Desktop Icons

[Aljay]

I have come from XP and trying to get to grips with win7.
After installing a program and having its Icon on the desktop I then pin it to the taskbar, but cannot get rid of the associated desktop Icon. Is is possible to only have the one taskbar Icon for the program.? I presume there is some help for this elsewhere but I can't find it. Any help appreciated. Thanks.

 

[mikedl]

If you want to get rid of your desktop icon after pinning it to the taskbar, just delete it - no worries. Make certain it's a shortcut and not the actual program, however.

 

[Aljay]

If you want to get rid of your desktop icon after pinning it to the taskbar, just delete it - no worries. Make certain it's a shortcut and not the actual program, however.

Thanks. I will give a try. I have only had win7 for a few days and am still trying things.

 

[mikedl]

Have fun trying things out, Aljay, you are going to enjoy working on Windows 7.

You will also enjoy the many members that populate the Windows Seven Forums.

Welcome!

 

[Aljay]

That didn't work. I get the Icon on the desktop, but when I pin it to the taskbar, I can't get rid of the desktop Icon so end up with two Icons for the one program. I guess I will sort it eventually.

 

[mikedl]

Are you sure you are using the correct procedure?

Here is the simplest way I know of. Grab an icon (shortcut to a program) on the desktop:


Drag it to the taskbar and release it there:


That will result in a desktop icon and a pinned icon:


Right-click the desktop icon and click "delete":


That will leave you with only the pinned icon on the task bar:


Note: when you unpin the taskbar icon it will not restore the desktop icon.

 

[davehc]

That is an unusual problem. Right click and delete has always worked for me..
But possibly a more efficient way to create the taskbar shortcut, is to go into the proram files filder, find the program folder and its .exe, right click it and then selct "Pin to taskbar"
If you follow this method, then you will not have the desktop icon in your face.
This does not explain why you have the problem, unfortunately.

 

[Aljay]

Mikedl, Thanks. That should work but I must have made a "Program" Icon and when I delete the Desktop Icon it sends the Program to the Recycle Bin. Live and learn eh.? I am find this win7 a bit of a learning curve.

 

[Aljay]

That is an unusual problem. Right click and delete has always worked for me..
But possibly a more efficient way to create the taskbar shortcut, is to go into the proram files filder, find the program folder and its .exe, right click it and then selct "Pin to taskbar"
If you follow this method, then you will not have the desktop icon in your face.
This does not explain why you have the problem, unfortunately.

I have worked it out. My own stupid mistake. Cheers.