Favourite Links - help

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

Hey there guys. I need some help with the Favourite Links on Explorer.

If it works they way I think, that is, shortcuts to folders you use
constantly, then it is not working properly over here.

I drag folders to the Fav Links pane the way Vista's Help instructed me. It
even says I'm allowed to sort these links in any way I want. But it doesn't
matter what I do, my links don't show there. I have added some folders to it
(C:\Users\[username]\Links) but they don't show up. The screenshot below
shows you my links folder and the Favourite Links pane.

http://rash.apanela.com/images/favlinks.jpg

That is a most wanted feature for me. Could someone please help? Thank you
very much. ;)

Vista Ultimate 32-bit retail (box)
 
Your Favorite Links have disappeared because you used either a registry
tweak or a 3rd party tweak to get rid of your shortcut arrow overlays. If
you deleted the regkey 'IsShortcut', it also kills off other types of
shortcuts, such as the one to Favorite Links and in Game Explorer.
 
You are right Jane. I did lost my Game explorer links too.

So, at this point, there is not a way to remove the shortcut overlay like
Power Toys did on XP?

I prefer my Favourite Links, so as soon as I get home I'll try putting my
shortcuts back.

Thank you

Andre

Jane C said:
Your Favorite Links have disappeared because you used either a registry
tweak or a 3rd party tweak to get rid of your shortcut arrow overlays. If
you deleted the regkey 'IsShortcut', it also kills off other types of
shortcuts, such as the one to Favorite Links and in Game Explorer.

--
Jane, not plain ;) 64 bit enabled :-)
Batteries not included. Braincell on vacation ;-)
Andre said:
Hey there guys. I need some help with the Favourite Links on Explorer.

If it works they way I think, that is, shortcuts to folders you use
constantly, then it is not working properly over here.

I drag folders to the Fav Links pane the way Vista's Help instructed me.
It
even says I'm allowed to sort these links in any way I want. But it
doesn't
matter what I do, my links don't show there. I have added some folders to
it
(C:\Users\[username]\Links) but they don't show up. The screenshot below
shows you my links folder and the Favourite Links pane.

http://rash.apanela.com/images/favlinks.jpg

That is a most wanted feature for me. Could someone please help? Thank you
very much. ;)

Vista Ultimate 32-bit retail (box)
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Andre,

If you want to hide the shortcut arrow, you may use "Method 1" here:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/arrow.htm
(Works fine in Windows Vista as well)

-or-

Vista Shortcut Overlay Remover:
http://www.windowsmarketplace.com/details.aspx?view=info&itemid=3228154

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


You are right Jane. I did lost my Game explorer links too.

So, at this point, there is not a way to remove the shortcut overlay like
Power Toys did on XP?

I prefer my Favourite Links, so as soon as I get home I'll try putting my
shortcuts back.

Thank you

Andre

Jane C said:
Your Favorite Links have disappeared because you used either a registry
tweak or a 3rd party tweak to get rid of your shortcut arrow overlays. If
you deleted the regkey 'IsShortcut', it also kills off other types of
shortcuts, such as the one to Favorite Links and in Game Explorer.

--
Jane, not plain ;) 64 bit enabled :-)
Batteries not included. Braincell on vacation ;-)
Andre said:
Hey there guys. I need some help with the Favourite Links on Explorer.

If it works they way I think, that is, shortcuts to folders you use
constantly, then it is not working properly over here.

I drag folders to the Fav Links pane the way Vista's Help instructed me.
It
even says I'm allowed to sort these links in any way I want. But it
doesn't
matter what I do, my links don't show there. I have added some folders to
it
(C:\Users\[username]\Links) but they don't show up. The screenshot below
shows you my links folder and the Favourite Links pane.

http://rash.apanela.com/images/favlinks.jpg

That is a most wanted feature for me. Could someone please help? Thank you
very much. ;)

Vista Ultimate 32-bit retail (box)
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Andre,

Ignore the 2nd link in my earlier post. The "Vista Shortcut Overlay Remover" again removes the IsShortcut registry value. (Just now tested it)

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Andre,

If you want to hide the shortcut arrow, you may use "Method 1" here:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/arrow.htm
(Works fine in Windows Vista as well)

-or-

Vista Shortcut Overlay Remover:
http://www.windowsmarketplace.com/details.aspx?view=info&itemid=3228154
 
Thank you very much, Ramesh. Actually, there is a new version of FxVisor that
removes the shortcut overlay without breaking the links and shortcuts.
Version 1.3.

http://www.frameworkx.com/frameworkx/contentblogdetail.aspx?blog=56&id=636

They say several people tested and it is working. I ran it here myself and
it works perfectly. But I prefer your registry solution. I have even created
a reg file for it. I think this is a cleaner solution (and I'm an advanced
user, so I know how to go back to old settings).

Once again, thank both you and Jane very much for your help.

Andre

Ramesh said:
Andre,

If you want to hide the shortcut arrow, you may use "Method 1" here:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/arrow.htm
(Works fine in Windows Vista as well)

-or-

Vista Shortcut Overlay Remover:
http://www.windowsmarketplace.com/details.aspx?view=info&itemid=3228154

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


You are right Jane. I did lost my Game explorer links too.

So, at this point, there is not a way to remove the shortcut overlay like
Power Toys did on XP?

I prefer my Favourite Links, so as soon as I get home I'll try putting my
shortcuts back.

Thank you

Andre

Jane C said:
Your Favorite Links have disappeared because you used either a registry
tweak or a 3rd party tweak to get rid of your shortcut arrow overlays. If
you deleted the regkey 'IsShortcut', it also kills off other types of
shortcuts, such as the one to Favorite Links and in Game Explorer.

--
Jane, not plain ;) 64 bit enabled :-)
Batteries not included. Braincell on vacation ;-)
Andre said:
Hey there guys. I need some help with the Favourite Links on Explorer.

If it works they way I think, that is, shortcuts to folders you use
constantly, then it is not working properly over here.

I drag folders to the Fav Links pane the way Vista's Help instructed me.
It
even says I'm allowed to sort these links in any way I want. But it
doesn't
matter what I do, my links don't show there. I have added some folders to
it
(C:\Users\[username]\Links) but they don't show up. The screenshot below
shows you my links folder and the Favourite Links pane.

http://rash.apanela.com/images/favlinks.jpg

That is a most wanted feature for me. Could someone please help? Thank you
very much. ;)

Vista Ultimate 32-bit retail (box)
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
You're welcome Andre, and thanks for the update on Vista Shortcut Overlay Remover program.

See also:

How to remove or modify the Shortcut overlay in Windows Vista:
http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/153/1/

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Thank you very much, Ramesh. Actually, there is a new version of FxVisor that
removes the shortcut overlay without breaking the links and shortcuts.
Version 1.3.

http://www.frameworkx.com/frameworkx/contentblogdetail.aspx?blog=56&id=636

They say several people tested and it is working. I ran it here myself and
it works perfectly. But I prefer your registry solution. I have even created
a reg file for it. I think this is a cleaner solution (and I'm an advanced
user, so I know how to go back to old settings).

Once again, thank both you and Jane very much for your help.

Andre

Ramesh said:
Andre,

If you want to hide the shortcut arrow, you may use "Method 1" here:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/arrow.htm
(Works fine in Windows Vista as well)

-or-

Vista Shortcut Overlay Remover:
http://www.windowsmarketplace.com/details.aspx?view=info&itemid=3228154

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


You are right Jane. I did lost my Game explorer links too.

So, at this point, there is not a way to remove the shortcut overlay like
Power Toys did on XP?

I prefer my Favourite Links, so as soon as I get home I'll try putting my
shortcuts back.

Thank you

Andre

Jane C said:
Your Favorite Links have disappeared because you used either a registry
tweak or a 3rd party tweak to get rid of your shortcut arrow overlays. If
you deleted the regkey 'IsShortcut', it also kills off other types of
shortcuts, such as the one to Favorite Links and in Game Explorer.

--
Jane, not plain ;) 64 bit enabled :-)
Batteries not included. Braincell on vacation ;-)
Andre said:
Hey there guys. I need some help with the Favourite Links on Explorer.

If it works they way I think, that is, shortcuts to folders you use
constantly, then it is not working properly over here.

I drag folders to the Fav Links pane the way Vista's Help instructed me.
It
even says I'm allowed to sort these links in any way I want. But it
doesn't
matter what I do, my links don't show there. I have added some folders to
it
(C:\Users\[username]\Links) but they don't show up. The screenshot below
shows you my links folder and the Favourite Links pane.

http://rash.apanela.com/images/favlinks.jpg

That is a most wanted feature for me. Could someone please help? Thank you
very much. ;)

Vista Ultimate 32-bit retail (box)
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Andre,

Keith Miller reported this problem earlier, but I could not reproduce it in my system here. Might occur with some graphics cards it seems.

You may use the following icon instead:

C:\Windows\System32\imageres.dll,11

I'll duly make a note of this point.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Unfortunately, that registry modification didn't work. Initially it did, but
the second time I logged on my user it would draw a huge black box instead of
the overlay. Have a look.

http://rash.apanela.com/images/blackbox.jpg

So I'm back to FxVisor 1.3. :(

André
 
Ramesh, thank you for your help. I tested the new icon and I got this

http://img187.imageshack.us/my.php?image=shortoverlayrs1.jpg

a faint square where the overlay should be. It is a start, but not ideal. I
really didn't want to use FxVisor 1.3, but it does remove the overlay
properly.

I got used without the overlay... it is a little hard to go back. :(

Thank you very much for your invaluable help.

Andre

Ramesh said:
Andre,

Keith Miller reported this problem earlier, but I could not reproduce it in my system here. Might occur with some graphics cards it seems.

You may use the following icon instead:

C:\Windows\System32\imageres.dll,11

I'll duly make a note of this point.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Unfortunately, that registry modification didn't work. Initially it did, but
the second time I logged on my user it would draw a huge black box instead of
the overlay. Have a look.

http://rash.apanela.com/images/blackbox.jpg

So I'm back to FxVisor 1.3. :(

André

Ramesh said:
You're welcome Andre, and thanks for the update on Vista Shortcut Overlay Remover program.

See also:

How to remove or modify the Shortcut overlay in Windows Vista:
http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/153/1/

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Yes. That faint square appears for imageres.dll, Andre. Right now FxVisor (or the blank icon file it places) seems to be the best option. Or go for a professional icon creation tool/service that can create a blank and transparent image for Windows Vista, which can be used as shortcut overlay :)

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Ramesh, thank you for your help. I tested the new icon and I got this

http://img187.imageshack.us/my.php?image=shortoverlayrs1.jpg

a faint square where the overlay should be. It is a start, but not ideal. I
really didn't want to use FxVisor 1.3, but it does remove the overlay
properly.

I got used without the overlay... it is a little hard to go back. :(

Thank you very much for your invaluable help.

Andre

Ramesh said:
Andre,

Keith Miller reported this problem earlier, but I could not reproduce it in my system here. Might occur with some graphics cards it seems.

You may use the following icon instead:

C:\Windows\System32\imageres.dll,11

I'll duly make a note of this point.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Unfortunately, that registry modification didn't work. Initially it did, but
the second time I logged on my user it would draw a huge black box instead of
the overlay. Have a look.

http://rash.apanela.com/images/blackbox.jpg

So I'm back to FxVisor 1.3. :(

André

Ramesh said:
You're welcome Andre, and thanks for the update on Vista Shortcut Overlay Remover program.

See also:

How to remove or modify the Shortcut overlay in Windows Vista:
http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/153/1/

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Thank you once again, Ramesh. Do you think it is possible that this black
square problem is solved one day? Or that Microsoft releases its own solution
(such as PowerToys)? I really don't want to install FxVisor again. It might
be a wrong impression of mine, but I think it made my Vista terribly slow.

I'm dealing with the faint square for now. You said you don't have the
problem with the shell32 icon. So maybe on the next release of my video
card's driver (GeForce 6800 GT) I won't have it either.

Thank you once again,
Andre

Ramesh said:
Yes. That faint square appears for imageres.dll, Andre. Right now FxVisor (or the blank icon file it places) seems to be the best option. Or go for a professional icon creation tool/service that can create a blank and transparent image for Windows Vista, which can be used as shortcut overlay :)

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Ramesh, thank you for your help. I tested the new icon and I got this

http://img187.imageshack.us/my.php?image=shortoverlayrs1.jpg

a faint square where the overlay should be. It is a start, but not ideal. I
really didn't want to use FxVisor 1.3, but it does remove the overlay
properly.

I got used without the overlay... it is a little hard to go back. :(

Thank you very much for your invaluable help.

Andre

Ramesh said:
Andre,

Keith Miller reported this problem earlier, but I could not reproduce it in my system here. Might occur with some graphics cards it seems.

You may use the following icon instead:

C:\Windows\System32\imageres.dll,11

I'll duly make a note of this point.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Unfortunately, that registry modification didn't work. Initially it did, but
the second time I logged on my user it would draw a huge black box instead of
the overlay. Have a look.

http://rash.apanela.com/images/blackbox.jpg

So I'm back to FxVisor 1.3. :(

André

Ramesh said:
You're welcome Andre, and thanks for the update on Vista Shortcut Overlay Remover program.

See also:

How to remove or modify the Shortcut overlay in Windows Vista:
http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/153/1/

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
You said you don't have the problem with the shell32 icon.

Andre,

I see the black square just after logon, but after an automatic refresh, it's displayed correctly. So, that's (shell32.dll, 50) not an elegant solution for Vista. All FxVisor does is to place an transparent .ico file and uses it as the shortcut overlay.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Thank you once again, Ramesh. Do you think it is possible that this black
square problem is solved one day? Or that Microsoft releases its own solution
(such as PowerToys)? I really don't want to install FxVisor again. It might
be a wrong impression of mine, but I think it made my Vista terribly slow.

I'm dealing with the faint square for now. You said you don't have the
problem with the shell32 icon. So maybe on the next release of my video
card's driver (GeForce 6800 GT) I won't have it either.

Thank you once again,
Andre
 
I see. What's an automatic refresh?

Thank you for your time, Ramesh. I think I'm OK with this issue now. ;)

Andre

Ramesh said:
Andre,

I see the black square just after logon, but after an automatic refresh, it's displayed correctly. So, that's (shell32.dll, 50) not an elegant solution for Vista. All FxVisor does is to place an transparent .ico file and uses it as the shortcut overlay.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
Click to expand...
 
Andre,

Windows automatically refreshes the desktop icons when the shell is loaded. Don't know if that's the case in other systems also.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


I see. What's an automatic refresh?

Thank you for your time, Ramesh. I think I'm OK with this issue now. ;)

Andre

Ramesh said:
Andre,

I see the black square just after logon, but after an automatic refresh, it's displayed correctly. So, that's (shell32.dll, 50) not an elegant solution for Vista. All FxVisor does is to place an transparent ..ico file and uses it as the shortcut overlay.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
Click to expand...
 
Hi Andre,

Atlast some good news! I managed to create a semi-tranparent (that's what worked) using IcoFX. IcoFX support folks assisted me privately.

I've now updated my article:

How to remove or modify the Shortcut overlay in Windows Vista:
http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/153/1/

3 reboots over, and no more "black" blocks over the shortcuts :-)

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


I see. What's an automatic refresh?

Thank you for your time, Ramesh. I think I'm OK with this issue now. ;)

Andre

Ramesh said:
Andre,

I see the black square just after logon, but after an automatic refresh, it's displayed correctly. So, that's (shell32.dll, 50) not an elegant solution for Vista. All FxVisor does is to place an transparent ..ico file and uses it as the shortcut overlay.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
Click to expand...
 
Ramesh, thank you once more! It works now, perfectly. Thank you so much.
Microsoft should be glad to have such attentive and helpful employee.

Andre
 
You're welcome Andre :)

Pls note that MVPs are not employees of Microsoft. See:

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional - FAQ
http://www.microsoft.com/india/mvp/faq.aspx

The Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award is an annual award that is given to outstanding members of Microsoft's peer-to-peer communities, and is based on the past year's contributions those members make in those communities online and offline.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Ramesh, thank you once more! It works now, perfectly. Thank you so much.
Microsoft should be glad to have such attentive and helpful employee.

Andre

Ramesh said:
Hi Andre,

Atlast some good news! I managed to create a semi-tranparent (that's what worked) using IcoFX. IcoFX support folks assisted me privately.

I've now updated my article:

How to remove or modify the Shortcut overlay in Windows Vista:
http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/153/1/

3 reboots over, and no more "black" blocks over the shortcuts :-)

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
Click to expand...
 
Back
Top