I delete a desktop item but it keeps coming back - user account

maphesto · 15 Oct 2012

Can someone help this is driving me crazy!

I received my new laptop from the administrator at work, it came with a browser and recycle bin on the desktop. I found a work around for removing the recycle bin so that is no prob. However...

When I delete the browser icon it asks for an administrator login (which I have been given) I enter this and the icon is then deleted. However the icon keeps coming back! This seems to happen when I log back on or sometimes just after a few hours. How can I stop this?

Christian Smith · 15 Oct 2012

Have a check in the public desktop icons folder. The browser shortcut could be in your user account and also the public one, and you are simply deleting it from one and not the other.

C:\Users\Public\Public Desktop

(If you cannot see the Public folder, go to Organise > Folder and Search Options > View > Show hidden files and folders.)

No guarantee, but worth a shot :)

AussieColin · 16 Oct 2012

If it's a work computer then the explanation may be that the IT people have set up a logon script that replaces the icon whenever it runs. I had a similar situation where someone decided that it would build social ties in the staff if people had a workplace footy tipping club (Aussie rules). The IT dept set it up so that the icon was added to everyone's desktop next time they logged on. The problem was that they never deleted this from the logon script so it was driving me nuts that no matter how many times I deleted the icon it kept coming back. If this is the case there's no cure except to ask the IT dept to remove it from the logon script. They may not be willing to do this if it's an icon that they want the majority of the staff to have/use.

edwar · 16 Oct 2012

And what is the reason for removing both of those icons, Shortcuts, from the Desktop???

Sorry but I don't understand your reasoning. First off without the Recycle Bin shortcut on the desktop there is no easy way to empty the Recycling bin so it would fill up over time and clog up your system and HDD space. As to the browser shortcut is this for IE or some other browser.

Talk to the IT department as they seem to be the ones that have set this up for a reason.

boohbah · 16 Oct 2012

you can add the recycle bin to the favorites list in explorer (left hand side of the window),

if you can install programs ,(maybe not as it is a work computer) then you could install stardock fences ,which hides everything on your desktop ,unless you allow it through the fence,
then you just double click the desktop to show everything or hide it all.
trouble with fences is that i used to be methodical at moving crap off my desktop now its hidden so i've become lazy .every now and then i have a clean up.