To change or remove shortcut overlay arrows in Windows 7, follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to modify the system registry, which controls the overlay icons. Always back up your registry before making any changes to prevent potential system issues.
- Backup Your Registry. Before making any modifications, it’s crucial to back up your registry. Open the Start menu, type regedit in the search box, and press Enter to launch the Registry Editor. In the editor, click File > Export. Choose a safe location, give your backup a name, and click Save.
- Identify the Current Overlay Icon. The default overlay arrow is stored in system files, but to customize it, locate the registry keys that control overlay icons. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Icons. If the Shell Icons key does not exist, create it by right-clicking on Explorer, selecting New > Key.
- Create or Edit the Alpha Icon Entry. Inside Shell Icons, right-click on an empty space and choose New > String Value. Name this value 17. This specific entry defines the overlay icon. Double-click on 17 and set its value to the path of your custom icon file (a .ico image). To remove the overlay arrow, use a transparent or blank icon file.
- Choose a Custom Overlay Icon. Find or create an icon file (.ico) that you want to use as your overlay. You can search online for free overlay icons or edit existing icons using icon editing software. Save the icon in a convenient location, such as C:\Icons\custom_arrow.ico.
- Apply Changes and Restart Windows Explorer. To see the changes, restart Windows Explorer. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. In the Processes tab, find explorer.exe, right-click, and choose End Process. Then, in Task Manager, go to File > New Task (Run…), type explorer.exe, and press Enter.
- Verify Your Changes. Check your desktop icons to see if the shortcut overlay arrow has changed or disappeared as intended. If the overlay does not reflect your changes, double-check the registry entries and ensure your icon file path is correct. Be cautious: incorrect registry edits can cause system issues, so restore the backup if necessary.
Many users prefer using third-party tools like Winaero Tweaker or IconPackager for easier customization of overlay arrows. These tools provide visual interfaces to change overlay icons without manual registry editing. However, registry tweaks provide more direct control. Always proceed with caution and back up your system beforehand.
