Deleting a desktop shortcut

  • Thread starter Thread starter FireDog
  • Start date Start date
F

FireDog

How do I delete a desktop icon. Windows says that it can not find the file
and will not delete it. I removed the program the way I should but it left
the shortcut on the desktop and will not let me delete or move it. I've tried
to change the properties , added sharing, and everything I can think of to
remove the shortcut with no luck.
 
FireDog said:
How do I delete a desktop icon. Windows says that it can not find the file
and will not delete it. I removed the program the way I should but it left
the shortcut on the desktop and will not let me delete or move it. I've
tried
to change the properties , added sharing, and everything I can think of to
remove the shortcut with no luck.
Click to expand...

On the desktop, hit F5, or right-click it and select refresh.

Charlie42
 
Hi Charlie, I have had the same problem however F5 does not work and if I
right click on the icon I only get the option to open or explore which
neither will open anyway ... any other ideas?
 
dino said:
Hi Charlie, I have had the same problem however F5 does not work and
if I right click on the icon I only get the option to open or explore
which
neither will open anyway
Click to expand...

Did you right-click on the desktop surface? That should pop up the context
menu with the Update choice.
... any other ideas?
Click to expand...

Try to reboot if this does not work, I have seen that take care of this
problem before. Please, report back if neither of these remedies work.

Charlie42
 
Yes, I tried the right click in desktop I only get the update or refresh
choice neither work. I have done numerous restarts since the problem occured
and also tried reinstalling the program (Belkin Bluetooth which apparently is
not compatible .. it is an old version). I have seen a few answers saying to
reboot in safe mode however I am unsure on how to do this.
 
Press F8 during startup after your BIOS screen and before the Vista loading
screen.

This will bring up a menu that will allow you to select safe mode.
 
Shane Nokes said:
Press F8 during startup after your BIOS screen and before the Vista
loading screen.
Click to expand...

And check out this icon's properties. If it is read only, you have to make
it writeable before deletion. This may require administrator privileges.
Remember, the desktop icons (which are files really) can also be accessed in
the %UserProfile%\Desktop folder.

Charlie42
 
Thanks Charlie, tried safe mode, all this did was change the type of icon. I
still only get the 'open, explore and create icon options, if I create an
icon it lets me delete that one just not the original. How do I get into user
profile, i tried to do a search for the profile but it stated it could not
find one.... starting to get really frustrated and all over a little icon I
should just ignore :-)
 
dino said:
Thanks Charlie, tried safe mode, all this did was change the type of icon.
I
still only get the 'open, explore and create icon options, if I create an
icon it lets me delete that one just not the original. How do I get into
user
profile, i tried to do a search for the profile but it stated it could not
find one....
Click to expand...

Assuming your system drive is C, you should be able to find the icon file
in:

C:\Users\<yourusername>\Desktop

Make sure the file is not write protected before you attempt to delete it.
Check the file properties.

Charlie42
 
:
I checked out the desktop folder to do as below however the icon/program
does not show in this folder it only shows the programs that are working
(such as email, internet shortcuts)
 
dino said:
I checked out the desktop folder to do as below however the
icon/program does not show in this folder it only shows the programs that
are working (such as email, internet shortcuts)
Click to expand...

Let me get this straight: you see an orphaned shortcut icon on your desktop,
but it is not present in any of these two folders?

C:\Users\<yourusername>\Desktop
C:\Users\Public\Desktop

What is the name and file extension of the icon? (Check its properties.)

Charlie42
 
Yes that is correct the users/desktop folder does not show the icon, the user
public folder doesn't come up with a desktop folder. right clicking on the
icon doesn't give me the option of properties, only open, explore or Create
shortcut, when I create another shortcut the new shortcut then lets me acces
properties, the first time I tried it came up with "Could not find this item
.... this item no longer located in C:\Users\acer owner\desktop. Verify the
items location and try again." from then on hitting properties of this
duplicate shortcut took me to the desktop folder (second icon shows up in
there just not the original.
 
dino said:
Yes that is correct the users/desktop folder does not show the icon, the
user public folder doesn't come up with a desktop folder. right clicking
on
the icon doesn't give me the option of properties, only open, explore or
Create shortcut, when I create another shortcut the new shortcut then lets
me acces properties, the first time I tried it came up with "Could not
find
this item ... this item no longer located in C:\Users\acer owner\desktop.
Verify the items location and try again." from then on hitting properties
of
this duplicate shortcut took me to the desktop folder (second icon shows
up in there just not the original.
Click to expand...

I am beginning to get stymied here. My next suggestion is to use a
diagnostic/repair tool: System File Checker, check your system drive for
errors or resort to a repair install. However, I am not entirely sure this
will help either. Also make sure your system files are set to be hidden.

Consider top posting your next reply for better exposure.

Hide system files:
Open Windows Explorer. In Tools > Folder Options > View tab, make sure the
"Hide system files" option is ticked.

Check your hard drive for errors:
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/bc1393cf-9f9c-79c7-0f91-9337c2c41f811033.mspx

Run System File Checker:
Go to All Programs > Accessories. Right-click the command prompt and select
"Run as Administrator". At the prompt, type "sfc /scannow" (without the
quotes). Keep your WinVista installation media close, SFC may need to
reinstall files from it.

Startup Repair:
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/5c59f8c1-b0d1-4f1a-af55-74f3922f3f351033.mspx

Charlie42
 
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