Unable to remove Homegroup Icon

Anonymous
2010-04-11T18:26:47+00:00

original title: Homegroup Icon

The HOMEGROUP Icon suddenly appeared on my desktop. I can't move it. I don't want it there. Can I get rid of the icon without disturbing the HOMEGROUP file?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Accessibility

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Anonymous
2010-04-12T10:31:57+00:00

Hi Halnormank,

You may follow the link given below and follow the suggestion by ‘Dale’ to remove the folder from the registry.

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itproui/thread/366b1b5d-e177-46be-84d1-9a7864a2725b

Below are the steps from the same link for your convenience.

Important: This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following link. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Back-up-the-registry

  1. Press Win + R to open a run box.
  2. Type: regedit and hint Enter.
  3. Navigate to:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\

  1. Find a folder (key) with the name {B4FB3F98-C1EA-428d-A78A-D1F5659CBA93} , this is the registry entry Homegroup icon. Delete the folder from the registry.
  2. Press F5 to refresh the desktop and see if the icon disappears.

Hope this information is helpful.

Amrita M

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-02-20T13:23:49+00:00

    Brilliant!  No messing with Registry.  After using Windows 8 upgrade on 64 bit HP Touchsmart for 4 months it appeared out of the blue yesterday evening.  Wonder why?  Oh well, this little trick did it.  Thank you.

    Had the same problem after an update of 20 not important components.

    Can't tell witch one caused the problem.

    This worked for me win 7 - 64 bit home premium

    1. Drive to "Folder Options"
    2. Click "View"
    3. Scroll down to "Use Sharing Wizard (Recommended)" it must be checked
    4. Un-Check  the Check -box
    5. Click "Apply"......the Icon will be removed from your desktop
    6. Re-Check the Check-box .....the icon will not be back

    Have fun and try not to mess around with registry :) if you do not know exactly what are you doing

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-02-20T18:41:13+00:00

    Many thanks, quicker and safer than having to mess about in the registry.  Thing is, I nver wanted it there in the first place microsoft!

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-03-15T19:55:00+00:00

    this was the only thing that worked! thanks!

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-03-29T22:20:18+00:00

    Same problem in Windows 8.  There is not even an option in the Desktop Settings to remove the icon as there is for Computer, Network, User, etc.  Microsoft should get its act together and have a simple, consistent way of controlling the appearance of such icon.  No system icon should be allowed on the desktop unless it fits the same criteria for control as other system desktop icons.  To have an icon that requires a registry edit to get rid of is crazy.

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