Deleting shortcut from desktop ???

[helpme]

Windows 98 2nd edition here

I'm no longer even sure how I ended up doing this but I somehow have managed to end up with a shortcut on my desktop that says "INF".

When I click on it I end up in a folder named, C:\WINDOWS\Desktop\INF

Inside this folder is hundreds of files. Here is a small sampling...
Catalog
Infback
Other
Qfe
1394.inf
3cpcicvm.inf
3cpcicvm.PNF
815.pnf

ect., ect, ect. ad nauseum

I have absolutely no idea what these files are or what use they might be. The least I would like to do is get rid of the shortcut that I have accidentally created. When I right click on the shortcut I end up with an option to delete but then it asks if I'm sure I want to send this shortcut and ALL IT'S CONTENTS to the recycle bin. Well, since I have no idea what these files are, and there are hundreds of them, I'm not sure I want to send them all the the trash.

So, anybody have any idea what these files are and whether or not they are expendable?

If I shouldn't get rid of them, how do I get rid of the shortcut without deleting ALL THE CONTENTS?

[Cricket]

Hi helpme,

There is a hidden Windows folder called INF that contains some important system files. Make sure that the icon is only a shortcut to that folder and not the folder itself on the desktop. Does it have the small shortcut arrow on it? If it does, you can safely delete it. You can also right click on the INF icon and choose Properties, it should indicate if it's a shortcut or not. If it doesn't, you may have somehow put the actual INF folder on the desktop. Check in Windows Explorer and see if the INF folder is still in the Windows directory (you'll have to change the folder options to "show all files" so you can see the INF folder). If it's not in the Windows directory, you'll have to carefully drag it back.

Cricket

[TwoRails]

HI helpme,

Welcome to PC Mechanic !!

First, the Inf directory should be under the Windows directory, Not the Desktop directory. The files located there are system and program setup information. It's best to keep these; Windows considers this a System directory.

Deleting the Shortcut should Not remove these files. It's just like deleting a shortcut to a program, Windows threatens to remove the program, but doesn't.

However, since the Inf directory is in the wrong place, there may (or may not) be other problems. A simple cure is to Copy the directory to a safe location, delete the shortcut, then verify that in the files and the Inf directory are still there as they should be. If not, just copy the files you saved to the original spot and you'll be fine.

Don't forget, when your done, to delete all those saved files.

HTH

TwoRails

[helpme]

Thanks Cricket and TwoRails.

Cricket,
The desktop icon DOES NOT have the little arrow next to it like the rest of the icons do, so maybe it's the actual folder on the desktop?
When I go into windows explorer and completely collapse all of the folders, it looks like this...........
Desktop
+ My Computer
+ My Documents
+ Network
Recycle Bin
+ Inf

So, could one or both of you please lead me by the hand and take me baby step by baby step on exactly how to get this off the desktop and back where it belongs. I know you tried TwoRails but I'm not real great with this stuff and need to have all of the very detailed small steps in this process. Thanks for any more help.

[Cricket]

Hi helpme,

You'll have to go into Windows Explorer (make sure you can see the hidden file and folders) and click on the Windows directory to expand it. The INF folder is supposed to be in this directory...if it's not, drag the INF folder into the Windows directory.

If the INF folder is there, open it up and check how many objects are inside. Then do the same for the other INF folder. If they both have the same amount of objects, the second one is just a copy of the one in the Windows directory and can be deleted.

Good luck.

Cricket

[helpme]

Done deal ! Thanks Cricket.