.png "Shortcut or file?")
There are many icons on the desktop. How do you see which are a program or file and which refer to a program or file?
Recognize what’s on the Desktop
The difference between a file or a shortcut (reference, link) to a file is easy to see. Is there an arrow in the left corner of the icon 
? Then the image is a shortcut to a program or file that is stored elsewhere on the computer. If you delete the shortcut, the associated file or program will remain on the PC.
This is different with icons where there is no arrow at the bottom left. Those are files or programs that are only stored on the Desktop. Think of the Recycle Bin. So you can’t throw those pictures away.
Once you realize that you have to watch out for the arrow, you will never be mistaken again.