Windows 7: Self Generating Desktop Icons

Hi Everyone,

A little while ago I was working with a 60day trial of Microsoft Office, and also had the calculator program open.

I was preforming calculations, and copying, and pasting them into the word portion of the Office program.
When I finished what I was doing I closed both programs.

It was then, that I noticed two grayed-out Icons on my desktop both named desktop - Notepad.
Properties list them both as hidden files.

When I opened them one pertained to the 60day trial, and the other to calculator.

They start with:

[.ShellClassInfo]
LocalizedResourceName=@%SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,-21799
[LocalizedFileNames]
Microsoft Office - 60 Day Trial.lnk=@C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~3\mui\oaa.dll,-103
Gateway Registration.lnk=@C:\Program Files (x86)\Gateway\Registration\GlobalRegistrationMUI.dll,-103

[.ShellClassInfo]
LocalizedResourceName=@%SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,-21769
IconResource=%SystemRoot%\system32\imageres.dll,-183
[LocalizedFileNames]
Calculator.lnk=@%SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,-22019

I thought I could just delete them, but when I try to a dialog box appears warning me that if I do neither program will work properly.

I am not that concerned about the Office program because I plan on un-installing it, but I do not want to disturb the calculator program.

Would placing them back in the "SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll" Folder make things worse than they are or is there a better solution?


Anak

Are these shortcuts, or actual .exe files?

You might check the file locations to see if their respective .exes are there.

~Lordbob

Thank you for the reply ~Lordbob

The Icons have no curved arrow in the lower left corner, just what looks like a mechanical gear. So I would think they are the actual files.

As you can see by the attachment their Folder path is the desktop, that's why I asked if I could just replace them back into the C:\system32\shell32.dll" Folder.

Anak

Welcome

A guess tell me, this will solve your problem

Hidden Files and Folders - Show or Hide

have you got Protected Operating system files shown? thats the only reason they should show up

Thank you richc46

You know, I looked in tutorials, but didn't see that. I'll give that link a look.....


Hi severedsolo,

Where do I go to check if they are supposed to show, would it tell me in the tutorial?

I don't recall changing any settings that would pertain to that.



Listen fellows, I'll check back in a few minutes, but I have to get going and I might not get back for a few hours.

Anak

You take your time. If we are not here the forum has many members who will be willing to help.

sorry Anak rich kind of beat me to it, yes everything you need to know is in the tutorial that rich linked, on my machine desktop.ini only appears if the protected operating system files are shown, the tutorial that rich linked to will show you how to hide them again

Thanks again guys, being retired I have more control of my life, but it sure hasn't slowed down.......

Those two files are supposed to be in your root directory. Do not move them. You have your system set to show operating system files.