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
    2013-06-23T14:49:00+00:00

    This worked for me too. Many thanks.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-06-18T18:34:56+00:00

    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

    This works, definitely stay away from registry unless you know what your doing

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-06-13T09:38:25+00:00

    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

    Thanks, belated as it is, I know this thread is over 2 years old at this reply. Just want to say this works for Windows 8 64-bit as well.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-06-02T14:55:47+00:00

    Frankly, I find this kind of 'solution' to be irritating and unnecessarily 'invasive'. It's ridiculous that I should have to mess with the registry when all you have to do is NOT PUT THE DAMN ICON ON THE DESKTOP IN THE FIRST PLACE and then not make it possible to simply DELETE IT.

    Ok, so I'm not a programmer, but honestly, after spending so much time and resources writing something as complex as an OS, it seems kind of stupid not to just go that little bit further and fix annoying things like this.

    I've just had Win 8 for a week now, and I have to say, I'm starting to have Vista disappointment flashbacks.

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