Problem with shortcut arrow

smvail · #1 (**permalink**) 09-07-2008

I have a problem with the shortcut arrow on the desktop. All of the arrow overlays on my shortcuts have been replaced with the first icon of the shell32.dll list.
Not only is this wrong (!) but the underlying icon it is obscured. I think this has to do with the registry, but I hate to mess with it on my own. Any thoughts?

Celestra · #2 (**permalink**) 09-07-2008

Well, I have some thoughts..... Microsoft recently put out a hotfix KB952585. (It says that offline file icons randomly change to different icons every time that you refresh the desktop running Vista) It's experimental..... Does any of this apply to your computer? Offline file icons randomly change to different icons every time that you refresh the desktop on a computer that is running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008

Celestra · #3 (**permalink**) 09-08-2008

Hi! Another thought, these people had problems with winking icons. They felt it was because of multiple anti virus software. The article is interesting: (never use two anti virus together which causes in stability). In that case maybe a system restore would help- after removing the offending software. Hell, maybe a virus caused the problem for that matter. A registry cleaner or Scannow may help. BleepingComputer.com > Icons On My Screen Wink Out Scan for virus or Trojan because of unusual computer behavior---

smvail · #4 (**permalink**) 09-08-2008

Thank you for the message. I looked up the support.microsoft.com/kb/952585 article, but it seems not to fit. It applies to Vista Enterprise, Ultimate, and Business, etc. I have Vista Home Premium with 32-bit OS. Also, I have no offline files, I don't think. (what is an offline file?) I will investigate the registry cleaner. Thank you.

kemical · #5 (**permalink**) 09-09-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by smvail

I have a problem with the shortcut arrow on the desktop. All of the arrow overlays on my shortcuts have been replaced with the first icon of the shell32.dll list.
Not only is this wrong (!) but the underlying icon it is obscured. I think this has to do with the registry, but I hate to mess with it on my own. Any thoughts?

This website here will show you how to rebuild the icon cache:
Quickly Rebuild Icons

smvail · #6 (**permalink**) 09-10-2008

I found a producted called Vista Shortcut Overlay Remover from Frameworkx that gives one of three choices of overlays: big arrow, small arrow and no arrow. When I try the first (big arrow), I get the same messsed up icon as before. The second option gives the correct icon with a little arrow (yea!), and the third option give the correct icon with no overlay. So I have options, which is the end result I wanted. I'm just sorry about the big arrow!

Celestra · #7 (**permalink**) 09-10-2008

Hi! I hope it keeps it this time, don't they have a tweak to remove arrows? Or was that what got you into this mess? I know there is a lot of problems with that tweak- not to be used lightly. I'm quite happy with RegCure- it also takes pictures of my registry so- I can fix it right away. I need to remove active X files and file path errors regularly. It's a media problem.. (I have a Vista Home Premium too-- never had that problem)