Tips and Tricks for Using Windows Shortcut Arrow Editor to Customize the Shortcut Arrow
How to Customize the Shortcut Arrow in Windows with Windows Shortcut Arrow Editor
Windows is a versatile operating system that allows you to customize many aspects of its appearance and functionality. One of the things you can tweak is the shortcut arrow, which is a small overlay icon that indicates that a file or folder is a shortcut. In this article, we will show you how to use a free tool called Windows Shortcut Arrow Editor to change the shortcut arrow in Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista. You will learn how to remove the shortcut arrow, set it to a classic or custom icon, and restore it to its default state. You will also discover some tips and tricks for using Windows Shortcut Arrow Editor effectively.
(Windows Shortcut Arrow Editor )
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What is the shortcut arrow and why you might want to change it
A shortcut is a link that points to another file or folder on your computer or network. Shortcuts are useful for accessing frequently used items without having to navigate through multiple folders or drives. You can create shortcuts on your desktop, in your Start menu, or in any other location on your PC.
The shortcut arrow is a small icon that appears on the lower-left corner of a shortcut file or folder. It helps you distinguish shortcuts from regular files or folders. However, some users may find the shortcut arrow annoying, distracting, or ugly. They may prefer to have a cleaner look for their desktop or other folders. Alternatively, they may want to use a different icon for the shortcut arrow that matches their personal style or theme.
The default shortcut arrow in Windows
The default shortcut arrow in Windows varies depending on the version of the operating system. In Windows 8 and Windows 10, the shortcut arrow is a white outline with a transparent background. In Windows 7 and Windows Vista, the shortcut arrow is a blue overlay with a white border. Here are some examples of how the default shortcut arrow looks like in different versions of Windows:
Windows 8/10
Windows 7/Vista
The benefits of customizing the shortcut arrow
Customizing the shortcut arrow can have several benefits for your user experience. Some of them are:
You can remove the shortcut arrow completely if you don't need it or don't like it.
You can set the shortcut arrow to a classic style that resembles the one used in Windows XP or earlier versions.
You can use any icon of your choice for the shortcut arrow, such as an image, logo, symbol, or emoji.
You can make your desktop or other folders look more organized, elegant, or fun by changing the shortcut arrow.
How to use Windows Shortcut Arrow Editor to change the shortcut arrow
Windows Shortcut Arrow Editor is a free tool that allows you to easily change the shortcut arrow in Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista. It works properly in both x86 and x64 editions of Windows and does not require installation. Here are the steps to use Windows Shortcut Arrow Editor to customize the shortcut arrow:
Downloading and running the tool
You can download Windows Shortcut Arrow Editor from the official website or from a trusted source. The tool is a portable executable file that does not need installation. You can run it from any folder or drive on your PC. However, you may need to run it as administrator if you have User Account Control (UAC) enabled on your system. To do that, right-click on the file and select "Run as administrator".
Choosing from the preset options
When you run Windows Shortcut Arrow Editor, you will see a simple interface with four buttons: Default, Classic, Light, and No arrow. These are the preset options that you can choose from to change the shortcut arrow. Here is what each option does:
Default: This option restores the default shortcut arrow for your version of Windows. For example, if you are using Windows 8 or Windows 10, it will set the shortcut arrow to a white outline with a transparent background.
Classic: This option sets the shortcut arrow to a classic style that resembles the one used in Windows XP or earlier versions. It is a black arrow with a white border and a transparent background.
Light: This option sets the shortcut arrow to a light style that is similar to the default one but smaller and less noticeable. It is a white outline with a transparent background.
No arrow: This option removes the shortcut arrow completely from all shortcuts on your PC. You will not see any overlay icon on your shortcut files or folders.
To apply any of these options, simply click on the corresponding button and wait for a few seconds. You will see a confirmation message that says "Done" when the process is complete. You may need to restart Explorer or log off and log on again for the changes to take effect.
Using a custom icon for the shortcut arrow
If you want to use your own icon for the shortcut arrow, you can do that with Windows Shortcut Arrow Editor as well. You just need to have an icon file (.ico) that you want to use for the shortcut arrow. You can create your own icon file with an icon editor software or download one from the internet. Make sure that the icon file has a transparent background and is not too large or too small for the shortcut arrow.
To use a custom icon for the shortcut arrow, follow these steps:
Click on the "Select" button at the bottom of the Windows Shortcut Arrow Editor interface.
Browse to the location where you have saved your icon file and select it.
Click on "Open" and then click on "Apply".
Wait for a few seconds until you see the confirmation message that says "Done".
Restart Explorer or log off and log on again for the changes to take effect.
You will now see your custom icon as the shortcut arrow on all shortcuts on your PC.
Restoring the default shortcut arrow
If you want to restore the default shortcut arrow for your version of Windows, you can do that easily with Windows Shortcut Arrow Editor. Just click on the "Default" button and wait for a few seconds until you see the confirmation message that says "Done". Restart Explorer or log off and log on again for the changes to take effect. You will now see the default shortcut arrow on all shortcuts on your PC.
Tips and tricks for using Windows Shortcut Arrow Editor
Windows Shortcut Arrow Editor is a simple and effective tool for changing the shortcut arrow in Windows. However, there are some tips and tricks that can help you use it more efficiently and avoid some common issues. Here are some of them:
How to apply the changes without restarting Explorer
One of the drawbacks of using Windows Shortcut Arrow Editor is that you need to restart Explorer or log off and log on again for the changes to take effect. This can be inconvenient and time-consuming, especially if you want to try different options or revert back to the previous one. However, there is a way to apply the changes without restarting Explorer. You just need to use another free tool called Restart Explorer. This tool allows you to restart Explorer with one click, without affecting your other programs or processes.
To use Restart Explorer, follow these steps:
Download Restart Explorer from its official website or from a trusted source. The tool is a portable executable file that does not need installation.
Run Restart Explorer as administrator by right-clicking on it and selecting "Run as administrator".
You will see a small window with two buttons: Restart Explorer and Exit.
After you have used Windows Shortcut Arrow Editor to change the shortcut arrow, click on the "Restart Explorer" button in the Restart Explorer window.
You will see a confirmation message that says "Explorer has been restarted". Click on "OK".
You will now see the changes applied to the shortcut arrow without logging off or logging on again.
You can also use Restart Explorer to restart Explorer anytime you want, for example, if it becomes unresponsive or crashes.
How to change the size and position of the shortcut arrow
Another limitation of Windows Shortcut Arrow Editor is that it does not allow you to change the size and position of the shortcut arrow. The shortcut arrow will always appear on the lower-left corner of the shortcut file or folder, and its size will depend on the icon size of the shortcut. However, there is a way to change the size and position of the shortcut arrow by editing the registry. This method requires some technical skills and caution, as modifying the registry incorrectly can cause serious problems to your system. Therefore, we recommend that you backup your registry before proceeding and follow the instructions carefully.
To change the size and position of the shortcut arrow by editing the registry, follow these steps:
Open the Registry Editor by pressing Windows + R keys, typing regedit, and clicking on "OK".
Navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Icons
If you don't see a subkey named Shell Icons, right-click on Explorer, select New > Key, and name it Shell Icons.
Right-click on Shell Icons, select New > String Value, and name it 29. This value corresponds to the shortcut overlay icon.
Double-click on 29 and enter the following data: C:\Windows\System32\shell32.dll,-50. This data points to a blank icon that will replace the default shortcut arrow.
Right-click on Shell Icons again, select New > String Value, and name it 30. This value corresponds to the shortcut overlay icon location.
Double-click on 30 and enter the following data: 0 0 0 0. This data specifies the horizontal offset, vertical offset, width, and height of the shortcut overlay icon in pixels. You can adjust these values according to your preference. For example, if you want to move the shortcut overlay icon to the upper-right corner of the shortcut file or folder, you can enter something like -10 -10 16 16.
Close the Registry Editor and restart Explorer or log off and log on again for the changes to take effect.
You will now see the shortcut arrow with a different size and position on all shortcuts on your PC.
How to backup and restore your settings
If you want to backup your settings before changing the shortcut arrow or restore them after changing it, you can do that with Windows Shortcut Arrow Editor as well. The tool allows you to export and import your settings as a registry file (.reg) that you can save on your PC or any external drive. Here are the steps to backup and restore your settings with Windows Shortcut Arrow Editor:
Backup your settings
Run Windows Shortcut Arrow Editor as administrator by right-clicking on it and selecting "Run as administrator".
Click on the "Export" button at the bottom of the interface.
Browse to the location where you want to save your settings and enter a name for your registry file.
Click on "Save".
You will see a confirmation message that says "Settings have been exported". Click on "OK".
Restore your settings
Browse to the location where you have saved your registry file and double-click on it.
You will see a warning message that says "Adding information can unintentionally change or delete values and cause components to stop working correctly". Click on "Yes".
You will see another message that says "The keys and values contained in [file name] have been successfully added to the registry". Click on "OK".
Restart Explorer or log off and log on again for the changes to take effect.
You will now see your settings restored to the previous state.
Conclusion
In this article, we have shown you how to customize the shortcut arrow in Windows with Windows Shortcut Arrow Editor. This tool is a free and easy way to change the shortcut arrow to your liking. You can remove the shortcut arrow, set it to a classic or custom icon, and restore it to its default state. You can also backup and restore your settings with this tool. We hope you have found this article helpful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below.
FAQs
Q: Does Windows Shortcut Arrow Editor work on Windows 10?
A: Yes, Windows Shortcut Arrow Editor works on Windows 10 as well as Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista. However, some users have reported that the tool does not work properly on Windows 10 version 1903 or later. If you encounter any issues with the tool on Windows 10, you may want to try another method to change the shortcut arrow, such as using a third-party software or editing the registry manually.
Q: Is Windows Shortcut Arrow Editor safe to use?
A: Yes, Windows Shortcut Arrow Editor is safe to use as long as you download it from its official website or from a trusted source. The tool does not contain any malware or viruses and does not modify any system files or settings other than the shortcut arrow. However, as with any tool that changes the registry, you should always backup your registry before using it and follow the instructions carefully.
Q: Can I use Windows Shortcut Arrow Editor to change the shortcut arrow for individual shortcuts?
A: No, Windows Shortcut Arrow Editor does not allow you to change the shortcut arrow for individual shortcuts. The tool applies the changes to all shortcuts on your PC. If you want to change the shortcut arrow for individual shortcuts, you may want to use another method, such as using a third-party software or editing the properties of each shortcut manually.
Q: Can I use Windows Shortcut Arrow Editor to change other icons on my PC?
A: No, Windows Shortcut Arrow Editor does not allow you to change other icons on your PC. The tool only changes the shortcut arrow icon. If you want to change other icons on your PC, such as the folder icon, the recycle bin icon, or the drive icon, you may want to use another method, such as using a third-party software or changing the icon settings in Windows.
Q: How can I undo the changes made by Windows Shortcut Arrow Editor?
A: If you want to undo the changes made by Windows Shortcut Arrow Editor, you can do that by clicking on the "Default" button in the tool and restarting Explorer or logging off and logging on again. This will restore the default shortcut arrow for your version of Windows. Alternatively, you can also import your backup registry file if you have exported it before using the tool. dcd2dc6462