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re: Comment about 'Getting rid of Icon Arrows' Saturday, April 27, 2002 at 3:44 pm Posted by Cliff Armstrong (100 messages posted) Hey Jam, don't give up just yet. I had the same problem. After a long evening with Google I found a tip. Go into your display properties - settings and change your icon size to "30". That made my arrows go away, it just might do yours too. On Saturday, April 27, 2002 at 2:54 pm, JAM wrote: >I followed the steps/instructions to remove the "black arrow in a white box" >in all my Desktop Icons in Windows 98. I hate the darned arrows and >I hate Windows. > >I went into REGEDIT.EXE, then to FIND, typed "IsShortcut", then >removed/deleted all "IsShortcut" references by using FIND NEXT (F3). > >But when I followed the REFRESH (F5) step, nothing happened; the arrows >would not go away. > >So I tried again with TWEAK UI, went into the EXPLORER Tab, to the >SHORTCUT OVERLAY section, first selecting "LIGHT ARROW", then inmediately >selected "NONE" (as in: NO arrow), then hit APPLY, and by golly the >darned arrows dissapeared from all the Desktop Icons. > >I want to say here that I have had NO arrows in my Desktop Icons since >1998 when I first used TWEAK UI. But recently, I went into Microsoft's >UPDATE page and downloaded a CRITICAL UPDATE. After this CRITICAL >UPDATE installed itself, all the arrows came back, and TWEAK UI could >not remove them as before. >I do not know WHAT was done to my system by this CRITICAL UPDATE, >and in fact, everytime I download something from Microsoft Update site, >SOMETHING ALWAYS GETS SCREWED UP IN MY SYSTEM, so THAT'S IT. >No more "critical updates", I don't trust Microsoft anymore. >I have DELETED EVERY REFERENCE TO MICROSOFT WINDOWS UPDATE. >Enough is Enough. > >All I wish now is for a different company, a decent company, to come >forth with a new graphic OS to finally erradicate Microsoft off the face >of the earth. I mean, those people at Microsoft are so conceited and >arrogant, once they SELL their software, they don't give a damm about >ANY OF US USERS. So just IGNORE Microsoft, they're digging their own >hole anyway. Word gets around Billy Boy. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Comment about 'Getting rid of Icon Arrows' Saturday, April 27, 2002 at 3:51 pm Posted by Larry (213 messages posted) Hi Jam - Same here; have used tweakui for a very, very long time, without any problem -- 'til I downloaded an update. I've recommended changing the icon size to 30 or less or performing the regedit you mention; however, renaming the 'isshortcut' strings instead, closing regedit and rebooting. Renaming might be a safer measure and less drastic. The key locations are: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\piffile As always, always backup your registry before doing any editing. You might really appreciate the tips on this page (just for info): Windows 98 Registry Backup and Restore On Saturday, April 27, 2002 at 2:54 pm, JAM wrote: >I followed the steps/instructions to remove the "black arrow in a white box" >in all my Desktop Icons in Windows 98. I hate the darned arrows and >I hate Windows. > >I went into REGEDIT.EXE, then to FIND, typed "IsShortcut", then >removed/deleted all "IsShortcut" references by using FIND NEXT (F3). > >But when I followed the REFRESH (F5) step, nothing happened; the arrows >would not go away. > >So I tried again with TWEAK UI, went into the EXPLORER Tab, to the >SHORTCUT OVERLAY section, first selecting "LIGHT ARROW", then inmediately >selected "NONE" (as in: NO arrow), then hit APPLY, and by golly the >darned arrows dissapeared from all the Desktop Icons. > >I want to say here that I have had NO arrows in my Desktop Icons since >1998 when I first used TWEAK UI. But recently, I went into Microsoft's >UPDATE page and downloaded a CRITICAL UPDATE. After this CRITICAL >UPDATE installed itself, all the arrows came back, and TWEAK UI could >not remove them as before. >I do not know WHAT was done to my system by this CRITICAL UPDATE, >and in fact, everytime I download something from Microsoft Update site, >SOMETHING ALWAYS GETS SCREWED UP IN MY SYSTEM, so THAT'S IT. >No more "critical updates", I don't trust Microsoft anymore. >I have DELETED EVERY REFERENCE TO MICROSOFT WINDOWS UPDATE. >Enough is Enough. > >All I wish now is for a different company, a decent company, to come >forth with a new graphic OS to finally erradicate Microsoft off the face >of the earth. I mean, those people at Microsoft are so conceited and >arrogant, once they SELL their software, they don't give a damm about >ANY OF US USERS. So just IGNORE Microsoft, they're digging their own >hole anyway. Word gets around Billy Boy. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Comment about 'Getting rid of Icon Arrows' Saturday, April 27, 2002 at 4:30 pm Posted by phantom (5661 messages posted) I hate to say it because I am a PC guy , but if you want an operating system with no problems you have to have a Mac. I just don't want to learn the new procedure. They are different than a PC. It is the most stable OS on the market, but pricey. (phantom) On Saturday, April 27, 2002 at 2:54 pm, JAM wrote: >I followed the steps/instructions to remove the "black arrow in a white box" >in all my Desktop Icons in Windows 98. I hate the darned arrows and >I hate Windows. > >I went into REGEDIT.EXE, then to FIND, typed "IsShortcut", then >removed/deleted all "IsShortcut" references by using FIND NEXT (F3). > >But when I followed the REFRESH (F5) step, nothing happened; the arrows >would not go away. > >So I tried again with TWEAK UI, went into the EXPLORER Tab, to the >SHORTCUT OVERLAY section, first selecting "LIGHT ARROW", then inmediately >selected "NONE" (as in: NO arrow), then hit APPLY, and by golly the >darned arrows dissapeared from all the Desktop Icons. > >I want to say here that I have had NO arrows in my Desktop Icons since >1998 when I first used TWEAK UI. But recently, I went into Microsoft's >UPDATE page and downloaded a CRITICAL UPDATE. After this CRITICAL >UPDATE installed itself, all the arrows came back, and TWEAK UI could >not remove them as before. >I do not know WHAT was done to my system by this CRITICAL UPDATE, >and in fact, everytime I download something from Microsoft Update site, >SOMETHING ALWAYS GETS SCREWED UP IN MY SYSTEM, so THAT'S IT. >No more "critical updates", I don't trust Microsoft anymore. >I have DELETED EVERY REFERENCE TO MICROSOFT WINDOWS UPDATE. >Enough is Enough. > >All I wish now is for a different company, a decent company, to come >forth with a new graphic OS to finally erradicate Microsoft off the face >of the earth. I mean, those people at Microsoft are so conceited and >arrogant, once they SELL their software, they don't give a damm about >ANY OF US USERS. So just IGNORE Microsoft, they're digging their own >hole anyway. Word gets around Billy Boy. [Reply or follow-up to this message] Reboot ,not Refresh.... Saturday, April 27, 2002 at 4:47 pm Posted by GM (6055 messages posted) I have NEVER had the registry edit fail for me ,but I have found that you must REBOOT the computer , not refresh the screen. There are only 2 instances of IsShortcut to be changed and I usually rename them to IsShortcutOld ,instead of deleting them.... I have performed this operation on a lot of computers and it always works. I have downloaded ALL the MS Critical Updates in the past , and none of them have affected this "tweak"... Anytime you make a change to the registry ,it is best to reboot the computer before expecting the change to take hold. [Reply or follow-up to this message] Sorry to disagree, but... Saturday, April 27, 2002 at 7:34 pm Posted by Larry (213 messages posted) I've downloaded ALL the updates too... and, an update did, in fact, unhide the shortcut arrows... after years of not having them... On Saturday, April 27, 2002 at 4:47 pm, Galaxy Master wrote: >I have NEVER had the registry edit fail for me ,but >I have found that you must REBOOT the computer , >not refresh the screen. > >There are only 2 instances of IsShortcut to be changed >and I usually rename them to IsShortcutOld ,instead >of deleting them.... > >I have performed this operation on a lot of computers >and it always works. >I have downloaded ALL the MS Critical Updates in the >past , and none of them have affected this "tweak"... > >Anytime you make a change to the registry ,it is >best to reboot the computer before expecting the >change to take hold. > [Reply or follow-up to this message] So GM, you do agree that.. Saturday, April 27, 2002 at 7:57 pm Posted by gord (228 messages posted) a M$ update was behind all these posts regarding " how do I get rid of shortcut arrows". I hope so, if I`m wrong I stand corrected. If I had a dollar (Canadian) for every time I`ve been asked ( about removal) or seen Larry`s never ending cure, I would actually have enough money set aside for a good ole case of Molson`s Canadian On Saturday, April 27, 2002 at 4:47 pm, Galaxy Master wrote: >I have NEVER had the registry edit fail for me ,but >I have found that you must REBOOT the computer , >not refresh the screen. > >There are only 2 instances of IsShortcut to be changed >and I usually rename them to IsShortcutOld ,instead >of deleting them.... > >I have performed this operation on a lot of computers >and it always works. >I have downloaded ALL the MS Critical Updates in the >past , and none of them have affected this "tweak"... > >Anytime you make a change to the registry ,it is >best to reboot the computer before expecting the >change to take hold. > [Reply or follow-up to this message] trigger happy, and.. Saturday, April 27, 2002 at 8:36 pm Posted by gord (228 messages posted) forgot to say, thanks Larry for helping me and all the other stumped posters. "it`s better to rename than delete" On Saturday, April 27, 2002 at 7:57 pm, gord wrote: >a M$ update was behind all these posts regarding " how do I get rid of shortcut arrows". >I hope so, if I`m wrong I stand corrected. If I had a dollar (Canadian) for every >time I`ve been asked ( about removal) or seen Larry`s never ending cure, I would >actually have enough money set aside for a good ole case of Molson`s Canadian > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] Let's get real here! Sunday, April 28, 2002 at 12:10 am Posted by Paul D (2162 messages posted) Anybody who thinks not having arrows on shortcut icons is more important than fixing security holes deserves everything that happens to them. They're not called Critical Updates for fun. Paul D On Saturday, April 27, 2002 at 2:54 pm, JAM wrote: >I followed the steps/instructions to remove the "black arrow in a white box" >in all my Desktop Icons in Windows 98. I hate the darned arrows and >I hate Windows. > >I went into REGEDIT.EXE, then to FIND, typed "IsShortcut", then >removed/deleted all "IsShortcut" references by using FIND NEXT (F3). > >But when I followed the REFRESH (F5) step, nothing happened; the arrows >would not go away. > >So I tried again with TWEAK UI, went into the EXPLORER Tab, to the >SHORTCUT OVERLAY section, first selecting "LIGHT ARROW", then inmediately >selected "NONE" (as in: NO arrow), then hit APPLY, and by golly the >darned arrows dissapeared from all the Desktop Icons. > >I want to say here that I have had NO arrows in my Desktop Icons since >1998 when I first used TWEAK UI. But recently, I went into Microsoft's >UPDATE page and downloaded a CRITICAL UPDATE. After this CRITICAL >UPDATE installed itself, all the arrows came back, and TWEAK UI could >not remove them as before. >I do not know WHAT was done to my system by this CRITICAL UPDATE, >and in fact, everytime I download something from Microsoft Update site, >SOMETHING ALWAYS GETS SCREWED UP IN MY SYSTEM, so THAT'S IT. >No more "critical updates", I don't trust Microsoft anymore. >I have DELETED EVERY REFERENCE TO MICROSOFT WINDOWS UPDATE. >Enough is Enough. > >All I wish now is for a different company, a decent company, to come >forth with a new graphic OS to finally erradicate Microsoft off the face >of the earth. I mean, those people at Microsoft are so conceited and >arrogant, once they SELL their software, they don't give a damm about >ANY OF US USERS. So just IGNORE Microsoft, they're digging their own >hole anyway. Word gets around Billy Boy. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: agree Sunday, April 28, 2002 at 6:39 am Posted by GM (6055 messages posted) I have NO doubt that an MS update is behind this sudden surge in arrow reappearance , but what I said is that it never affected MY computer (nor any of the computers that I personally "administrate".....) I have had updates in the past screw up other things , so I know it can happen ,but my arrows have always stayed gone.... But , like Paul says , shortcut arrows are a cosmetic thing and anyone who loses it , about a small cosmetic thing versus patching security holes , definitley needs to spend a little less time in front of the computer screen...... As someone else said , thats why MS doesn't support TweakUI.....it's fun to play with ,but it's not 100% effective and is prone to interference... [Reply or follow-up to this message] Give me a ****** break! Sunday, April 28, 2002 at 11:55 am Posted by Larry (213 messages posted) But , like Paul says , shortcut arrows are a cosmetic thing and anyone who loses it , about a small cosmetic thing versus patching security holes , definitley needs to spend a little less time in front of the computer screen...... You're right! Cosmetics! ... and, then these same 'holier than thou' critics turn around and add cosmetic flags and marquees to their posts... [Reply or follow-up to this message] Who said they were? Sunday, April 28, 2002 at 12:15 pm Posted by Larry (213 messages posted) Get off your high and mighty pedestal! Often, you can't readily see the benefits of these updates and take them for granted. Unfortunately, these 'shortcut arrows', while minor, just happen to reappear as a side effect, and can be readily seen. Thus, people ask questions. If it's beneath your intellect to entertain such 'minor' issues, then why respond? Sling your hash elsewhere. On Sunday, April 28, 2002 at 12:10 am, Paul D wrote: >Anybody who thinks not having arrows on shortcut icons >is more important than fixing security holes deserves everything that happens to >them. They're not called Critical Updates for fun. > >color=#3366FF>Paul D > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Comment about 'Getting rid of Icon Arrows' Sunday, April 28, 2002 at 1:11 pm Posted by Bobstur (2225 messages posted) If anyone's interested I think I know what actually happened so that TweakUI no longer works to remove the shortcut arrow. The March 7th, I believe it was, update, replaced the shell32.dll file with a new version. This is the file that holds the shortcut overlay icon and applies the arrow to shortcuts. With the original shell32.dll, the addition to the registry of a Shell Icons key and pointer to another icon source for shell32.dll's #29 arrow icon would override the arrow icon. This is what TweakUI did. Now, the new shell32.dll apparently doesn't look for the Shell Icons key, hence the arrow removal no longer works. Bottom line, the two cures are 1) delete/rename the two IsShortcut or 2) restore the original shell32.dll file. The first choice is probably better if one assumes M$ had some valid security reason for replacing shell32.dll. Looks like M$ had their head up their ___ on this one. Bob Sturtevant  http://home.adelphia.net/~bobstur/ Please reply in the forum and let us know. [Reply or follow-up to this message] people, you are great!! Wednesday, May 1, 2002 at 6:23 am Posted by CrookedRain (68 messages posted) Thanks for all the tips, especially the one about RENAMING instead of DELETING keys. I know a lot, but I don't know it all, and you all came through. Please read my question about the MSCONFIG STARTUP folder's Order of Loading. Any clarification will be appreciated. Been trying to clean up this folder and re-arrange the order of programs loading but I can't get to the bones of this file. THANKS PEOPLE!! [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: people, you are great!! Wednesday, June 12, 2002 at 12:25 pm Posted by Gonz (2 messages posted) Likewise, Jam. There's nothing quite as nice as hitting a discussion group like Annoyances for your answers. That the think tank slings the odd criticism around at each other is just a feature of the productive thinking that goes on here. I don't mind it and it can be fun. Thanks for the great tip on fixing the Arrows problem. It takes a few posts together to illustrate the full problem and solution. Keep up the good (team)work and see you all after the next critical update ;) On Wednesday, May 1, 2002 at 6:23 am, JAM wrote: >Thanks for all the tips, especially the one about RENAMING instead of >DELETING keys. I know a lot, but I don't know it all, and you all came >through. >Please read my question about the MSCONFIG STARTUP folder's Order of >Loading. Any clarification will be appreciated. Been trying to clean up >this folder and re-arrange the order of programs loading but I can't get >to the bones of this file. >THANKS PEOPLE!! [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Comment about 'Getting rid of Icon Arrows' Wednesday, June 26, 2002 at 10:56 am Posted by Small Potatoes (5 messages posted) Changing the icon overlay for shortcuts. What I did may be of interest to someone who wants to use the light grey arrow overlay but can't because of the Windows 98 Q313829 Update. This requires an icon editing application. I usedMicroangelo and these are the steps I performed. 1. Copy shell32.dll to the folder that you use for temporary storage for editing. eg. "AAA" or "Working" or... If you don't have one, create one. 2. Rename this file to a meaningful name. I always add my three initials to the front of any file name that I am going to edit or want to eventually delete. I've never seen an app or system file begin with tml. It makes these files easy to find with a search and if all apps are still working after nnn days, I feel that I can safely delete the file. Thus the file I will be editing will be "tmlshell32.dll". 3. Using Microangelo Librarian, open tmlshell32.dll. 4. Right click on the arrow icon and open for editing. This will open Microangelo Studio. 5. Edit the icon to be what you want. I got rid of everything but the black arrow and then changed the the color of the arrow to the bright pink looking color. Make it light grey if that is what you want. 6. Save is not available but instead you update the library. 7. Close and reopen the Librarian and open tmlshell32.dll again. If you like what you see, fine. If not, edit it again and again until you are satisfied. 8. Close Microangelo. 9. Copy tmlshell32.dll to the Windows\System folder. You now have shell32.dll and tmlshell32.dll in the Windows\System folder. 10. Restart in DOS mode. This is necessary because shell32.dll is in use when you are in Windows. 11. Change to the Windows\System directory. 12. Rename shell32.dll to shell32.old. 13. Rename tmlshe~1.dll (ie. tmlshell32.dll) to shell32.dll. On Sunday, April 28, 2002 at 1:11 pm, Bobstur wrote: >If anyone's interested I think I know what actually happened so that TweakUI no longer >works to remove the shortcut arrow. The March 7th, I believe it was, update, replaced >the shell32.dll file with a new version. This is the file that holds the shortcut >overlay icon and applies the arrow to shortcuts. > With the original shell32.dll, the addition to the registry of a Shell Icons key >and pointer to another icon source for shell32.dll's #29 arrow icon would override >the arrow icon. This is what TweakUI did. > Now, the new shell32.dll apparently doesn't look for the Shell Icons key, hence >the arrow removal no longer works. > Bottom line, the two cures are 1) delete/rename the two IsShortcut or 2) restore >the original shell32.dll file. The first choice is probably better if one assumes >M$ had some valid security reason for replacing shell32.dll. > Looks like M$ had their head up their ___ on this one. > Bob Sturtevant  > >http://home.adelphia.net/~bobstur/ > >Please reply in the forum and let us know. > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Comment about 'Getting rid of Icon Arrows' Saturday, July 20, 2002 at 8:42 pm Posted by Lee (9 messages posted) Small Potatoes, please tell me how to use DOS to locate the file and also how to rename them I did everything else you said but I dont know how to use DOS. PLEASE HELP! [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Comment about 'Getting rid of Icon Arrows' Sunday, July 28, 2002 at 7:30 am Posted by Small Potatoes (5 messages posted) Let me see if I can help. I certainly cannot teach you DOS in this post but here are a couple of things. DOS only recognizes the 8.3 naming format. That means that any filename longer than 8 characters with a 3 character extension will be truncated to 6 characters ~ and a number, then the extension. tmlshell32.dll is 10 characters so it will be tmlshe~1.dll in DOS because it is the first file in that directory that starts with those 6 characters. In the commands below I will use _ to designate a space. When you type in DOS, upper or lower case does not matter. CD is the change directory command. When you reboot to DOS you will probably be in C:\windows. Type: CD_SYSTEM to change to the C:\windows\system directory. RENAME is the rename command. Type: RENAME_SHELL32.DLL_SHELL32.OLD Type: RENAME_TMLSHE~1.DLL_SHELL32.DLL [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Comment about 'Getting rid of Icon Arrows' Saturday, August 10, 2002 at 4:05 am Posted by Brentsen (4 messages posted) I didn't read the step-by-step instructions on this on, but I've done it many times. For this particular tweak, a mere refresh won't work. As a matter of fact, strange as it sounds, even rebooting doesn't show the change. The change will not take effect until the current icon cache has been deleted and rebuilt. You will need to either delete it yourself (after you've gotten rid of the IsShortcut values in the registry), or do a complete shutdown and cold boot. To delete it yourself, look for a file called ShellIconCache (hidden file) in your windows directory. Rename it if you want to be safe and the refresh or reboot. Windows will rebuild the icon cache and the pesky arrows should be gone. On Saturday, April 27, 2002 at 2:54 pm, JAM wrote: >I followed the steps/instructions to remove the "black arrow in a white box" >in all my Desktop Icons in Windows 98. I hate the darned arrows and >I hate Windows. > >I went into REGEDIT.EXE, then to FIND, typed "IsShortcut", then >removed/deleted all "IsShortcut" references by using FIND NEXT (F3). > >But when I followed the REFRESH (F5) step, nothing happened; the arrows >would not go away. > >So I tried again with TWEAK UI, went into the EXPLORER Tab, to the >SHORTCUT OVERLAY section, first selecting "LIGHT ARROW", then inmediately >selected "NONE" (as in: NO arrow), then hit APPLY, and by golly the >darned arrows dissapeared from all the Desktop Icons. > >I want to say here that I have had NO arrows in my Desktop Icons since >1998 when I first used TWEAK UI. But recently, I went into Microsoft's >UPDATE page and downloaded a CRITICAL UPDATE. After this CRITICAL >UPDATE installed itself, all the arrows came back, and TWEAK UI could >not remove them as before. >I do not know WHAT was done to my system by this CRITICAL UPDATE, >and in fact, everytime I download something from Microsoft Update site, >SOMETHING ALWAYS GETS SCREWED UP IN MY SYSTEM, so THAT'S IT. >No more "critical updates", I don't trust Microsoft anymore. >I have DELETED EVERY REFERENCE TO MICROSOFT WINDOWS UPDATE. >Enough is Enough. > >All I wish now is for a different company, a decent company, to come >forth with a new graphic OS to finally erradicate Microsoft off the face >of the earth. I mean, those people at Microsoft are so conceited and >arrogant, once they SELL their software, they don't give a damm about >ANY OF US USERS. So just IGNORE Microsoft, they're digging their own >hole anyway. Word gets around Billy Boy. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Comment about 'Getting rid of Icon Arrows' Sunday, September 8, 2002 at 9:48 am Posted by Robert Wallace (3 messages posted) I replaced shell32.dll from a backup (thanks Retrospect) and immediately got back the "Light arrow" that I'd used TweakUI to set. Of course, you have to do it from DOS, since Windows is using the dll when its running. Anyway, I've kept the security update version of shell32.dll around in case I notice any problems, but so far it looks good. As far as the security aspects of MS replacing the dll, I can only speculate that MS didn't want it calling possibly malicious code -- the "feature" that tweakui capitalizes on to replace or remove the shortcut arrow. Well, I've been running Win98 for several years without the security fix and I've got an excellent firewall and virus software. I believe I'll take the risk... Robert On Sunday, April 28, 2002 at 1:11 pm, Bobstur wrote: >If anyone's interested I think I know what actually happened so that TweakUI no longer >works to remove the shortcut arrow. The March 7th, I believe it was, update, replaced >the shell32.dll file with a new version. This is the file that holds the shortcut >overlay icon and applies the arrow to shortcuts. > With the original shell32.dll, the addition to the registry of a Shell Icons key >and pointer to another icon source for shell32.dll's #29 arrow icon would override >the arrow icon. This is what TweakUI did. > Now, the new shell32.dll apparently doesn't look for the Shell Icons key, hence >the arrow removal no longer works. > Bottom line, the two cures are 1) delete/rename the two IsShortcut or 2) restore >the original shell32.dll file. The first choice is probably better if one assumes >M$ had some valid security reason for replacing shell32.dll. > Looks like M$ had their head up their ___ on this one. > Bob Sturtevant > >http://home.adelphia.net/~bobstur/ > >Please reply in the forum and let us know. > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Comment about 'Getting rid of Icon Arrows' Saturday, October 26, 2002 at 2:27 pm Posted by Jean (6 messages posted) That worked on my Win 98 SE system !! Thanks ;-) On Saturday, August 10, 2002 at 4:05 am, Brent Jensen wrote: >I didn't read the step-by-step instructions on this on, but I've done it many times. >For this particular tweak, a mere refresh won't work. As a matter of fact, strange >as it sounds, even rebooting doesn't show the change. The change will not take effect >until the current icon cache has been deleted and rebuilt. You will need to either >delete it yourself (after you've gotten rid of the IsShortcut values in the registry), >or do a complete shutdown and cold boot. To delete it yourself, look for a file called >ShellIconCache (hidden file) in your windows directory. Rename it if you want to >be safe and the refresh or reboot. Windows will rebuild the icon cache and the pesky >arrows should be gone. > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Comment about 'Getting rid of Icon Arrows' Sunday, November 17, 2002 at 6:26 am Posted by Martin Goebel (1 messages posted) Thanks for this helpful solution. The ONLY thing that actually worked for me was to change the IsShortcut key as suggested here. In addition, it is necessary to also change: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\InternetShortcut in order for the arrow to dissapear from URLs that you save on the desktop. On Saturday, April 27, 2002 at 3:51 pm, Larry wrote: >Hi Jam - >Same here; have used tweakui for a very, very long time, without any problem >-- 'til I downloaded an update. > >I've recommended changing the icon size to 30 or less or performing the regedit you >mention; however, renaming the 'isshortcut' strings instead, closing regedit and >rebooting. > >Renaming might be a safer measure and less drastic. The key locations are: > >HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile >HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\piffile > >As always, always backup your registry before doing any editing. You might really >appreciate the tips on this page (just for info): Windows >98 Registry Backup and Restore > > > > > > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Comment about 'Getting rid of Icon Arrows' Wednesday, February 12, 2003 at 9:00 pm Posted by chris (3 messages posted) or you could just download freeBSD or any BSD variant, which are free and more stable than any mac OS. On Saturday, April 27, 2002 at 4:30 pm, Dick Benke wrote: >I hate to say it because I am a PC guy , but if you want an operating system with >no problems you have to have a Mac. I just don't want to learn the new procedure. >They are different than a PC. It is the most stable OS on the market, but pricey. >(phantom) > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Comment about 'Getting rid of Icon Arrows' Thursday, February 13, 2003 at 6:01 am Posted by phantom (5661 messages posted) Chris, I have a package of SUSE Linux CDs. I think I am going to build a new machine with strictly Linux, rather that put it on one of my computers along with 98. It is all together different, but like you say it is stable. On Wednesday, February 12, 2003 at 9:00 pm, chris wrote: >or you could just download freeBSD or any BSD variant, which are free and more stable >than any mac OS. > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Comment about 'Getting rid of Icon Arrows' Thursday, February 13, 2003 at 2:03 pm Posted by chris (3 messages posted) SuSE is alright as far as linux goes, but gentoo is sleak. go with gentoo On Thursday, February 13, 2003 at 6:01 am, phantom wrote: >Chris, I have a package of SUSE Linux CDs. I think I am going to build a new machine >with strictly Linux, rather that put it on one of my computers along with 98. It >is all together different, but like you say it is stable. > [Reply or follow-up to this message] Yes and no at once. Saturday, July 19, 2003 at 2:03 pm Posted by Nicky (54 messages posted) I hate those damn shortcut arrows as well, and suddenly I noticed that they had re-appeared. (So also did the little yellow speaker image in the system tray! I've been messing with network connections...) I had used the original method without trouble, but since, I'd obtained TweakUI and so tried its less risky approach and selected the "none" option for the decorations. To no avail. The damn arrows were still there, even on restart. So, back to regedit, and in each of the two locations I saw that there were two entries, "IsNotShortcut" AND "IsShortcut", both of which has null text values (ie ""), so I deleted the "IsShortcut" entries, and this time, success. Immediate too. No restart (yet again, grr), just close RegEdit and they vanished... [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Comment about 'Getting rid of Icon Arrows' Sunday, July 27, 2003 at 3:00 pm Posted by janeil (1 messages posted) Same story here. Long,long ago, I would rename the registry key to "isBobShortcut", but then just used tweakUI for years. Finally went to cable modem this summer, thought, why not, try windows update, and boom, stupid little arrows reappear. I'd forgotten about the unusual affects of renaming the registry key (shortcut keys don't work? also extra right-button options now appear) so I used Microangelo to doctor up shell32.dll, I think that's by far the best fix. Though now I realize I have no other use for TweakUI! Microangelo is (and has been) a great utility for a long time IMO. On Saturday, April 27, 2002 at 3:51 pm, Larry wrote: >Hi Jam - >Same here; have used tweakui for a very, very long time, without any problem >-- 'til I downloaded an update. > >I've recommended changing the icon size to 30 or less or performing the regedit you >mention; however, renaming the 'isshortcut' strings instead, closing regedit and >rebooting. > >Renaming might be a safer measure and less drastic. The key locations are: > >HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile >HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\piffile > >As always, always backup your registry before doing any editing. You might really >appreciate the tips on this page (just for info): Windows >98 Registry Backup and Restore > > > > > > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Comment about 'Getting rid of Icon Arrows' Wednesday, January 7, 2004 at 9:10 pm Posted by BobJ (2 messages posted) I just reviewed this entire thread (all 27 messages) because I was looking for a way to get rid of those annoying shortcut arrows. I agree with some of the posters that it's just a cosmetic thing, but . . . geeezzzz . . . it's annoying anyway!!!!! Like a lot of the folks on here, I had/have TweakUI and also had done (just before I Googled to this forum) one of those "Critical Windows Updates", and the update (actually, I did 5 of them) messed up my desktop icons with the reappearing shortcut arrows. And, like a lot of folks here, my use of TweakUI failed to remove those arrows - even though the TweakUI setting showed that they should have been removed. At first, I tried rebooting and resetting the TweakUI settings, but none of that seemed to work. So I ended up Googling here looking for a solution. Reading this thread, I saw that others have gone through the EXACT same thing. OK . . . the solution - which is not really any revelation here because it's a confirmation of what some have already suggested right here (Thanks, BTW). First, I opened regedit and searched for all the instances of "IsShortcut". I found about 8 of them (including the two most frequently mentioned here) and renamed (NOT deleted, but RENAMED as suggested by several posters here) them to "IsShortcutOld". Then I found the ShellIconCache file and renamed that also ("ShellIconCacheOld") and DID A COLD REBOOT(ie. I turned the machine completely off and then back on again). IT WORKED!!!! THANKS AGAIN!!!! BJ P.S. Whether any of this would have worked with deleting instead of renaming, soft reboot or F5 Refresh instead of hard reboot, or skipping the ShellIconCache step, I don't know. I went right for the "kill" as recommended here. P.P.S. After applying the "Critical Updates", I also had a message on opening my IE after hard booting "IE is not your default browser, do you wish . . . [blah, blah, blah]". That was kind of strange since I have never had any other browser on my system, and have never gotten that message before. Years ago when I tried Netscape(on another machine I had), I got that message, but not since then. I clicked on "Yes" and am assuming I won't see that again. [Reply or follow-up to this message] So, does this mean TweakUI no longer works on anything??? Thursday, January 8, 2004 at 12:03 am Posted by BobJ (2 messages posted) BobS, Are you saying that TweakUI will not work on anything else that it's designed for, or just the arrow removal part?? (I can confirm from my own experience that the arrow removal part no longer works after applying certain "Critical Updates" - see my other post in this thread). Does the "Critical update" that changes the shell32.dll file disbable ALL functions of TweakUI??? It sounds like you're saying that it just impacts the arrow removal part of TweakUI, but I wanted to ask for sure. TIA BJ On Sunday, April 28, 2002 at 1:11 pm, Bobstur wrote: >If anyone's interested I think I know what actually happened so that TweakUI no longer >works to remove the shortcut arrow. The March 7th, I believe it was, update, replaced >the shell32.dll file with a new version. This is the file that holds the shortcut >overlay icon and applies the arrow to shortcuts. > With the original shell32.dll, the addition to the registry of a Shell Icons key >and pointer to another icon source for shell32.dll's #29 arrow icon would override >the arrow icon. This is what TweakUI did. > Now, the new shell32.dll apparently doesn't look for the Shell Icons key, hence >the arrow removal no longer works. > Bottom line, the two cures are 1) delete/rename the two IsShortcut or 2) restore >the original shell32.dll file. The first choice is probably better if one assumes >M$ had some valid security reason for replacing shell32.dll. > Looks like M$ had their head up their ___ on this one. > Bob Sturtevant  > >http://home.adelphia.net/~bobstur/ > >Please reply in the forum and let us know. > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: So, does this mean TweakUI no longer works on anything??? Thursday, January 8, 2004 at 3:28 am Posted by Bobstur (2225 messages posted) BJ, Glad the Annoyances archives are still serving a purpose. As far as I know, the shortcut arrow thing didn't ruin any other aspects of TweakUI. Bob On Thursday, January 8, 2004 at 12:03 am, BobJ wrote: >BobS, > >Are you saying that TweakUI will not work on anything else that it's designed for, >or just the arrow removal part?? (I can confirm from my own experience that the >arrow removal part no longer works after applying certain "Critical Updates" - see >my other post in this thread). > >Does the "Critical update" that changes the shell32.dll file disbable ALL functions >of TweakUI??? It sounds like you're saying that it just impacts the arrow removal >part of TweakUI, but I wanted to ask for sure. > >TIA > >BJ > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Comment about 'Getting rid of Icon Arrows' Friday, January 28, 2005 at 7:51 pm Posted by Tombo (2 messages posted) Thanks Cliff, hope you're still at this address, changed the icon size from 32 to 30 and the little white shortcut arrows disappeared; like magic; who'da thought. On Saturday, April 27, 2002 at 3:44 pm, Cliff Armstrong wrote: >Hey Jam, don't give up just yet. I had the same problem. After a long evening with >Google I found a tip. Go into your display properties - settings and change your >icon size to "30". That made my arrows go away, it just might do yours too. > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Comment about 'Getting rid of Icon Arrows' Saturday, January 29, 2005 at 10:09 am Posted by Cliff Armstrong (100 messages posted) You're welcome Tombo, and yes I'm still here. Only thing is nowadays i use XP so I'm not likely to be making new posts here in the 98 forum. Come to think of it, I don't recall posting anything in the XP forum either. Which kind of gives you an idea of why i'm using it. ;) On Friday, January 28, 2005 at 7:51 pm, Tombo wrote: >Thanks Cliff, hope you're still at this address, changed the icon size from 32 to >30 and the little white shortcut arrows disappeared; like magic; who'da thought. > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Comment about 'Getting rid of Icon Arrows' Wednesday, March 2, 2005 at 1:32 pm Posted by Alec Jones (2 messages posted) I tried ALL the options recommended above, w/o success. Finally, I found the solution: another program similar to TweakUI. Go here: http://www.freshdevices.com/freshui.html Work your way down to the Folders section and you'll find the option to turn those arrows off - without making any registry changes yourself. There's a simple signup procedure to get the file, but it [and their other files] are very useful and FREE. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Comment about 'Getting rid of Icon Arrows' Wednesday, March 2, 2005 at 2:22 pm Posted by Alec Jones (2 messages posted) Sorry, but my reference is wrong. Go to Windows Interface/Desktop/Shortcut and you'll find options re: the arrows. On Wednesday, March 2, 2005 at 1:32 pm, Alec Jones wrote: Go here: >http://www.freshdevices.com/freshui.html >Work your way down to the Folders section and you'll find the option to turn those >arrows off - without making any registry changes yourself. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Comment about 'Getting rid of Icon Arrows' Monday, April 4, 2005 at 6:50 pm Posted by grrwood (1 messages posted) the most stable operating system on the market is not made by apple its made by frushtrated people like you and me. tired of microsoft and the updates. do your self a favor look into mandrake linux or red hat linux. save your self the hastle. also with linux you get about 15,000 dollars worth of free software for free. every thing you can do at work and do at home i can do on linux. writing, guitar pro, games, internet. linux has got it all and you can stop worring about every day virus updates. well hope this helps. latter, grrwood On Saturday, April 27, 2002 at 2:54 pm, CrookedRain wrote: >I followed the steps/instructions to remove the "black arrow in a white box" >in all my Desktop Icons in Windows 98. I hate the darned arrows and >I hate Windows. > >I went into REGEDIT.EXE, then to FIND, typed "IsShortcut", then >removed/deleted all "IsShortcut" references by using FIND NEXT (F3). > >But when I followed the REFRESH (F5) step, nothing happened; the arrows >would not go away. > >So I tried again with TWEAK UI, went into the EXPLORER Tab, to the >SHORTCUT OVERLAY section, first selecting "LIGHT ARROW", then inmediately >selected "NONE" (as in: NO arrow), then hit APPLY, and by golly the >darned arrows dissapeared from all the Desktop Icons. > >I want to say here that I have had NO arrows in my Desktop Icons since >1998 when I first used TWEAK UI. But recently, I went into Microsoft's >UPDATE page and downloaded a CRITICAL UPDATE. After this CRITICAL >UPDATE installed itself, all the arrows came back, and TWEAK UI could >not remove them as before. >I do not know WHAT was done to my system by this CRITICAL UPDATE, >and in fact, everytime I download something from Microsoft Update site, >SOMETHING ALWAYS GETS SCREWED UP IN MY SYSTEM, so THAT'S IT. >No more "critical updates", I don't trust Microsoft anymore. >I have DELETED EVERY REFERENCE TO MICROSOFT WINDOWS UPDATE. >Enough is Enough. > >All I wish now is for a different company, a decent company, to come >forth with a new graphic OS to finally erradicate Microsoft off the face >of the earth. I mean, those people at Microsoft are so conceited and >arrogant, once they SELL their software, they don't give a damm about >ANY OF US USERS. So just IGNORE Microsoft, they're digging their own >hole anyway. Word gets around Billy Boy. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Comment about 'Getting rid of Icon Arrows' Wednesday, June 6, 2007 at 10:17 pm Posted by Mike Scirocco (1 messages posted) Thanks Cliff, >Hey Jam, don't give up just yet. I had the >same problem. After a long evening with >Google I found a tip. Go into your display >properties - settings and change your icon >size to "30". That made my arrows go >away, it just might do yours too. That worked great for my win98se. Mike [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Comment about 'Getting rid of Icon Arrows' Thursday, September 27, 2007 at 7:32 am Posted by Meg Pixel (1 messages posted) To Get rid of annoying Icon Arrows on shortcuts: 1-Download TuneUp7 2-Click open TuneUp Styler2 3-Where it says "Shortcut Overlay" remove check from box then click apply and ok Arrows are gone! On Saturday, April 27, 2002 at 2:54 pm, CrookedRain wrote: >I followed the steps/instructions to remove the "black arrow in a white box" >in all my Desktop Icons in Windows 98. I hate the darned arrows and >I hate Windows. > >I went into REGEDIT.EXE, then to FIND, typed "IsShortcut", then >removed/deleted all "IsShortcut" references by using FIND NEXT (F3). > >But when I followed the REFRESH (F5) step, nothing happened; the arrows >would not go away. > >So I tried again with TWEAK UI, went into the EXPLORER Tab, to the >SHORTCUT OVERLAY section, first selecting "LIGHT ARROW", then inmediately >selected "NONE" (as in: NO arrow), then hit APPLY, and by golly the >darned arrows dissapeared from all the Desktop Icons. > >I want to say here that I have had NO arrows in my Desktop Icons since >1998 when I first used TWEAK UI. But recently, I went into Microsoft's >UPDATE page and downloaded a CRITICAL UPDATE. After this CRITICAL >UPDATE installed itself, all the arrows came back, and TWEAK UI could >not remove them as before. >I do not know WHAT was done to my system by this CRITICAL UPDATE, >and in fact, everytime I download something from Microsoft Update site, >SOMETHING ALWAYS GETS SCREWED UP IN MY SYSTEM, so THAT'S IT. >No more "critical updates", I don't trust Microsoft anymore. >I have DELETED EVERY REFERENCE TO MICROSOFT WINDOWS UPDATE. >Enough is Enough. > >All I wish now is for a different company, a decent company, to come >forth with a new graphic OS to finally erradicate Microsoft off the face >of the earth. I mean, those people at Microsoft are so conceited and >arrogant, once they SELL their software, they don't give a damm about >ANY OF US USERS. So just IGNORE Microsoft, they're digging their own >hole anyway. Word gets around Billy Boy. 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