Green Tick or Blue Arrows Icon Overlay Displayed for Files and Folders

overlay icon handlers shellexview

If you’re wondering why Explorer shows certain files or folders with some icon sign in the corners, such as a white tick mark in a green box, or chevron in a blue box, or any other symbol such as a white tick in round green background regardless of the file type, then you’ll find this post helpful.

These are known as icon overlays, added by programs to provide additional information about the files or folders marked with the overlay symbol. For example, a backup program that you use may place an icon overlay for files and folders that are backed up, and a different symbol for files that aren’t included in the backup.Read more

How to Start Internet Explorer in InPrivate Browsing Mode by Default

Summary: This post tells you how to start Internet Explorer in InPrivate mode by default, using a shortcut or double-clicking a .url or .htm file. Instructions apply to all versions of Windows, up to Windows 10 as of the last revision of this post.

InPrivate Browsing mode in Internet Explorer enables you to surf the web without leaving a trace in the computer, as the cache is erased automatically when the “InPrivate Browsing” window is closed.Read more

Cannot Access “Folder Options” in Windows

The NoFolderOptions registry setting hides the Folder Options applet from the Control Panel and the Folder Options command under the Tools menu in Explorer. In Windows 10, this policy disables all the Folder Options entry points—e.g., “Change folder and search options” will be grayed out in the File menu in Explorer.

In earlier versions of Windows, if you enable this policy setting, users will receive an error message if they tap or click the Options button or choose the Change folder and search options command, and they will not be able to open Folder Options.Read more

Determine the Target Path of Windows Installer Shortcuts

When you right-click on a Windows Installer shortcut and choose Properties, the Target field does not show the path to the executable. This is because Windows Installer shortcuts work differently. When you double-click a Windows Installer shortcut, Windows reads the Product code, Component code, and other details stored in the Shortcut to determine the executable file location.Read more