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Does anyone have any idea what this disembodied arrow symbol is, or why it's hanging around on my desktop? It moves to the edge of the screen when I click on the wallpaper to reveal desktop, hinding in the translucent grey border around the edge of my screen. It then pops back again when I click the desktop again. My sincere wish is that it would disappear forever. Does anyone have any ideas how to remove it?
Mac mini
Give this a try: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.
NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following;
• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed
• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)
• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically
• Disables user-installed fonts
• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files
NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.
It looks like a disclosure arrow that would cause something to "drop down" when it is clicked - like one of those apps that apps a "hidden" shelf or pocket to your desktop that you can drag items into. Have you tried clicking it?
I’ve seen buggy apps do that.
Force-quit your apps in the dock, one at a time.
Option-Click and hold on the dock icon for an app, and select Force Quit.
See if any if the quitting apps take that arrow with them.
Thank you! That's sorted it. It turns out to be something that MS Word for Mac has generated. I was leaving the app open after using it, which was why it was hanging around. Now at least I can make it disappear once I finish using Word!
Bet it's a Word plugin of some kind. I have something similar with a plugin for Antidote - but it's obvious what it is and has the usual macOS window buttons to close it, so never occurred to me that it would be something like that based on your picture.
Yes - that's what I initially thought. But it remains completely inert. I can't move it, delete it, or interact with it in any other way.
Thank you. I'll try that.
mysterious and annoying arrow symbol
