Windows 7 - HomeGroup Desktop Icon - Add or Remove

Brink

How to Add or Remove the HomeGroup Desktop Icon in Windows 7

Information

This will show you how to add or remove the default HomeGroup desktop icon in Windows 7. This is not like a standard shortcut.

EXAMPLE: HomeGroup desktop icon

Here's How:

1. To Add the HomeGroup Desktop Icon
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Add_HomeGroup_Desktop_Icon.zip

B) Go to step 3.

2. To Remove the HomeGroup Desktop Icon
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Remove_HomeGroup_Desktop_Icon.zip

3. Click on Save, and save the .zip file to the desktop.

4. Open the .zip file and extract the .reg file to the desktop.

5. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.

6. Click on Run, Yes, and OK when prompted.

7. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply.

8. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg and .zip files on the desktop if you like.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

Lynda · 12-07-2009

I tried both of these to remove Homegroup and Libraries from my desktop. I downloaded them, ran the .reg file and all I got was a notepad with the registry entries. How do I run them?

Brink · 12-07-2009

Hello Lynda, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Your .reg file extension type is not associated to the correct program to be opened by. This is why it's not working for you. Check in Default Programs to "Change program" for the .reg file extension so that it has it's "Current Default" program as "Registry Editor" (C:\Windows\regedit.exe). Afterwards, you should be able to run the .reg files without Notepad opening instead.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Lynda · 12-08-2009

I have backed up my registry...changed the default program '.reg' to open with regedit. I have downloaded both programs to remove the icons (although they were listed as 'zipped' files, they were not zipped. However, I now have them both on my desktop. When I right click, there is no option to 'merge' and no option to 'run'...now what do I do?

Brink · 12-08-2009

Lynda,

Oh my. It seems that your ZIP file associations may not be correct either. You can download and install the ZIP option in the tutorial below to restore the default ZIP file associations. Afterwards you should be able to extract and merge the .reg files for the Homegroup and Libraries desktop icon.

Default File Type Associations - Restore

In addition, you might consider running a full scan with your antivirus and anti-malware program to be safe in case your computer may have been infected with some form of malware.

Lynda · 12-09-2009

OK..I have now restored my .reg to 'regedit' and my .zip to 'winzip'. The files do unzip and are on my desktop, however, there is no 'merge' option listed when I right click the unzipped program. I did run 'Spybot', 'Windows Defender' and 'Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool'....none of the programs found anything. So now where is that 'Merge' option?

Brink · 12-09-2009

Lynda,

Did you extract the .reg file from the ZIP file before right clicking on it, and not just open the ZIP file and right click on the .reg file? Here's the reg file itself instead of it being in a ZIP file.

Lynda · 12-09-2009

yes. I unzipped it to my desktop...right clicked it and there is no 'merge' option. I remember earlier when it was opening in notepad, it did have a 'merge' option.

Brink · 12-09-2009

Sorry Lynda, but I had to ask just to make sure. Did the .reg file I attached above have a merge option for it when you right clicked on it?

Lynda · 12-09-2009

no. It did not

Windows 7 - HomeGroup Desktop Icon - Add or Remove

HomeGroup Desktop Icon - Add or Remove

HomeGroup Desktop Icon - Add or Remove problems?