Removing the shortcut arrow from Vista

[mlou5ca]

Click on the ORB and type regedit where it says Start Search. You will see regedit in the left pane. Click on it and the Registry Editor will open. Click on HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT. Search for lnkfile. Find the one that is in the left pane. You may come accross some in the right pane. When you come to the right one you should see the following in the right pane:

Default

EditFlags

FriendlyTypeName

IsShortcut

Rename IsShortcut to AriochIsShortcut

Close Regedit and reboot.

The shortcut arrows should be gone.

[Darth2007]

Click on the ORB and type regedit where it says Start Search. You will see regedit in the left pane. Click on it and the Registry Editor will open. Click on HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT. Search for lnkfile. Find the one that is in the left pane. You may come accross some in the right pane. When you come to the right one you should see the following in the right pane:

Default

EditFlags

FriendlyTypeName

IsShortcut

Rename IsShortcut to AriochIsShortcut

Close Regedit and reboot.

The shortcut arrows should be gone.

This does work, but beware of some problems. One is that the game links in the start menu may stop working. You may get a message that these files don't have anything associated with it. I heard of some people having other problems as well. Just a heads up.

D.

[Herby]

Rename IsShortcut to AriochIsShortcut

That's the same as removing the IsShortcut String Value.

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 disappear or won't work anymore.

More info and fix @ Vista - Tips, Tricks & Tweaks -> Remove the arrow (Shortcut Overlay) without side effects.

[mlou5ca]

Hi:

Thanks for the input. I think Microsoft also cautions about removing IsShortcut. I did rename it and have had no problems as far as I can tell.

That's the same as removing the IsShortcut String Value.

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 disappear or won't work anymore.

More info and fix @ Vista - Tips, Tricks & Tweaks -> Remove the arrow (Shortcut Overlay) without side effects.

Hi:

Thanks for the input. I think Microsoft also cautions about removing IsShortcut. I did rename it and have had no problems as far as I can tell.

This does work, but beware of some problems. One is that the game links in the start menu may stop working. You may get a message that these files don't have anything associated with it. I heard of some people having other problems as well. Just a heads up.

D.

[Herby]

Hi:

Thanks for the input. I think Microsoft also cautions about removing IsShortcut. I did rename it and have had no problems as far as I can tell.

Try to launch a game from the Games Explorer...

[ozgeek]

What happens if I make a backup of the key and delete that key (I mean in the registry). If I am to restore the backup, will that fix up the game links or will it stay broken?

I just want experience that shortcut side effects myself.

[Herby]

What happens if I make a backup of the key and delete that key (I mean in the registry). If I am to restore the backup, will that fix up the game links or will it stay broken?

I just want experience that shortcut side effects myself.

Restoring it will fix the game links & the other side effects.

[mlou5ca]

Hi:

I have been using the "Games" without any problem.

Try to launch a game from the Games Explorer...

[phot0nic]

Click on the ORB and type regedit where it says Start Search. You will see regedit in the left pane. Click on it and the Registry Editor will open. Click on HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT. Search for lnkfile. Find the one that is in the left pane. You may come accross some in the right pane. When you come to the right one you should see the following in the right pane:

Default

EditFlags

FriendlyTypeName

IsShortcut

Rename IsShortcut to AriochIsShortcut

Close Regedit and reboot.

The shortcut arrows should be gone.

Dude, renaming an existing registry entry is essentially the same as deleting one. I don't know who or what "Arioch" is, but this isn't new at all.

I'd go into why this method is bad advice, but others seem to have already done that thoroughly. I'd like to point out that similar tips are given for XP as well as Vista, and this method SHOULD NOT be done on XP either.

[Habu]

I first learned this on Win 95 and have used it on 98, 98se, me, xp and now Vista with NO probs. I always go ans rename Isshortcut in lnkfile and piffile. I have always justb added XX in front or back of Isshortcut. Doesn't matter, on next boot, no arrows.