We all like to place shortcuts of frequently used programs, folders and drives on the desktop so that we can quickly access them. Placing a shortcut of a program or file on the desktop is very straight-forward in Windows. Right-click on the program in the Start menu or file located in in a drive, click Send to, and then select Desktop to create a shortcut of the program on desktop.
Users who would like to create a shortcut of a file or folder in the current location can right-click on the file/folder and then click Create shortcut option. Windows adds Shortcut label to the end of program or file name and adds a special arrow icon to the new shortcut. Not every user likes the default shortcut icon used in Vista and Windows 7.
Ever wanted to customize the shortcut overlay icon that appears when you create a shortcut of a folder or program or file? If your answer is yes, read on to know about free tool to customize shortcut arrow icon.
Vista Shortcut Overlay Manager is a free software originally developed for Windows 7’s predecessor Vista but this tool works fine on Windows 7 as well. This Shortcut Overlay Manager lets you have a regular arrow overlay icon, small icon, or no arrow at all. Use the Custom arrow option to choose your own custom icon for shortcuts.
Once you select an overlay icon type, you will need to log off and logon again to apply the change. Alternatively, restarting the explorer will also do the job.
Another thing that you can do with this tool is that it allows you remove the Shortcut extension name when new shortcuts are created. Supports both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 7 systems. The only downside is that this is not a standalone tool. You need install it. How to change all file type icons in Windows 7 guide might also interest you.
Download Vista Shortcut Overlay Manager
John Vance says
I installed vista short cut mnager, took arrows off but put a overlay on top of my icons so can’t hardly see what the icon is, how do you correct that ?
Techland says
After changing to the small arrow the desktop looks much more pretty. The icons are less covered and the blue arrow looks really nice. Thanks!