Unable to remove Homegroup Icon

Anonymous

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?

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Anonymous

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

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

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

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.
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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209 additional answers

Anonymous

2014-09-11T17:07:41+00:00

For the benefit of anyone who missed it I'll repeat again... DO NOT USE THE REGISTRY EDIT!

I'm on Windows 8.1 and I myself edited the registry as suggested by Amrita M. After that I wasn't able to change my Account Picture. It had me puzzled for some time until I came across something that clued me in here:

http://www.troubleshootwindows.com/windows-8/fix-unable-to-change-lock-screen-picture-stuck-user-account-picture-in-windows-8/

I restored a backup of the registry key and it was only then that I was able to change the picture.

So folks, even if this advice is coming from a Microsoft employee it is wrong. Luckily it didn't do more damage.

You can try the solution proposed by renimore instead. If the Homegroup icon returns again (and it will) just use renimore's procedure again.
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Anonymous

2014-09-10T20:47:14+00:00

this worked well.. f5 didnt work for refreshing but if you right click the desktop it will also bring up a menu that includes the refresh option. not sure whats wrong with my f5 key
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Anonymous

2014-09-09T22:42:00+00:00

Quick question, why did it happen in the first place?

BTW, thanks for your tip!-Ern.
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Anonymous

2014-09-05T20:25:19+00:00

It keeps coming back, I've tried everything here to no avail. I can't leave the homegroup. When I click show password nothing happens. I don't ever remember setting up a homegroup. Home group thinks I am sharing printers, when I uncheck Share printers and save changes, I am back to sharing printers on the next re boot. I don't mind editing the registry if someone can tell me what to do to get rid if Homegroup.

I believe that anything that I cannot remove is SPAM AND ABUSE I have been trying to remove homegroup too and can't. This is an abuse of MY computer and should be blocked.
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