How to remove blue arrows from icons on Windows 10

If you are a Windows 10 user, you may have noticed the blue arrows that appear on desktop and folder icons. These arrows indicate that the item is a shortcut to another location in the operating system or an application.

However, many people find these arrows annoying or unaesthetic and would like to remove them. In this article, we will show you how to do it.

What are the blue arrows on icons?

The blue arrows on icons in Windows 10 indicate that the icon is a shortcut to another location in the system, such as a folder or file. When you click on the arrowed icon, the system automatically opens the destination of the shortcut.

The blue arrows are useful for quickly creating shortcuts to frequently used applications or files. However, if you have many icons with blue arrows on your desktop, it can become confusing and cluttered.

In addition, some people may find the blue arrows annoying or unaesthetic and prefer to remove them.

Fortunately, it is possible to remove blue arrows from icons easily and quickly in Windows 10.

• Note: Removing blue arrows does not delete the shortcut to the original location of the folder or file. It only removes the visual indicator of the arrow.

Why remove blue arrows?

The blue arrows on file and folder icons in Windows 10 are used to indicate that a file or folder has been compressed. However, many people find these arrows annoying or unaesthetic and prefer to remove them. Additionally, if you have a lot of compressed files, the icons with arrows can make it difficult to quickly distinguish between different types of files.

Removing blue arrows from icons can also make the desktop cleaner and more organized by eliminating unnecessary visual elements.

In addition, some people argue that the presence of blue arrows may slightly slow down the operating system, although this effect is likely negligible on most modern computers.

In general, the choice to remove or keep blue arrows depends on the user's personal preferences and their need for a cleaner and more efficient desktop.

• Advantages:
• A cleaner and more organized desktop
• Better distinction between different types of files
• Possible increase in operating system speed (although negligible)
• Disadvantages:
• Losing useful information on the file or folder icon (compression)

Method 1: Modify the Registry

The Registry of Windows is a database that contains all the information and settings of the operating system. Modifying some of the settings in the Registry can help solve some problems, including that of removing blue arrows from icons.

Step 1: Open the Registry Editor

To open the Registry Editor, press the "Windows" + "R" keys simultaneously on your keyboard to open the Run window. Type "regedit" in the text box and press "Enter". A dialog box will appear asking for permission to open the application. Click "Yes" to authorize opening the Registry Editor.

Step 2: Navigate to the appropriate key

In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following key:

If the Shell Icons folder does not exist, create it by right-clicking on the Explorer folder and selecting New -> Key. Rename the new key as Shell Icons.

Step 3: Create a new string value

Right-click on the Shell Icons folder and select New -> String Value. Rename the new value as 29.

Step 4: Modify the string value

Double-click on the newly created string value (29) and type "-50" in the text box. Click "OK" to save changes.

Step 5: Restart your computer

Restart your computer to apply changes. After restarting, blue arrows should be removed from icons on your desktop.

This method requires modifying your registry, so it's important to be careful while performing operations described above. If you have any doubts or uncertainties, consult an expert or back up your registry before making any modifications.

Method 2: Use third-party software

If the first method did not work or if you prefer to use a specific software to remove blue arrows, you can try using a third-party application such as "Ultimate Windows Tweaker".

Steps:

• Download and install the "Ultimate Windows Tweaker" application from the official website.
• Open the application and select the "Customization" tab.
• Scroll down to find the option "Remove arrows from shortcuts".
• Click on the checkbox next to the option to select it.
• Click "Apply" to save changes.
• Restart your computer to make changes effective.

After restarting your computer, blue arrows should be removed from icons. If you want to restore them in the future, simply follow the same steps and deselect the option "Remove arrows from shortcuts".

Conclusion

Removing blue arrows from icons on Windows 10 may seem like a complicated operation, but it's actually quite simple. By following steps described in this article, you'll be able to remove blue arrows from icons on your desktop with ease.

However, remember that if you are not sure what you are doing, it is always better to avoid modifying system settings. Additionally, keep in mind that removing the blue arrows may make it harder to identify icons on your desktop, especially if you have many icons present.

In any case, if you decide to proceed with this modification, be sure to carefully follow the described steps and pay attention to any warnings or error messages that may appear during the process.

• Always verify compatibility of applications downloaded from external sources
• Make a backup copy of files before modifying them
• Never perform advanced operations without thorough knowledge of the risks involved

We hope this article has been helpful in customizing your desktop on Windows 10. If you have any questions or comments regarding this topic, don't hesitate to leave a comment below!