How to Remove the Shortcut Arrow Icon in Windows 10 & 11

By Timothy Tibbetts

on 09/04/2022

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Anytime you create a shortcut, it will automatically have an arrow icon overlay. Removing the shortcut icon is something people like to have a cleaner Desktop, and it's easy to do.

Before:

After:

Video tutorial:

Download Remove the Shortcut Arrow Icon in Windows 10 & 11.

Extract the four files including Shortcut Arrow Icon - Remove.reg, Shortcut Arrow Icon - Restore.reg, and blank.ico.

Copy or move blank.ico to your C:\Windows folder.

Click Continue when prompted.

Note: You can place the blank.ico anywhere you want, but you have to open the registry file and change C:\\Windows\\blank.ico to wherever you place it.

Double-click on Shortcut Arrow Icon - Remove.reg.

Click Yes when prompted by User Account Control.
Click Yes when prompted by Registry Editor.
Click OK when prompted by the Registry Editor.

Restart Explorer.

If you change your mind, delete blank.ico from the C:\Windows folder.

Double-click on Shortcut Arrow Icon - Restore.reg.

Click Yes when prompted by User Account Control.
Click Yes when prompted by Registry Editor.
Click OK when prompted by the Registry Editor.

Restart Explorer.

This tweak is included as part of MajorGeeks Windows Tweaks, and donations to the project and MajorGeeks are accepted here.

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How to Create a Show Desktop Shortcut in Windows 10 & 11

How to Turn the Windows 10 Desktop Background Image On or Off

How to Show Your Windows 10 & 11 Version and Build Number on the Desktop

How to Create Safe Mode Desktop Shortcuts