Are you tired of seeing those small arrows on your desktop shortcut icons in Windows 10 or Windows 11? These arrows indicate that the icons are shortcuts, but they can clutter the clean look of your desktop. Fortunately, there’s a simple and safe method to remove these arrows using the Windows Registry Editor. In this guide, you’ll learn how to do it step-by-step and how to reverse the change if needed.

⚠️ Disclaimer:

Editing the Windows Registry can affect system behavior. Please follow the steps carefully. It’s recommended to back up your registry before making any changes.

🛠️ Steps to Remove Shortcut Arrows from Desktop Icons

Step 1: Open the Registry Editor

1. Press Windows + S to open the search bar.
2. Type “Registry Editor” and click Open.
3. If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes.

Step 2: Navigate to the Required Path

• Copy and paste the following path into the Registry Editor address bar and press Enter:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

Step 3: Create a New Registry Key

1. Right-click on the Explorer key.
2. Select New > Key.
3. Name the new key:

Shell Icons

Step 4: Add a New String Value

1. Select the newly created Shell Icons key.
2. On the right side, right-click and select New > String Value.
3. Name it:

29

Step 5: Set the String Value Data

1. Double-click on the newly created string value named 29.
2. In the Value data field, paste the following text:

%windir%\System32\shell32.dll,-50

3. Click OK to save.

Step 6: Restart Windows Explorer

1. Right-click on the Taskbar and select Task Manager.
2. Scroll down to find Windows Explorer.
3. Right-click on it and choose Restart.

After restarting Explorer, the shortcut arrows will disappear from all desktop icons!

🔄 How to Revert the Change (Restore Shortcut Arrows)

If you want the shortcut arrows back:

1. Open the Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Icons

3. Right-click the Shell Icons key and select Delete.
4. Open Task Manager, find Windows Explorer, right-click and choose Restart.

Your desktop icons will now return to their default shortcut appearance.

✅ Summary

This quick registry tweak allows you to customize your Windows desktop and give it a cleaner look by removing the shortcut arrows. Whether you’re a minimalist or just want a tidy appearance, this trick works smoothly in both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

🔗 Tags:

windows customization, remove shortcut arrows, windows 10 tips, windows 11 tweaks, registry editor, desktop customization, shortcut icon fix

#Hashtags:

#Windows10 #Windows11 #DesktopTips #RegistryEditor #WindowsCustomization #ShortcutIcons #TechGuide #2025Tips

Sneha Rao

Sneha is a hardware reviewer and technology journalist. She has reviewed laptops and desktops for over 6 years, focusing on performance, design, and user experience. Previously working with a consumer tech magazine, she now brings her expertise to in-depth product reviews and comparisons.

Website · More from this author