Often, when downloading applications on Android, shortcuts to the downloaded programs are automatically saved on the desktop. Subsequently, deleting this or that program as unnecessary, some, out of ignorance, or maybe simply because “they don’t get around to it,” leave icons, cluttering the desktop so that sometimes it becomes difficult to find the desired application.
Today we will tell you, speaking about devices with Android OS, how to remove a shortcut from the desktop. It must be said that this procedure is not particularly difficult, therefore, anyone, even a not very experienced user, can cope with it. However, for some models of gadgets you will need special utilities, however, first things first.
We will now look at all the ways to solve the problem for different device models. But, you need to understand that by deleting a shortcut, we will not delete the application itself.
Using system tools
On most models of Androbd devices, the procedure is extremely simple, and it is as follows: On the desktop, press your finger on the icon that you want to delete and hold it until “Delete” appears at the top of the display. Without releasing your finger, just drag it there:
On other devices, after clicking on the shortcut, a trash can will appear at the bottom of the screen, into which, without releasing your finger, drag the unnecessary application icon:
The situation is somewhat different with Lenovo smartphones. And if on models of later versions, for example Lenovo s660, the procedure is similar to those described above, i.e. click on the icon, on the display at the top we see the trash can and the inscription “Delete” and, without releasing your finger, drag the shortcut:
But on some devices of earlier versions - up to 4.0.x (Ice Cream Sandwich), for example, the same Lenovo A319, everything is not so simple. Here you will need to install third-party software. Read more about this method.
Using special software
There are actually more than enough applications that solve this problem. We want to offer the simplest and most convenient option - download the Apex Launcher program (or an extended version).
The fast, convenient and multifunctional Apex launcher, in addition to a fairly wide list of features that can be read about at the links provided, does an excellent job of editing shortcuts.
So, after the launcher is installed, open the desktop, select the application icon that we will delete, click on it and hold until the context menu appears. Select “Delete” and after this manipulation the unwanted shortcut will no longer be an eyesore:
How to remove autosave shortcut
We have already said that when installing programs, icons, as a rule, are automatically saved on the desktop. Is it possible to make sure that application shortcuts are not saved, but simply add the necessary icons yourself when necessary?
Yes, you can. What do I need to do:
Go to the Play Store on your smartphone and open Settings. Find the item “Add icons” and uncheck the box:
Moving an icon to the home screen (as well as deleting it) may vary slightly across devices. Sometimes, it is enough to open the main application menu, where all the icons are located. Select the one you need, press it with your finger, and hold it for one to two seconds, after which the icon will appear on the main screen:
Now you can press your finger on the icon, wait for it to highlight and, without releasing your finger, move it to the desired location (if necessary).
On some devices our actions will look slightly different. For example, on the same Lenovo s660, opening the main application menu, long pressing on the desired icon will open the main screen. Continuing to hold the icon, drag it to the desired location, now you can release your finger, and we will see the shortcut of the selected application at the specified location:
How to create a folder with shortcuts on the desktop
To optimize space on the main desktop, it is advisable to create folders in which you can enclose several icons. This is especially true if you often use different applications that are convenient to keep at hand.
Actions we must perform:
Move the desired application icons to the main screen as described above. Then, by clicking on one icon, we move it directly to the one with which we want to combine it. We will immediately be able to see the appearance of a folder with two labels. In the same way, you can add any number of icons to this folder. Now, by clicking on the created folder, hold your finger until the keyboard appears. Enter the name of the folder (for example, “Games”, “Mail”, etc.):
Well, for dessert, for aesthetes who want to create their own labels and inscriptions for them, we suggest watching the video. I say goodbye until the next meeting on the pages of our “Knowledge Base” section. Good luck!
Today I want to tell you how remove arrows from labels in Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. In the Windows operating system, the default settings are when shortcuts on the desktop are marked with special arrows, as if indicating that these are shortcuts (as if it weren’t already clear). But the trouble is that not everyone likes it, well, they don’t decorate the program interface, but vice versa. Moreover, Windows does not even provide for disabling them, at least I have not found how to do this anywhere.
The developers themselves do not provide an answer. This is what they write. I quote R12; " This display is standard for shortcuts and if there are problems with making changes to the standard functions of the product, then this issue cannot be addressed in this forum". By the way, here is a link to this support post about removing arrows.
On the Internet you can find many ways to remove them from labels. Moreover, there are both programs and you can manually correct the registry. In this article I will describe both of these methods (or rather, even three), and you can choose which one is most convenient for you. In my opinion, it is better to use a special program.
These methods work on both Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. I personally tested it on Windows 8.1 64 bit version.
Attention! Not tested on Windows 8.
And further! Before performing these steps, first create a Windows restore point.
Method one. We remove the arrows using a special program, namely Aero Tweak. There is no need to install it, it just starts and that’s it. Here's what the BEFORE labels look like. Those. arrows are present.
Now we find the downloaded program on the computer and run it.
Dim program interface. On the left side select “Windows Explorer” and on the right we find the item “ Don't show arrows on labels" and mark it with a tick.
That's basically it! Now all that remains is to restart the computer.
Reboot the computer, and Voila! The arrow on desktop icons is gone.
By the way, as you can see, the program has many additional functions for customizing the operating system, so if you are interested, you can experiment with it. But be careful, it is designed for Windows 7. On the eight, I only tested working with desktop shortcuts.
Method two. Disable arrows on the desktop by editing the registry with special files with the extension .reg
Download the archive with files called “remove_arrow.zip”
We find the folder in which it was downloaded and open it.
We see several files. We select the file we need based on what operating system you have installed. I have a 64-bit version, so I run the file “64-bit_Remove_Shortcut_Arrow”. If you have a 32-bit system, then select another file with 32-bit. Let's launch it.
We agree with the addition of information to the register. Click the “Yes” button
We receive a message that the information has been successfully entered into the registry. Click the “Ok” button
All you have to do is restart your computer and you're done.
If you are somehow not satisfied with the desktop with shortcuts without arrows, then you can return everything to its place. To do this, you need to run the file from the archive under the name “Restore_Shortcut_Arrow.reg”, agree to the addition of information and restart the computer. All arrows will fall into place.
Method three. This method is suitable for those who are already well versed in computers and do not want to use any third-party programs. Those. here we will work (as it is fashionable to say among programmers now) with our hands, namely, to edit. If in the second method we edited the registry using ready-made files, then here we will do it ourselves.
So open the registry editor. To do this, right-click on the “START” button (this only applies to Windows 8), and find the Run command
In the command line, type the command “regedit” and click the “Ok” button
We get to the registry editor. Here we need to expand the “HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT” section
In the directory tree that opens, on the left side, finds a folder named R12; Lnkfile. And on the right side we find and select parameter R12; IsShortcut, who is responsible for displaying arrows on desktop shortcuts.
Right-click on this parameter and select “Rename”
Rename it R12; IsNotShortcut, save it so it looks like the picture below
We restart the computer and rejoice in the absence of arrows.
That's basically it.
Installation of additional software, as well as games, etc. follows. After this, more and more icons appear on the Desktop and I personally am annoyed by the fact that arrows are displayed in the lower left corner of these shortcuts and the word “Shortcut” is automatically added.
In order to make your Desktop more beautiful, you can easily disable the display of these arrows and remove the word “Shortcut” by changing the system registry settings.
For those who are not confident in their abilities and are afraid to edit the registry, there are many sites on the Internet that host files with the “.reg” extension. “ , performing the actions I described. After downloading and running the specified files, you will only need to agree to make changes to the system registry.
I will describe and show how to make the necessary changes manually. You must see and know what has been changed and where.
LABEL ARROW
Go to the “Start” button menu, write “regedit” in the search field and left-click on the found executable file regedit.exe.
In the registry editing program window that opens, follow the following path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE - SOFTWARE - Classes - lnkfile
and double-click on the “IsShortcut” parameter on the left side of the editor window. Set the number “0” in the “Value” field and click on “OK”.
Reboot the operating system to apply the changes made. If no changes have occurred and the label arrows remain in place, then move on to the second option. We just completely remove the “IsShortcut” parameter (this option helped me).
The arrows disappeared and began to look like this.
WORD LABEL
Let me immediately note that this change will only affect newly created icons. For all previously created ones, you need to edit all the inscriptions manually. Using the same principle, we go to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER - Software - Microsoft - Windows - CurrentVersion - Explorer
and double-click on the “link” parameter.
Replace the number “16” with “00” and click “OK”.
We restart the computer and the newly created icons will be displayed without the word “Shortcut”.
Thank you for your attention, blog reader! For those who want to remove names, the article “” will help. Please share the link to the article with your friends via social networking buttons and leave your comments.
Shortcuts are special icons that help quickly launch applications, files, folders, etc. An icon is only a pointer to a real object, which is located in another folder on the hard drive. Shortcuts allow you to quickly launch games, software and Explorer from the desktop. This applies not only to desktop Windows operating systems, but also to mobile OS. Next, we will look at how to remove a shortcut from the desktop in different ways, and also figure out what actions you can take to get it back. Let's start with Windows operating systems.
Removing shortcuts on Microsoft OS
Let's look at the main methods for removing shortcuts that are relevant for Windows. It’s worth saying right away that the presented methods are suitable not only for the “ten”, but also for most versions, starting with XP.
So, you can remove a shortcut from the desktop on a computer or laptop running Windows in the following ways:
- The first is deletion using the Delete key. You need to select the shortcut with the mouse by clicking LMB once. After that, click Delete to make a warning window appear. Select OK. The selected shortcut will now appear in the Trash.
- The second option is to use the context menu. To do this, click on the icon again, but this time RMB. An additional menu will appear on the screen in which you must select “Delete”. After which the same window will appear confirming the procedure. We agree to the removal. The label will end up in the Trash with the rest of the “garbage” in the same way.
- The third option is to simply drag and drop it into the Trash. LMB on the icon and, without releasing it, drag it to the Trash. After this, release the LMB - the file will be placed in the folder with the deleted data.
Using these methods, you can remove shortcuts from the desktop and then place them in the trash.
How to remove icons from the trash?
To do this, you must follow the standard cleaning procedure. Open the folder with deleted files by double-clicking LMB. After that, right-click in an empty space and select “Empty Trash” from the menu.
You can also perform this procedure without opening the folder. To do this, you need to right-click on the icon and select the same item in the menu. Now let's look at some of the nuances and problems that users often encounter.
How to remove a desktop shortcut that won't delete?
Sometimes a user may encounter a problem in which desktop icons refuse to be erased. Often this problem occurs when, when trying to delete, the user does not see the treasured button in the menu or when dragging the icon to the Trash, nothing changes.
If you don’t want to understand the reasons for the error, then just use one of the tips:
- To remove a shortcut from your desktop, open Registry Editor. To do this, enter regedit in the search bar and run the utility. After that, go to the path HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE → SOFTWARE → Microsoft → Windows → CurrentVersion → Explorer → Desktop and find the nameSpace branch. It must be removed and then restarted.
- If you don't want to manually make changes to the registry, try turning on your computer in safe mode. To do this, select the appropriate option when loading the OS. Typically, safe mode allows you to erase non-deletable files from your computer.
All of the above steps are relevant not only for this PC, which you use directly, but also for remote desktop shortcuts on Windows 10.
Restoring icons
What should you do if you need to get back shortcuts that you deleted by mistake? The following instructions will be useful in this case.
Firstly, if you have removed the shortcut from your desktop, but have not yet emptied the Recycle Bin, then restoring the file is quite easy. To do this, open the "Trash" folder and find the file you need there. Right-click on it and select “Restore” from the context menu. After this, the icon will return to its original place.
If you cleared the folder earlier, you can restore the deleted shortcut on the desktop as follows:
- Open the directory in which the desired program or game is installed/file is located, etc.
- Find this file. If we are talking about launching a program, then you will need an executable file with the exe extension.
- Right-click on it and select “Create Shortcut” from the menu.
- In the window that opens, you must specify the path to the location where this shortcut will be saved. To select a folder, click on "Browse".
- In the catalog, select "Desktop" and click OK.
- In the previous window, the “Next” button will become active - click it.
- The next step is to change the shortcut name. Enter the name and click "Done".
In this way, you can create not only a program/game shortcut, but also make a link to the folder. After this, you won’t have to look for it in directories on your hard drive.
How to remove a shortcut from the desktop on Android?
The uninstall procedure is very similar to what desktop Windows offers. Only shortcuts are located on the Android desktop, and the programs themselves can be deleted through the menu or device settings. Therefore, you can do whatever you want with icons on your desktop.
Depending on your shell and operating system version, one of the following methods may be available to you:
- Long press on the icon and drag it to the top panel with the "Delete" button.
- Press and hold the shortcut with your finger and select delete from the menu that opens.
Now you know how to remove a shortcut from your desktop on Windows or Android. As you can see, this procedure is very simple and quick!
The Windows 7 operating system allows you to customize the design and other details for each user personally. The main page, which most often catches the eye and serves as a quick access to applications and files - the desktop, is also subject to detailed editing, and its main components - shortcuts - can be changed: reduced or enlarged, assigned other properties and an icon.
What is a “Shortcut” and what function does it perform?
A shortcut is a direct link to the executive module of a program. That is, in the folder in which you installed something, there is a special application, by launching which you can open the program itself. In order not to search for this application in numerous folders every time, create a shortcut for it on the desktop or in another convenient place.
For even faster access to applications, there is a taskbar that does not disappear when opening windows or programs, and all shortcuts on it are launched in one click.
The taskbar contains the most important shortcuts
To see which application a desktop shortcut belongs to, right-click on it, and then select the “File Location” section.
Click on the “File location” button
To find out the same information about a shortcut on the taskbar, right-click on it, then right-click on its name or icon and click on the “Properties” option.
Go to the properties of the shortcut located on the taskbar
In the window that appears, the path to the source application will be indicated in the “Object” section:
The file location is in the "Object" section
Zoom out or zoom in - adjust the scale
If there is no more space on the screen, and it is not possible to remove unnecessary shortcuts, then you can reduce their size. If for some reason you are uncomfortable using standard size labels, you can enlarge each of them. But remember that after changing their sizes, the routine may be lost, since the grid format will change, and you will have to re-arrange the labels.
Through editing desktop properties
To change the size of shortcuts through the built-in desktop settings, do the following:
Right-click on an empty space
Go to the “View” tab
Choose one of the options
Using the mouse wheel
There is another way to edit label sizes, which gives you many more than three scale options:
Hold down the Ctrl button
Roll the mouse wheel to change the scale of the shortcuts
Video: big and small - how to change the size of icons on the Windows 7 desktop
How to remove arrow icons
To remove the arrow from a shortcut icon, do the following:
Press and hold the Win and R buttons
Run the regedit command
Go to the Inkfil folder
Rename the file
Reboot the computer
There is a second way to achieve your goal:
Download the application
Go to the Windows Explorer section
Activate the “Do not show arrows on labels” function
Click the “Apply” button
Video: how to remove shortcuts from the desktop
Removing a shield icon
The shield icon indicates that the application only works if you have administrator rights. To disable User Account Control and along with it the shield icon, follow these steps:
Press and hold the Win and R buttons
Run the regedit command
Go to the “Service” section
Select the desired line and press the “Run” button
Move the slider down
Click the “OK” button
Click on the “Reboot” button
How to change properties and appearance
If for some reason you are uncomfortable with the appearance of the shortcuts of your installed programs, then use these instructions:
Go to “Properties”
Go to the “Shortcut” tab
Click on the “Change icon” button
Select the desired icon
press the “OK” button
To change shortcuts to system programs, such as Recycle Bin or My Computer, follow these steps:
Open the Personalization program
Go to the “Change desktop icons” tab
Select the shortcut and click the “Change icon” button
Select the desired icon
click "OK" button
Video: changing the icon
How to remove one shortcut or hide all at once
To delete a specific shortcut, right-click on it and select “Delete”.
Removing the shortcut
If you want to hide all shortcuts at once, then do the following:
Go to the “View” tab
Uncheck the box next to the words “Display desktop icons”
How to recover
If you have not emptied the Recycle Bin application since deleting the shortcut, go to it and right-click on the desired file and select Restore. If the Trash has been emptied, the shortcut cannot be restored.
Restoring the shortcut
What to do if shortcuts delete on their own
The reason for such incidents may be an error in the application to which the shortcut led. After each reboot, Windows checks all the shortcuts on the desktop, and if any of them lead to an application with an error, it automatically deletes it. But if this function does not work correctly or interferes with you, then there are two options:
Reduce the number of shortcuts on the desktop to four, as a result of which system self-cleaning will stop working. This can be done by grouping all shortcuts into folders, or by deleting unnecessary ones.
The second way is to disable the self-cleaning feature by following these steps:
We are looking for the program “Checking Computer Status”
Open the “Maintenance” section
Click on the “Change troubleshooting settings” button
Check the box next to “Disable”
Click the “OK” button
To make your computer work pleasant and convenient, try not to clutter your desktop with shortcuts and files. If possible, group them into folders, this will help you not worry about the amount of free space on the screen for as long as possible. If this is not possible, then reduce the scale of each label. But remember that the system can independently decide to remove a shortcut from the desktop if it is sure that it does not lead to a running program.
