakUiPowertoySetup.exe
(if you don't have SP1 or SP2).

However, my recommendation is that you do *not* do this. The arrows serve an
important function--providing quick visual identification of a shortcut. If
you remove the arrows, you run the substantial risk that sooner or later you
will delete something you wanted to keep, thinking that you were just
deleting a shortcut to it. I would either leave the arrows as they are, or
alternatively use the TweakUI option of light arrows, which are somewhat
less visible that the regular ones.

 

[John Barnett MVP]

TweakUI is the easiest way of removing the arrows from desktop icon
shortcuts.

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail is supplied "as is". No warranty of any kind,
either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail. The Author shall not be liable for any
direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use
of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this mail..

 

[TOM]

beyerdynamic wrote:





You can get rid of the arrows with a registry edit, or more easily and more
safely by using the free TweakUI, downloadable as part of Microsoft
PowerToys at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp
(if you have SP1 or SP2 installed) or
http://download.microsoft.com/download/whistler/Install/2/WXP/EN-US/TweakUiPowertoySetup.exe
(if you don't have SP1 or SP2).

However, my recommendation is that you do *not* do this. The arrows serve an
important function--providing quick visual identification of a shortcut. If
you remove the arrows, you run the substantial risk that sooner or later you
will delete something you wanted to keep, thinking that you were just
deleting a shortcut to it. I would either leave the arrows as they are, or
alternatively use the TweakUI option of light arrows, which are somewhat
less visible that the regular ones.

Good point. I have removed the arrows since TweakUI became available
(Win95 I think). In its early days, I seem to remember that removing the
arrows could make something unstable (memories fade).

As to deleting something important, instead of blindely clicking OK when
you delete something, try reading the warning. If it's a shortcut,
Windows warns you that: "Deleting the shortcut to (application) only
removes the icon. It does not uninstall the program."

It also reminds you that: "If you want to uninstall the program,
use Add or Remove Programs in the Control Panel."

Of course, anyone who simply clicks Delete, then clicks OK, because "I
know what I'm doing," and delets the application itself, probably
deserves what he/she gets... :>))

"You mean I'm supposed to read those warnings on the screen?"

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Good point. I have removed the arrows since TweakUI became available
(Win95 I think). In its early days, I seem to remember that removing
the arrows could make something unstable (memories fade).

As to deleting something important, instead of blindely clicking OK
when you delete something, try reading the warning.

No you have it backward. The messages you quote below are those you get when
you delete a shortcut. The issue that I pointed out is that when you delete
something that's not a shortcut, you don't get those warnings, just "are you
sure..."

If it's a
shortcut, Windows warns you that: "Deleting the shortcut to
(application) only removes the icon. It does not uninstall the
program."
It also reminds you that: "If you want to uninstall the program,
use Add or Remove Programs in the Control Panel."

Of course, anyone who simply clicks Delete, then clicks OK, because "I
know what I'm doing," and delets the application itself, probably
deserves what he/she gets... :>))

It isn't necessarily an application; it can be anything on the desktop: an
application, a data file, a downloaded file, a picture, etc.--whatever you
may have put there. And you can also put shortcuts elsewhere than on the
desktop.

I don't agree that everyone who mistakenly clicks OK at the wrong time,
deserves whatever he gets. We *all* make mistakes, particularly if we happen
to be in hurry, tired, angry about something, slightly inebriated, etc.
Anything we can do to help protect ourselves from making mistakes is
prudent, and I think keeping shortcut arrows is one of them.

Of course we can avoid deleting the wrong thing if we use sufficient care.
The point is that none of us *always* uses sufficient care, and, being
human, we make mistakes. That's why things like the recycle bin, system
restore, etc are used--to protect us when we make mistakes. Not getting rid
of shortcut arrows is simply another way to protect ourselves.

 

[TOM]

TOM wrote:





No you have it backward. The messages you quote below are those you get when
you delete a shortcut. The issue that I pointed out is that when you delete
something that's not a shortcut, you don't get those warnings, just "are you
sure..."






It isn't necessarily an application; it can be anything on the desktop: an
application, a data file, a downloaded file, a picture, etc.--whatever you
may have put there. And you can also put shortcuts elsewhere than on the
desktop.

I don't agree that everyone who mistakenly clicks OK at the wrong time,
deserves whatever he gets. We *all* make mistakes, particularly if we happen
to be in hurry, tired, angry about something, slightly inebriated, etc.
Anything we can do to help protect ourselves from making mistakes is
prudent, and I think keeping shortcut arrows is one of them.

Of course we can avoid deleting the wrong thing if we use sufficient care.
The point is that none of us *always* uses sufficient care, and, being
human, we make mistakes. That's why things like the recycle bin, system
restore, etc are used--to protect us when we make mistakes. Not getting rid
of shortcut arrows is simply another way to protect ourselves.

I knew the attribution I made was for a shortcut, in fact when I typed
the text, I typed "Shortcut"... :>))

Let me say that I understand your point about the arrows and leave it at
that...

 

[D. Spencer Hines]

I reckon so.

The Cognoscenti:

Keep The Arrows On The Shortcut Icons.

DSH

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

I knew the attribution I made was for a shortcut, in fact when I typed
the text, I typed "Shortcut"... :>))

Let me say that I understand your point about the arrows and leave it
at that...

OK.

 

[TOM]

I reckon so.

The Cognoscenti:

Keep The Arrows On The Shortcut Icons.

DSH

I prefer removing the arrows, but to each his own. Just think what a
boring world this would be if we all thought and acted alike... :>))

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I prefer removing the arrows, but to each his own. Just think what a
boring world this would be if we all thought and acted alike... :>))

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I prefer removing the arrows, but to each his own. Just think what a
boring world this would be if we all thought and acted alike... :>))

I have no problem with anyone removing the arrows. My point is only that
anyone who does so should understand the issues that I raised. If you are
willing to do so anyway, that's fine. I trust that you will exercise
sufficient care so that it won't cause you a problem.

 

[D. Spencer Hines]

BUT if someone ELSE uses his computer and goofs -- OR he is hitting the
sauce one night and "cleaning up his computer" ---- it's his own damned
fault if he blows it and deletes something he wishes he had not.

DSH

 

[TOM]

TOM wrote:





I have no problem with anyone removing the arrows. My point is only that
anyone who does so should understand the issues that I raised. If you are
willing to do so anyway, that's fine. I trust that you will exercise
sufficient care so that it won't cause you a problem.

Roger that...

 

[TOM]

BUT if someone ELSE uses his computer and goofs -- OR he is hitting the
sauce one night and "cleaning up his computer" ---- it's his own damned
fault if he blows it and deletes something he wishes he had not.

DSH

The exception that proves the rule. I live alone and am the only one who
uses my computer. At work, I'm the only one who uses that computer, so
there are no arrows there either... :>))