Can't Delete Desktop Icon

My Sister called and said she had an icon she couldn't delete. So I go over expecting something simple.

System is win XP

It's not really an icon as much as it is "nothing". It has Zero bytes

Couldn't just delete it, can't rename it.

So I try safe mode, I try dos, I try Eraser, I try Killbox, I try Moveonboot

Nothing works...........

I don't know how it got there because she doesn't know.

Any ideas?

 

There are none.

It just gives the path, which is the desktop.

Other than that, it is a file with zero bytes and zero on the disk.

You can't change anything either. You can't hide it, nothing.

The name is "Research".

My sister does a lot of research and has many files, folders, and favorites with the word "research" in it.

I was thinking it got there as a web link, or bad link to another folder but don't know.

One of the first things I did was go into the "display" in control panel but it is not a web link.

 

File Assassin says, "The file is not visible to File Assassin"

 

I use Firefox and wasn't familiar with the IE research thing.

I saw where she has an addon called research. I disabled it. Couldn't see how to uninstall it. There's nothing in "installed programs".

But the icon is still there.

But thanks for the help

 

I'd give this a try: How To Remove Unused Desktop Icons And Shortcuts

 

Already tried that. It's not listed in there.

I even selected a few and ran it hoping it would remove it even if it wasn't listed, but no.

 

Try Start>Run>type in cmd
at Prompt> CD Desktop
at Prompt> Attrib
Is it a System(S) file?

 

no

It lists it

 

No special attributes like s or h? What is the extension(last 3 letters)?

 

I believe the icon can be removed by editing windows registry. See http://www.activewin.com/tips/reg/desktop_4.shtml

 

See if the mystery folder is listed under: C:\Documents and Settings\(username)\Desktop

Refresh the desktop and see if it disappears, or reboot machine.

 

Just an a

 

What error do you get when you try to delete it? Maybe try take ownership and give yourself full control.

 

Can you go to the properties>security of that folder?
If so, what's in the Group or usernames.

(ahhhh, see sach2's message above... beat me by seconds)

 

Sir, allow me to continue the same problem with mine. The icon name is CA8DINCP, and I found it has an attributes 's' in the properties only general tab is visible and there is 0 bytes totally.

I wish you could help delete this.:confused

 

Yes Sir! I absolutely followed the suggested above instructions, and nothing happen. Then, I tried suggestion of "sach2" which I saw attribute 'S' but then he didn't elaborate further how to delete it.

 

Try Start>Run>type in cmd
at Prompt> CD Desktop
at Prompt> Attrib -S CA8DINCP
del CA8DINCP

 

Sir, I am sending you the two images attached. Delete does not prevail.

Any suggestion, coz, I don't want to start posting again new thread on the same case.

 

Are you typing the correct user folder (c:/documents and settings/fom.college/desktop) in cmd line?
Couldn't see because of the white-out, but you didn't white it out in properties screenshot.

 

Affirmative! any suggestion is very much appreciated.:confused

 

same problem. i hate vista. i really think it's a sign of the apocalypse. i would rather run windows 3.1.