Disable or enable the shortcut arrow for Windows icons

The following article describes how to add or remove the shortcut arrow from the left hand corner of a Windows icon - not just desktop icons and shortcuts. This tweak applies to shortcuts throughout the whole of the Windows operating system and it works with Windows XP, Vista and 7, as well as Server 2003 and 2008.

Enable or add the shortcut arrow to Windows icons

This tweak will put the shortcut arrow back in the left hand corner of all Windows icons.

Shortcut Arrow Disabled or Removed for Icon Shortcut Arrow Enabled or Added for Icon
  1. Open regedit (start > Run > regedit)
  2. Navigate to and highlight "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile"
  3. Right click on the right hand pane and select "New" > "String Value"
  4. Name the new value "IsShortcut" (without the quotes)

Or you can save this reg file and then import it (open it and confirm when prompted).

Disable or remove the shortcut arrow from Windows icons

This tweak will remove the shortcut arrow from the left hand corner of all Windows icons.

Shortcut Arrow Enabled or Added for Icon Shortcut Arrow Disabled or Removed for Icon
  1. Open regedit (start > Run > regedit)
  2. Navigate to and highlight "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile"
  3. Delete the "IsShortcut" value in the right hand pane

Or you can save this reg file and then import it by opening it and confirming when prompted.

Points to note

If you click either of the links to the reg files and it opens in a new window/tab in your browser then go back a page and try right clicking on the link and "Save Link As..." or "Save Target As..." (depending on your Web browser).

You will need to log off and back on again (or restart) for the new settings to take effect.

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