some of my desktop icons have little arrows on them. what is wrong with them and how do i fix it?

To Change the Icon: Open the key [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Explorer\Shell Icons] and create a new string value, or modify the existing value, called '29'. Set it to equal the filename, including path, for the icon you want to use for the shortcut arrow. By setting this to a blank icon it has a similar effect to the removal method above, without the side effects. Restart Windows for the changes to take effect. Note: This tweak effectively changes the properties of shortcuts so they are no longer considered to be shortcuts by Windows, this may have some slight side effects, such as hot keys not working as before. For example, the setting may look like: (Default) (value not set) 29 "c:\windows\system\shell32.dll,21" leaving your icons alone as it is won't do any harm.

Those little arrows are how Windows depicts shortcuts (ie Pointers to programs). The ones without the arrows on your desktop are actual files or programs and most likely shouldn't be there as they suck up memory/resources. Take the ones that are on the desktop without the arrows and put them in a directory on your hard drive. Optimally you should only have the following on the desktop. "My Computer", "Network Neighborhood" "Recycle Bin" and maybe a couple of shortcuts of programs you use the most. HopeThisHelps, -me-

No offense dude but if you dont no why the arrows are there disreguard the first response about the registry, you have no buissness there. However for others reading this there an easier way to get rid of the arrows (and if its really bothering you). Run regedit...start...run ...regedit. hkey classesroot...goto lnkfile and delete the "IsShortcut" key...then got piffile which is dos shortcut and do the same. However I dont recomend even stepping foot in the registry for a while for you dude. God luck.

download tweak ui and under the repair section there is an easy way to remove the arrows from those icons.Tweak can be found at downloads.com.Installs to control panel.