Uninstall steam, 50% of desktop filkes and icons disappear


  1. Posts : 237
    windows 7 professional
       #1

    Uninstall steam, 50% of desktop files and icons disappear


    Anyone know what is causing this? I thought maybe someone else who's uninstalled steam may have been thru it. And no, the icons and files didn't just go off the screen. I have an app that saves my desktop icon positions and after it happens i can use that nor use auto arrange and still 1/2 my files and shortcuts on the desktop are gone. I used system restore to get it all back and tried it a few times since, always making a new restore point to be safe and every time the same thing happens. Oh, and the shortcuts and files that diasappear are NOT game files and icons only. They are everything from pics i took with a camera to shortcuts to apps that have nothing to do with gaming.
    Last edited by iknowjohnny; 08 Sep 2015 at 18:55.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 10,485
    W7 Pro SP1 64bit
       #2

    How odd.

    If no one posts a better idea, you can use Process Monitor to see what part of the uninstall process removes those items... but let's save that as a last resort. It really does not solve the problem, it just lets you see if the uninstall process is doing other weird stuff too.

    As a work around to the issue, copy all of the desktop items to thumb drive and keep them safe from the uninstall process. Be sure to copy the items from the public desktop as well as items from your person desktop. After the uninstall process completes, copy the desired items back on your desktop and arrange them with your app.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 5,656
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #3

    Did you actually check Desktop with Explorer for the missing files/icons? Maybe it is a glitch.
    Did you try searching for them after the uninstall?

    If they are actually disappearing, I wonder if any other files somewhere else are disappearing as well.

    Are you using Fences by any chance or some other app for icon management?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 237
    windows 7 professional
    Thread Starter
       #4

    GokAy said:
    Did you actually check Desktop with Explorer for the missing files/icons? Maybe it is a glitch.
    Did you try searching for them after the uninstall?
    No, because.....

    If they are actually disappearing, I wonder if any other files somewhere else are disappearing as well.
    .....of this. Even if i found them elsewhere i don't know if other files in other folders are going missing so till i can make it stop doing this no sense in even looking.

    Are you using Fences by any chance or some other app for icon management?
    I am using a desktop arranger, but i've been using it for years and it's not active unless i call on it. in other words, not a running process.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 237
    windows 7 professional
    Thread Starter
       #5

    UsernameIssues said:
    How odd.

    If no one posts a better idea, you can use Process Monitor to see what part of the uninstall process removes those items... but let's save that as a last resort. It really does not solve the problem, it just lets you see if the uninstall process is doing other weird stuff too.

    As a work around to the issue, copy all of the desktop items to thumb drive and keep them safe from the uninstall process. Be sure to copy the items from the public desktop as well as items from your person desktop. After the uninstall process completes, copy the desired items back on your desktop and arrange them with your app.
    As i replied above, the problem is i don't know what else is being deleted. So saving desktop files and shortcuts may not be the fix. I will try the process monitor if i try this again.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 5,656
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #6

    Perhaps scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware free (accept free premium trial offer and enable rootkit scanning too, settings - detections) if you haven't already.

    Also SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 237
    windows 7 professional
    Thread Starter
       #7

    tried malwarebytes.It found some thing that i removed, but then i created another restore pint then uninstalled steam with the same results. No joy. I'm thinking of just removing it manually by deleting all instances of steam in a file search and in program files, registry, etc. I always hated steam and now thats a huge understatement.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 237
    windows 7 professional
    Thread Starter
       #8

    I got it done. I did a new install of steam figuring it might be damaged. Then did an uninstall and it worked with no issues.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 2
    windows 7 32 bit
       #9

    iknowjohnny said:
    Anyone know what is causing this? I thought maybe someone else who's uninstalled steam may have been thru it. And no, the icons and files didn't just go off the screen. I have an app that saves my desktop icon positions and after it happens i can use that nor use auto arrange and still 1/2 my files and shortcuts on the desktop are gone. I used system restore to get it all back and tried it a few times since, always making a new restore point to be safe and every time the same thing happens. Oh, and the shortcuts and files that diasappear are NOT game files and icons only. They are everything from pics i took with a camera to shortcuts to apps that have nothing to do with gaming.
    hi

    yes the exact same thing has happened to me un installed steam and its removed 80% of my desktop icons / shortcuts and most of them are nothing to do with steam or games ...



    what is going on

    any idea's anyone
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 10,485
    W7 Pro SP1 64bit
       #10

    outlabin said:
    what is going on

    any idea's anyone
    An error in the uninstaller or a programmer that intentionally decided to remove stuff just to annoy users that opt to uninstall. It sounds like items from the public desktop are being removed.
      My Computer


 

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