How to remove a shortcut icon from a shortcut: methods, procedure

By default, in any version of the Windows operating system, the corresponding icon is located on the shortcuts, which is located in the lower left corner. In general, it does not interfere with anything, but some users would like to get rid of it. To do this is not so simple as it might seem at first glance. This article will talk about how to remove a shortcut icon from a shortcut. We will offer you three ways at once.

How to remove a shortcut icon from an icon

It is worth saying that there are several methods for how to complete the task. Each of them is significantly different from the other, therefore it is recommended to familiarize yourself with all in order to determine the best for yourself.

Method 1: using Blank.ico

Often, to change some system elements, the user has to make changes to the registry, which is problematic for most users. Fortunately, a slightly different way was developed to remove the Windows 10/8/7 shortcut icon. It consists in using a special Blank.ico file and several registry files. So, we proceed directly to the implementation of the task:

1. Follow this link to download the desired archive: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Hu7Q984-qEYHQSh11rVsG0MhqbZQTogU.
2. After the file is downloaded, unzip it.
3. In the folder you will find three files. Copy Blank.ico to the Windows directory. It is located immediately on the system drive.
4. Return to the folder with three files and double-click on the file RemoveArrow.reg.
5. In the window that appears, confirm your actions by clicking the "Yes" button.
6. In the subsequent window, also click the "OK" button.

Shortcuts from desktop icons should disappear. If in the future you want to return them, run another file from the folder - RestoreArrow.reg, and the shortcuts will appear again.

Method 2: through the registry editor

The first way to remove shortcut icons in Windows 7/8/10 was considered. In it, we just mentioned that this action is often carried out in the system registry. Accordingly, this method will now be considered. It is worth saying in advance that you carry out all the corrections at your own peril and risk. If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to use another method from this article.

So, to remove the shortcut icon from the shortcut, the first thing you need to do is start the window of the registry editor itself. There is a universal and quick way to do this in different versions of the operating system:

1. Use hotkeys by pressing Win + R.
2. In the window that appears, type regedit.
3. Click on the "OK" button.

The window we need will appear. It is necessary to go to the Explorer directory, which is located on the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer 

As soon as you find the desired folder, right-click on it and select "Create" from the menu that appears. An additional list will appear, in which you must select "Section". You will be asked to enter the name of the item to be created, enter Shell Icons. Please note: if the system says that such a section already exists, this step must be skipped.

Go to the Shell Icons folder and in the window workspace create a new file. To do this, click RMB on an empty space and select "Create String Parameter". When asked to enter a name, write "29".

Now you need to set the parameter to the value. This is done quite simply. First, double-click on the file "29" with the mouse, then in the "Value" field, enter or paste the following expression:

 %Windir%\System32\Shell32.dll,-50 

It remains only to press the "OK" button, close the system registry window and restart the computer. This is the second way to remove a shortcut icon from a shortcut. To put it mildly, it is rather laborious, so let's look at a simpler way.

Method 3: using the registry file

Perhaps the easiest option for how to remove the shortcut icon from the shortcut will be the third one. It consists in using a registry file. In fact, it just needs to be launched.

So:

1. Download the file at this link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1UIisgF3acL9hFYrnKVoF4PScq3CTBItc.
2. Unzip the archive to any directory on your computer.
3. Run the file RemoveArrow.reg.
4. Confirm your actions by clicking Yes and OK.

After that, you need to restart the computer - all the shortcuts will disappear from the icons on the desktop.

How to remove the shield icon from the shortcut

All ways to remove the shortcut icon have been considered. But if you have been working at a computer for a long time, you may have noticed that in addition to the shortcut icon, there is a shield icon on some files. It warns the user that administrator privileges are required to run the program. Accordingly, this "decor element" is also not liked by all users. Fortunately, it can also be removed. There are three ways to do this.

Via Group Policy Editor

The first way to remove the shield icon from the Windows 10/8/7 shortcuts is to change the local group policy settings.

To complete the task, follow these steps:

1. Launch the Control Panel.
2. Go to the "System and Security" section.
3. In the "Security and Service Center" category, click on the "Change settings" link.
4. A window will appear where you need to move the slider to the bottom to the “Never notify” mark.

We just turned off notifications confirming the launch of programs. After that, you can proceed directly to removing the shields from the icons:

1. Open the Run window by pressing Win + R.
2. Type and run gpedit.msc.
3. In the window that appears, find the line "User Account Control: all administrators work in administrator approval mode" and double-click on it.
4. In the window that appears, set the switch to the "Disabled" position.
5. Click OK.

After that, you will need to restart the computer so that all guards disappear from the shortcuts.

Via command line

There is a much easier way. It consists in entering a specific parameter on the command line. However, it is worth saying right away that a second user will appear in the system - the Administrator. And only if you log in with his account, all the guards will disappear. If this method does not suit you, use the previous one.

1. Open the Start menu.
2. In the "All Programs" section, find the "Utilities" folder.
3. In it, find the "Command Line" and right-click on it.
4. In the menu that appears, select "Run as administrator."

After that, the "Command Prompt" window will open. Enter the following command into it:

 net user  /active:yes 

After that, press Enter. That's all, it remains only to restart the computer and log in to the administrator account.

In the "Administrator" properties

Not everyone is comfortable working on the command line. Fortunately, the previous steps can be repeated using the graphical interface:

1. Right-click on the computer icon.
2. Select Manage.
3. In the window that appears, go to the "Local Users" section, and then to the "Users" folder.
4. Right-click on the "Administrator" item and select "Properties" from the drop-down menu.
5. In the window of the same name, uncheck "Disconnect account".

Thus, you perform all the steps from the previous method in the graphical interface. It only remains to restart the computer and log into the Administrator account so that the shield icons disappear from the shortcuts.