Remove the grey pins from Quick Access in Windows 10

Question

How to remove the grey pin icons from Quick Access in File Explorer in Windows 10?

• So that they are transparent or turned off.
• Use of registry, hack or any means welcome, the simpler the better, prefer not to use a program if possible.
• Means of reverting.
• The only purpose is to decluter the user interface.
• Windows 10 Pro Version 1803

Research:

• The icon is located in: C:\Windows\System32\imageres.dll
• Similar SU post here for Quick Access icon change via registry

• Following on from that, searched through the registry for imageres.dll,-5100

  HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CommandStore\shell\Windows.PinToHome
  HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CommandStore\shell\Windows.PinToHome
  
  Explorer Handler {70438d09-456a-4a6f-86fe-1c1a3afc699e}
  Icon %SystemRoot%\System32\imageres.dll,-5100
  

• Have tried editing the icon location as Trusted Installer using PowerRun_x64.exe, to change it to a new transparent icon, such as with .reg file:

  Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
  
  [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\CommandStore\shell\Windows.PinToHome]
  "Icon"="C:\\Settings\\Icons\\blank.ico"
  

• though no change occurred in file explorer.

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PowerRun is a portable freeware to launch regedit.exe , Cmd.exe or other software with the same privileges as the TrustedInstaller / Nt Authority/ System.

Answer 1

The current hack found here uses a free program called CustomizerGod.
Program information at bottom of post.

1. Download and Extract. Can check for viruses by uploading the exe to virustotal.com (Note: PsExec in this program)
2. Run CustomizerGod.exe as Administrator
3. Click on the General Icons Tab
4. Half way down the page there is two grey pins.
5. Select the one on the left ID#5100

7. Locate a blank icon. Create one (such as with free portable IcoFX v1) or download an icon here if you can't be bothered.

8. Now select the blank icon.

9. Done. Now it is changed.

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To Revert, reopen program:

1. Run CustomizerGod.exe as Administrator
2. Click on the General Icons Tab
3. Select restore

If this does not work then the program can use SFC to update it:

1. Click the three lines in the bottom right corner

2. Select Current File, Yes, Done (reboot to finish).

• Source: How to Edit Grey Pinned Icons Windows 10 Hack

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Programs:

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• CustomizerGod

  "CustomizerGod is the ultimate tool for customizing Windows. It lets you customize almost any part of Windows according to your taste. Like if you want the start button to look different, you can use CustomizerGod to change it from the Windows logo to something fun like a candy or a minion's face." See website here.

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• IcoFX Portable

  IcoFX is an award winning freeware icon editor. It is an all-in-one solution for icon creation, extraction and editing. IcoFX has support for PNG compression icons for Windows Vista and later, MacOS iconx, conversion between Windows and Mac icons, icon libraries, website favicons, adding/changing/deleting icons in EXE files, alpha transparency, effects, 256x256 icons, true color + alpha, icon extraction from DLLs and EXEs, import and export of images, and more. See IconFX Portable Apps page here.