Is it possible to remove the shortcut layer for a single icon?

[mws7497]

I am creating an Access database to manage the contacts for a small charity. I want to use the charity's logo as a desktop icon. I have created a button for the database but it shows the shortcut arrow layer. is it possible to remove this from just one icon or is there a better way? The icon will sit on at least 5 machines

Thanks in advance

 

[Ranger4]

You could try what is shown on this youtube website & see if that works for you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgThMMvsyGs

 

[mws7497]

Thanks for the reply. This registry hack changes all shortcuts and I want it to only affect 1.

 

[Ranger4]

OK. Perhaps this one might help you. Here again I have not tried it, so it may remove the arrow from all your desktop icons. If that is the case then it looks like it's none or all the arrows.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3606-shortcut-arrow-change-remove-restore.html

 

[mws7497]

Thanks again, this is also applies to none or all. Bill Gates obviously doesn't want us to do it

 

[Ranger4]

It is generally not recommended which is explained on this MS website. You can read through it & see if it helps explain to you why.
In your case if someone actually deleted your Access Database Icon from the desktop, without it being a short cut, they would actually delete the database, which I assume you would not want, whereas if they delete the shortcut the database is still intact.

how do you remove shortcut arrow from desktop icon - Microsoft Community

 

[mws7497]

Does removing the arrow layer from the shortcut stop it being a shortcut?

The database will be on a shared drive, max of 5 windows machines and 1 macbook. I can protect it with a regular backup to a protected location

 

[JDobbsy1987]

It won't stop it from being an actual shortcut but it would take away the "visual" showing it is a shortcut.

The risk from this is someone one day may delete 'a file' thinking it was a shortcut

~if that makes sense?

Regards,
Jamie

 

[Ranger4]

From the way I read it, removing the arrow does stop it being a short cut. This means that the actual database is now on the desktop & not in a directory with a short cut to it from the desktop.

Having a back up of all files is definitely the right way to go, particularly with a database as databases have a lot of setting up criteria that can cause a major problem if deleted.

What happens with a shared drive if the database was deleted on one computer, is something beyond my knowledge as I don't use a shared drive.

 

[JDobbsy1987]

From the way I read it, removing the arrow does stop it being a short cut. This means that the actual database is now on the desktop & not in a directory with a short cut to it from the desktop.

It doesn't read that way to me and it certainly doesn't stop it from being a shortcut.
The properties of the shortcut still makes it a shortcut, it just doesn't display the arrow.

Regards,
Jamie

 

[JDobbsy1987]

To be 100% sure i have just tested it using Brink's tutorial (I did 'Option One')
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3606-shortcut-arrow-change-remove-restore.html

The shortcut arrow disappeared, i deleted the 'shortcut' and checked the actual file and it's still there.

This did affect all shortcuts though which isn't what the OP is after.

Regards,
Jamie

 

[mws7497]

Thanks both. It does say that right click and properties will tell you it's a shortcut.

Am I being dumb (probably), but aren't all icons basically a shortcut?

 

[JDobbsy1987]

Am I being dumb (probably), but aren't all icons basically a shortcut?

Depends what you define as an icon, see below image (this is what makes the shortcut arrow quite an important visual)



Regards,
Jamie

 

[mws7497]

Thanks. I'll have a think about it and have a look when I go to the charity's office in the morning. I'll probably have to be a bit more creative