Remove the arrow (Shortcut Overlay)

[Herby]

Most Tweak programs remove the arrows by renaming or removing the IsShortCut String Values from the registry.

Windows uses this value to track links, if you remove or rename the IsShortCut value lots of programs and features that use links won't work correctly -> in Vista the shortcuts in Favorite Links, Media Center and in the Games Explorer won't work anymore.

The files in the zip file below remove / change the arrows the same way as TweakUI does in previous Windows versions; it refers the icon to another icon.

If you refer it to a completely blank icon, the overlays turn black when you restart Explorer or Log Off and Log On again.

Solution: I've created a blank icon with some transparent pixels and with the same sizes as the default arrow (imageres.dll,162) -> no more arrows & no black overlays. :)

Install: If you used a program or a reg file that removed the IsShortCut values; merge RestoreArrow.reg to restore them.

Copy Arrow.dll (Icon Resources Library) to your Windows or System32 directory.

Merge RemoveArrow.reg to remove the arrows / merge LittleBlackArrow.reg if you want small black arrows.

Log Off and Log On or Restart your computer.

Uninstall: Merge RestoreArrow.reg and remove Arrow.dll from your Windows or System32 directory.

Log Off and Log On or Restart your computer.

RemoveArrow.zip

Vista - Tips, Tricks & Tweaks

[Herby]

Sometimes it's not enough to Log Off and Log On or Restart your computer to rebuild the icon cache.

If the overlays display a wrong icon or if they don't change then turn off your computer and turn it on again.

If someone knows another way to rebuild the icon cache in Vista, please let me know.