KB126631 - Removing Arrow on Shortcut Icons

PSS ID Number: 126631

Article Last Modified on 5/6/2003

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
Microsoft Windows 98
Microsoft Windows 95

This article was previously published under Q126631

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, you should first make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat). Both are hidden files in the Windows folder.

SUMMARY

When you create a shortcut or program information file (PIF), the icon that is generated has an arrow in the lower left corner. Microsoft Windows has a registry setting called IsShortcut that causes this arrow to appear.

MORE INFORMATION

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall Windows. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

NOTE: For information about how to edit the registry, view the Changing Keys And Values online Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe). Note that you should make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat) before you edit the registry.

If you do not want new shortcut icons to contain this arrow, use Registry Editor to search for and remove the IsShortcut value from:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\piffile

You can also use Windows PowerToys to alter the appearance of shortcut icons. For additional information about PowerToys, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

ARTICLE-ID: 145688
TITLE : Microsoft Windows PowerToys Readme.txt File

NOTE: In Office 2000, this registry change causes an error when accessing a shortcut to a folder that contains other shortcuts. Service patches do not resolve the issue. Error Message:

The document name or path is not valid. Try these suggestions:
* Check the file permissions for the document or drive.
* Use the File Open dialog box to locate the document. (path\filename)

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