Since we launched vista4beginners.com we noticed that quite a high percentage of our visitors searched for a way to remove the arrow and the "shortcut" text from their Windows Vista shortcuts. So today we are publishing a guide on how to do just that.

Even though this is a topic for experienced users of Windows operating systems that know how to use the registry editor, we tried to make this process as simple as possible. It doesn't matter if you used the registry editor or not, just follow these steps:

First, log in as an administrator. Then download the archive attached to this article and extract it to a folder of your choice.
You will see three files: rem_shortcut_arrow.reg, rem_shortcut_text_from_machine.reg and rem_shortcut_text_from_user.reg.

To remove the arrow from each shortcut, run the "rem_shortcut_arrow.reg" file and make the appropriate confirmations.

To remove the "shortcut" text you need to run one of the other two files. Run "rem_shortcut_text_from_user.reg" if you want to remove the text only for the shortcuts made by the current user and "rem_shortcut_text_from_machine.reg" to remove the text from the shortcuts created by all users registered on your Windows Vista PC.

Reboot your PC and log back in. You will see that the arrows disappeared from all shortcuts and all your newly created shortcuts will no longer have the "shortcut" text. The old ones will keep their name and must be renamed if you want to remove the "shortcut" text.

UPDATE: some of our readers requested for a solution to undo the removal of the shortcut arrow. Just download the "undo_rem_shortcut_arrow.zip" file, extract it and run the ".reg" file included. After you reboot your PC, you will see the shortcut arrows again.

WARNING: Removing the shortcut arrow using this method will disable the "Favorite Links" menu that appears on the left of any folder pane. It will remove all of your links from the pane and leave only a line of text that says "Empty". Use this method only if you don't care about these links.

Note: the attached files are provided "AS IS" with no warranties and confer no rights.

Related articles:
How to create shortcuts to files and folders
How to change the font size in Windows Vista
Take advantage of the new Quick Launch Bar
How to change the size of your icons