Shortcuts and non-shortcuts.

Everybody who has Windows XP knows what a desktop shortcut looks like. It
has the program icon with an arrow at the lower left corner. I've noticed
that some programs (as well as folders, briefcases, and the recycle bin)
don't have that arrow. Internet Explorer doesn't. I just added America
On-Line 9.0, and
it's icon doesn't have the arrow, and the desktop icon isn't a shortcut. Why
is that? I've noticed on my sisters computer (which has Windows XP) that she
has
desktop icons for "My Network Places" and "Control Panel" which aren't
shortcuts and don't have that shortcut arrow. My computer doesn't have those
icons. When I try to add them, they appear as shortcuts. Can I add the icons
to my desktop as NON-shortcuts?

I'm just curious. I don't have any real urgent need, but I'd like to know
what's up with this. Both my sisters desktop and my laptop are by Dell.

 

Download Tweakui for XP, install, one of the things it does, amongst many ,
is show/hide the arrow
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

 

Control Panel -> Display -> Desktop -> Customize Desktop - Desktop Icons

 

Ok, thanks. But for my technical information about Windows XP, can anyone
tell me what the
difference is between a shortcut and Non-shortcut on the Windows XP desktop?
Why would
America On-Line 9.0 be entered on my desktop as a Non-shortcut? Does the
location where
the program is stored make the difference, or is it just the way the program
is written?

 

Why would

Short answer
http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v290/familyalbum1/AOHell.jpg

 

If it is not a shortcut it might be the install program for AOL's software.

 

There is a program called Tweak UI that you can use to
change the arrow overlay. Google for XP Power Toys.
-max


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It just says "America Online" and when I click on it, it loads up AOL 9.0.

 

Yes, thanks. Scraggy gave me the URL. But in technical terms, what is the
difference between
a shortcut, and a nonshortcut that appears on the desktop? Does Tweek UI
actually change the
shortcut into a non-shortcut, or does it just change the icon? Just curious.

 

| Yes, thanks. Scraggy gave me the URL. But in technical terms, what is the
| difference between
| a shortcut, and a nonshortcut that appears on the desktop? Does Tweek UI
| actually change the
| shortcut into a non-shortcut, or does it just change the icon? Just curious.
|
|
A shortcut can be deleted- non-shortcut can not be deleted it can only be hidden.
Does Tweak UI No/Yes .

 

I believe the small arrow is called an overlay. All of those colorful
"things" on your desktop...what do you think they are?
-max

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This message is virus free as far as I can tell.
Change nomail.afraid.org to neo.rr.com so you can reply
(nomail.afraid.org has been set up specifically for
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Well, I found out exactly what the difference is between shortcuts and
non-shortcuts. Any
program that is moved into the DESKTOP directory won't have that little
arrow. I thought
it had to do with the way the program was written. Unfortunately, you can't
just move ANY
program there, becuase most of them won't be able to find their accessory
files. I tried it with
MusicMatch. For the most part, it ran ok, but I got an error message when it
started. I don't
remember exactly what it said.

 

Shortcuts are links to the programs. You can have them anywhere. The program
belongs where it was installed. You move the program, it may not work
correctly. You make a shortcut (which normally will have the arrow) it is a
"link" to the program. So MS put the little arrow there to tell you it's a
link, not the actual program. Since some of the icons on your dekstop (My
Computer, My Documents, Recycle Bin, etc.) are special icons made
specifically by MS, they chose not to put the arrow on them. And if you want
the little arrow off all the rest, you can do that too with Tweak UI.

And stop moving your program files around before you damage something ;o)