Hide a Folder or Shortcut Icon

How to Hide a Folder or Shortcut Icon in Vista and Windows 7

information   Information
This will show you how to hide a Folder or Shortcut icon so only the text name shows.
Note   Note
For a folder or shortcut on the Desktop, this looks best with a dark background image. You will not be able to do this with a protected system folder icon. For example: C:\Windows, C:\Program Files, C\Windows\System32, etc...
warning   Warning
It is not recommened to also hide the Folder or Shortcut name text while hiding the icon. It will make it hard to see the folder or shortcut if you do. If you do, then you can press Ctrl+A to highlight everything in the window or desktop to see it.

For more about this, see: How to Hide or Show File Names in Vista and How to Hide or Show Desktop Icon Text in Vista

EXAMPLE: Folder and Shortcut Icon Before
NOTE:
The left screenshot is for any folder except protected system folders. The right screenshot is for any shortcut file or folder.
Folder_Icon_Before.jpgShortcut_Before.jpg
EXAMPLE: Folder and Shortcut Icon Hidden
NOTE:
The left screenshot is on the desktop, and the right screenshot is in Windows Explorer.
After1.jpgAfter2.jpg



OPTION ONE
To Hide or Unhide a Folder Icon

1. Right click on a folder and click on Properties.​
2. Click on the Customize tab. (See screenshot below)​
Folder.jpg

3. To Hide the Folder Icon
A) Click on the Change Icon button. (See screenshot above)​
B) Select a blank icon (white space) and click on OK to apply. (See screenshot below)​
Folder_Change.jpg

C) Click on OK to apply. (See screenshot below step 2)​
D) Go to step 5.​

4. To Restore the Default Folder Icon
A) Click on the Restore Defaults button. (See screenshot below step 3B)​

5. Repeat for any other folder icon you wish to hide.​



OPTION TWO
To Hide or Unhide a Shortcut File or Folder Icon

1. Right click on a shortcut file or folder and click on Properties.​
2. Click on the Shortcut tab. (See screenshot below)​
Shortcut.jpg

3. To Hide the Shortcut File or Folder Icon
A) Click on the Change Icon button. (See screenshot above)​
B) Select a blank icon (white space) and click on OK to apply. (See screenshot below)​
Shortcut_Change.jpg

C) Click on OK to apply. (See screenshot below step 2)​
D) Go to step 5.​

4. To Restore the Default Folder Icon
A) Repeat step 3 and select the icon you had before.​
NOTE: You may need to Browse to the .exe file for a file shortcut to select and restore it's icon.​

5. Repeat for any other shortcut file or folder icon you wish to hide.​
6. You may also wish to remove or restore the shortcut arrow overlay on the icon as well.​
That's it,
Shawn






 

Attachments

  • Folder_Options.png
    Folder_Options.png
    36.1 KB · Views: 317
Last edited by a moderator:
Sorry if I post this in the wrong tutorial section or wrong forum. I have a question...
When I right click on the desktop>New> a bunch of other system files and documents pops up in the context menu besides the usual ones such as Folder, Compressed (zipped) Folder, Briefcase, etc...
Please help me to delete them.

Thanks.
 

My Computer

Hi Bennys,

Item can get added to the New context menu sometimes when you install programs that add to it. It involves editing the registry so I would not do this if you are not comfortable in the registry.

If you wish to pursue it, then this tutorial will show you how to. You will need to know the file extensions of the items listed in the New menu you want removed. Post a screenshot of the New menu items, and I will see what I can do to help make it easier for you.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/112102-new-menu-context-file.html


Hope this helps,
Shawn
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
Back
Top