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
    2014-10-09T04:14:02+00:00

    first, i wanted to thank you vamanomaly, for the thoughtful answer, instead of just flaming me, like the previous child.

    anyhow, yes, i absolutely leave the registry alone, after a microsoft tech permanently disabled a computer years ago (by phone).

    however, the reason i revisited this post was to report that when i logged on the next day, the icon had simply disappeared on its own. i don't know if it's an issue that had been fixed or what, but i thought that some might want to wait a bit before trying any changes.

    again, thank you

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-10-08T20:46:13+00:00

    Certain things in the software environment are unpredictable. For example, I have an outside temp gadget that works fine. However after a recent update to windows itself, all of the text is a blotchy sometimes hard to read purplish color.

    Having said that, try what I did. It worked for me. Ill post the thread. It doesnt "hack" the registry, it just changes a setting and then puts it back.

    "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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  3. Anonymous
    2014-10-08T20:36:45+00:00

    I suggest you ask in an 8.1 forum instead of replying to a 4+ year old thread.

    How to begin your own, new thread and explain your issue

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/page/faq#faqAskQuestion1

    Suggestions for asking a question in help forums

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-10-08T18:53:49+00:00

    This morning this homegroup icon just appeared on my desktop when i started my computer. It has windows 8.1. I had done nothing but START the computer.

    Also, I am unable to MOVE the icon. It just makes another copy into the folder i have on desktop to hide all the other unwanted icons.

    So, i get online and discover other people have the same problem.

    So, what's your solution? Now, YOU want ME to hack my computer to fix the problem with YOUR program.

    I am not an IT person. I don't know how to "backup the registry" and i don't WANT to. 

    Here's a suggestion, Microsoft,

    Quit blaming the public and

    YOU fix it.

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