You can link it to a Windows function that you might use often, such as initiating the lock screen or entering Airplane mode. You can also create your very own Windows 10 desktop icon. When Windows reboots, the desktop will now look so much better without those little arrows everywhere! Create a Desktop Icon for a Windows Function Reboot your computer for the change to take effect.Paste ‘%windir%System32shell32.dll,-50’ into the Value data box and click OK to save the change.Right-click your new ‘Shell Icons’ key and select New and String Value.Right-click the Explorer folder and select New, Key and name it ‘Shell Icons’.Navigate to ‘HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorer’.Press Windows key + R, then type ‘regedit’ and hit Enter.It’s better to be overly cautious rather than not cautious enough.

The change requires modifying a registry entry, so it might be a good idea to create a Windows restore point first.

I really don’t know why Windows still uses the little arrow, as most users don’t care whether they use a shortcut or the executable directly, and the end result is the same. Remove the shortcut arrow from Windows 10 desktop iconsĪnother neat trick to make your desktop more attractive is to remove the small arrow that denotes a shortcut. If you don’t like the options presented, you can download icons from the internet to give your desktop a truly personal look.

The icon will now be permanently changed to the one you selected. I can always use Cortana or the Windows Start menu to access a program without a shortcut. It strikes a happy medium between easy accessibility and a usable desktop. I tend to leave the checkbox selected on apps that I know I’m going to use a lot and unchecked for those programs I won’t use all that much. When you install apps and programs on your computer, one of the last options you get to choose is usually, ‘ Add shortcut to Desktop.’ The option is usually accompanied by a checkbox option, which you can leave checked to add the icon or uncheck if you don’t want to clutter up the desktop. Add a Windows 10 Desktop Shortcut During Installation Even so, as you can see, it’s not a difficult process. Usually, programs will install an icon automatically but that isn’t always the case.

Drag the icon from the Windows Start Menu.

Right-click and select Send to, Desktop (create shortcut).

Drag and drop the executable directly from the folder it is installed in.

You have several options if you want to add Windows 10 desktop icons for programs you have already installed. Add Windows 10 Desktop Icons of Installed Programs

How to install windows 10 icon pack