Since very early versions, Windows puts annoying arrows to desktop icons to distinguish shortcuts (links) from files (actual executables).
No one really keeps .exe’s on their desktop except for very inexperienced users, so having the arrow obscuring a good deal of the icon is just stupid.
Here’s how to remove it.
Download this and unzip it. Move the blank.ico file to your root Windows 7 folder, which is usually C:\Windows. Make sure that .ico is associated with a viewer by clicking on the file.
Then run one of the .reg files included, appropriate for your Windows type (32 or 64).
Please note that you need administrator permissions for all of the above mentioned operations.
Reboot and your done.