Overlay icons in Windows 11/10
Here is a list of some icon overlays that come with Windows 11/10/8/7:
Small arrow: This is the shortcut overlay.Lock icon: A lock indicates a private item in a non-private directory. It could be a file or folder with special permissions.Downward pointing blue arrow: This means that the file is still to be written to a CD.A pair of green swirly arrows: This indicates that the item is available offline.Gray X: The file has been archived to a Tape.Shield: This means that the program requires elevation to run and that a UAC prompt may appear.2 arrows: Two small blue arrows on the top right corner of the icon indicate a compressed file or folder.Red x: Contents not syncing.
The Sharing Hand is no longer present as an overlay and has been removed in favor of the private overlay. The reason? The Offline files swirly arrow too has been removed as, based on customer feedback, it was considered as “unnecessarily noisy” Now they are shown only on the root of the folder that is pinned. Says Microsoft, This means that if more than 2 overlay icons want to be seen, then only one will be seen. Whichever software is installed last, is likely to get the overlay icon space. The following registry key will show you all currently installed overlay handlers, on your Windows computer, says Microsoft: There appears to be no change in Windows 10, and it does appear that Microsoft wants people to move away from overlay icons. Have you come across any more overlay icons or have any additional information on them? Please do share! UPDATE 26th May 2016: It is my policy to always link to sources. Certain ‘inappropriate’ comments have been made using my name ‘Anand Khanse’ elsewhere. I wish to state that they have not been made by me but by someone else. I repeat, this post HAS been sourced from Microsoft – like most of the content on this site – and I have confirmation from Microsoft that this post can stay. Thank you, Peter, for bringing certain issues relating to this post to my notice.
