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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  2. Anonymous
    2013-12-31T02:38:08+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

    thank you this was the real deal and it worked on windows 8 also thank you for simple instructions for this old nerd thank you

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-12-26T12:52:29+00:00

    Perfect :) Thank you!

    **

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-12-24T18:56:14+00:00

    CarolinePhelan, I tried the method in that PC Advisor article as well as renimore's.  At first the icon disappeared but both were only short-lived fixes.  Deleting the registry key (as Amrita M advised) was the only permanent fix.  It hasn't been back since.  As said, be careful and make sure you back up the key first!

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