Allow or stop Windows from using Remote Paths for File Shortcut Icons

If you want to allow or stop Windows from using Remote Paths for File Shortcut Icons or .Ink files, here is how you can do that. You can turn on or off this setting with the help of the Local Group Policy Editor and Registry Editor on Windows 11 and Windows 10 computers.

Windows 11/10 allows users to create custom icons for shortcut files. These icons come with a file extension called .Ink. In case you do not know, you can create and choose custom icons for those shortcut files from local storage and a remote computer. The second option is handy for a network when the administrator wants you to use the same icon across all the networked computers. However, if you want to do the reverse due to some security concerns, this article could be handy for you.

How to stop Windows from using Remote Paths for File Shortcut Icons

To stop Windows from using remote paths for file shortcut icons via Group Policy Editor, follow these steps:

1. Search for group policy in the Taskbar search box.
2. Click on the search result.
3. Go to File Explorer in Computer Configuration.
4. Double-click on the Allow the use of remote paths in file shortcut icons setting.
5. Choose the Disabled option.
6. Click the OK button.

To learn more about these steps, continue reading.

To get started, search for group policy in the Taskbar search box and click on the individual search result to open the Local Group Policy Editor on your computer.

Once it is opened, navigate to this path:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer

Here you can find a setting called Allow the use of remote paths in file shortcut icons. You need to double-click on this setting and choose the Disabled option.

Finally, click the OK button to save the change.

How to stop Windows from using remote paths for file shortcut icons using Registry

To stop Windows from using remote paths for file shortcut icons using Registry, follow these steps:

1. Search for regedit and click the search result.
2. Click the Yes button.
3. Go to Windows in HKLM.
4. Right-click on Windows > New >Key and name it Explorer.
5. Right-click on Explorer > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
6. Set the name as EnableShellShortcutIconRemotePath.
7. Restart your PC.

Let’s find out more about these steps in detail.

First, search for regedit in the Taskbar search box, click the individual search result, and select the Yes option in the UAC prompt.

Once the Registry Editor is opened, navigate to this path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows

Right-click on the Windows key, select New > Key, and name it Explorer.

Here you need to create a REG_DWORD value. For that, right-click on the Explorer key, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and set the name as EnableShellShortcutIconRemotePath.

By default, it comes with a Value data of 0, and you need to keep that in order to prevent users from using remote paths for shortcut file icons.

That said, if you want to allow users, you can double-click on this REG_DWORD value and set the Value data as 1.

Finally, close all the Windows and restart your computer to get the change.

Read: How to create a shortcut for File History on Windows

Why do my shortcut icons keep changing?

If you have used remote paths and the administrator has enabled the setting mentioned above, there is a chance of getting this error. Therefore, you need to change the shortcut file icon on your computer to get rid of this issue. For your information, you can do that like any other file.

How do I get rid of the little arrow on shortcuts?

To get rid of the little arrow on shortcuts, you can take the help f the Ultimate Windows Tweaker. You can delete the Shortcut suffix as well as an arrow with the help of this freeware. For that, you need to open Customization > File Explore. Then, find the corresponding option and click the Remove button.

That’s all! Hope this guide helped.

Read: How to create a Desktop Shortcut in Windows 11/10.