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
    2013-09-19T06:58:51+00:00

    THIS IS THE MOST SENSIBLE WAY not TO mention FOLDER VIEW is a HARD route of changing things. or there would be a pretty MENU with a colourful page setup with it.. WORKS and TESTED and doesnt screw with any Features...

    BabySnoopkins replied on

    -

    I know this post is old but I just did an update and saw the HomeGroup icon - I HATE any desktop icons. Here's how I removed it.

    Right click the HomeGroup icon and select "Change HomeGroup settings."

    Select "Change advanced settings"

    Select "Turn off network discovery"

    Select "Turn off file and printer sharing"

    Save Changes.

    This removed the icon from desktop - which was all that I cared about since I don't use the HomeGroup features!

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-09-19T06:56:08+00:00

    Good ole Microsoft Causing issues over 2 YEARS later with a icon that NO one wants with a NETWORKing connecting feature that SO intensive that no one can set up eith that works.. the Angle of ease is a pile of **** sorry but it is.. YES BabySnoopkins is the RIGHT way to do it. REGISTRY way will as said delete folders and the other way well not even going to tr. Seriouly microsoft a ISSUE from 2 YEARs ago bah i guess since XBOX 8 (windows 8) is out who cares about the NEEDS of windows 7 users.. thanks BabySnoopkins FOR that easy way of fixing a 2 year old ISSUE.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-09-14T01:30:36+00:00

    Thanks', worked fine, but had to reboot before the icon disappeared. F5 didn't work, but in the end I got the desired result. You might want to add to create a restore point before proceeding as I did, just to be on the safe side. That may be obvious to seasoned registry editors but not to amateurs that may try this.  

    Thanks' again.

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