Getting rid of Icons

[redvette]

Hi all

Well another of those really odd problems.

I have like four Icons that I cannot get rid of. This is with my win 7.

I have tried several ways of getting rid of them CCleaner, Windows uninstaller, etc.

I installed Safari a few days ago thinking I might change from using IE, pinned the icon in my task bar, and I installed a program through Cnet thinking it might be handy and after a few days decided to get rid of it and Safari. Now comes the problem, every time I think I am rid of them after I start up or reboot the computer there they are and I always empty the recycle bin.

I have run a couple of malware programs they don't find any bugs. And I don' know if this is connected or not but it started happening around the same time my Outlook mail 2010 keeps bringing back mail that I have deleted. There again I can delete them empty the trash and go out of it and reopen it and there they are again, like magic.

Any ideas.?

Thanx ...Gunny

[redvette]

Hi All

What is going on with PC mech. I have posted 2 diff questions and not one reply to either one.

Where are all of the smart people on here.? I can't believe this.

Boy Dave you better build a fire underneath some of these people. I think there was 22 people that last I checked that looked at this post, and not one idea. WOW

Thanx....Gunny

[EzyStvy]

While you're waiting -> Google: Can't delete icons

[Iamjosh]

What are the actual icons? Sorry but your initial post is rather ambiguous.
When and how did you acquire these icons?

You had tried deleting the icons but on a system reboot the icons are replaced?

A bit more specific info would help.

[redvette]

EZY...I don't really understand your coment. If you mean that if I try to Google this for answer, I won't find it.?

Iamjosh....The actual Icons are like what I said from Safari, and one is a program I got from Cnet to try. A total of 4 Icons, a read me, setup and the actual Icon for the program, then the Safari Icon.

I did not think it was important to say what the actual Icons were, because this can happen with any Icons I thought. I have read posts on this very thing a long time ago and it was stated they had Icons that would not delete.

Ok so know you know what the Icons are, and I down loaded these programs from the Internet, no disk. And yes I have tried many many diff ways to get rid of them, with no luck. And you are right they are gone until I reboot, then they come back just like I did nothing to get rid of them.


So if there is more info needed just tell me.

Take care....Gunny

[David M]

You have not stated if you have tried the usual way first, by right clicking on the desktop shortcut icon and then selecting Delete. Just checking.

If they keep coming back then delete the software that created them. When you reload the software, select advanced setup. Chances are you will get the choice of whether or not to have a desktop shortcut.

Which software are these desktop shortcuts for?

[MikeMoss]

I assume that you don't have a restore point before you installed the software?

This might help...

http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/ho...windows-vista/

[redvette]

Originally Posted by David M You have not stated if you have tried the usual way first, by right clicking on the desktop shortcut icon and then selecting Delete. Just checking. If they keep coming back then delete the software that created them. When you reload the software, select advanced setup. Chances are you will get the choice of whether or not to have a desktop shortcut. Which software are these desktop shortcuts for?

David M... Ya I have tried that way several times. And like I said they are not empty Icons, the program is still there, both with the Safari and the other program called, Phantom Armor, along with its Read me file and setup file. After numerous attempts at getting rid of them I was amazed the program was still there. I thought they were just empty Icons. If I do what you suggest then I will not have the Icon but will still have the programs. ???

Thanx....Gunny

[redvette]

Originally Posted by MikeMoss I assume that you don't have a restore point before you installed the software? This might help... How to Rebuild the Icon Cache in Windows Vista and Windows 7 - The Winhelponline Blog

Hi Mike

Ya when I do those malware checks they bring my restore points right up to date, so I have nothing to go back to.That was a good idea and I have used the restore several times to get rid of problems. I will click on your idea there and see what I can do there. I will let you know if it brings me closer to solving this.

Thanx....Gunny

[redvette]

Hi all

Now when I go into the task manager, I see 4 explorer.exe, should I end process on all 4 of them.??? Or is there one in particular I should do.?

Thanx....Gunny

[David M]

The only thing I can think of is to download some freeware designed to rid your computer of software that will not erase itself. Be careful in doing this because it can leave your registry fragmented with old files or create bugs. I don't have any specific recommendations. Perhaps others will.

[redvette]

Originally Posted by David M The only thing I can think of is to download some freeware designed to rid your computer of software that will not erase itself. Be careful in doing this because it can leave your registry fragmented with old files or create bugs. I don't have any specific recommendations. Perhaps others will.

Hi David

I have used Revo and CCleaner, if that is what you are talking about.? They don't state they will get rid of software that won't go away though, are there programs that deal with hard to remove software.?

Revo does go into the registry and remove left overs. I don't know if CCleaner does or not. I have run both of them several times, no luck there. I will Google "hard to remove software" see what I come up with.

Thanx...Gunny

[EzyStvy]

MoveOnBoot allows you to copy, moves or delete files on the next system boot. This comes in very handy, if you need to replace or delete files which are locked by other applications, loaded into memory or cannot be changed until next system boot.
Download MoveOnBoot 1.95 Free - Allows you to copy, moves or delete files on the next system boot - Softpedia

[David M]

Originally Posted by redvette Hi David I have used Revo and CCleaner, if that is what you are talking about.? Thanx...Gunny

No, those applications are different. They will not rid your computer of applications that will not go away.

[redvette]

Hi David

Ok them should I just Google "hard to remove software" and see what I can come up with.? One thing I said, I have the Safari Icon in the bottom Taskbar, when I do a Windows uninstall, the original Safari Icon goes away and leaves like a blank sheet of paper in its place. Does that tell you anything.?

Thanx....Gunny

[David M]

Try a System Restore first, if you don't have to go too far back in time to where you will be affecting a bunch of other things.

If your System Restore points are wiped, then you probably have some sort of malware doing this to you.

[Nuclear Krusader]

Have you tried uninstalling the applications? In the control panel?

Deleting the icons doesn't uninstall the program that creates them. Even Windows tells you so when you drag an application's icon to the Recycle Bin.

_________

NVM, it looks like you've tried this already. I wondered because Safari shouldn't be difficult to remove.

[David M]

Hah... I think you nailed it Nuclear. I think sometimes we forget to start at the very basics when trying to resolve a problem.

[redvette]

Originally Posted by David M Hah... I think you nailed it Nuclear. I think sometimes we forget to start at the very basics when trying to resolve a problem.

Hi David & Nuc

I have done this so many times it is not even funny. I know just removing the Icons does not take the programs away. Sorry to blow a hole in your idea there. I have done so many diff ways to get rid of them I have lost count.

Thanx....Gunny

[Nuclear Krusader]

Reinstall Safari. Then uninstall it through Programs in the Control Panel.

Can't do anything anent the other ones, as I don't know them. But Safari, being full-supported SW should be the one to use for diagnostics. What we need to find here is why these programs are not uninstalling.

You may also try installing another program and then uninstalling it via its own uninstaller or through the Control Panel. I want to know if Windows' uninstall routines are messed up.

For the record, the registry repair options in CCleaner and any other programs are very limited. They don't truly fix your registry. CCleaner just scans for orphaned items and the like, but don't expect it to actually fix all problems. The only way to fix the registry is manually.

[redvette]

Originally Posted by Nuclear Krusader Reinstall Safari. Then uninstall it through Programs in the Control Panel. Can't do anything anent the other ones, as I don't know them. But Safari, being full-supported SW should be the one to use for diagnostics. What we need to find here is why these programs are not uninstalling. You may also try installing another program and then uninstalling it via its own uninstaller or through the Control Panel. I want to know if Windows' uninstall routines are messed up.

Hi Nuc

If I click on the Safari Icon in the task bar the program is still there, and I just did what you are suggesting, and I bet as soon as I reboot they will be back. I have also done what you are saying and uninstalled other programs just to see, and they uinstall and stay that way, when I reboot, they are gone.

I am not really concerned about the other program either, I figure if the problem is solved and we get rid of Safari they other program will go too.

How do we find out if the Windows uninstall routines are messed up.?

Thanx....Gunny

[Nuclear Krusader]

Have you tried trying to uninstall them in Safe Mode?

If all other programs uninstall normally, then Windows uninstall routines are fine; it's just these programs that are being a PITA.

[EzyStvy]

Originally Posted by EzyStvy MoveOnBoot allows you to copy, moves or delete files on the next system boot. This comes in very handy, if you need to replace or delete files which are locked by other applications, loaded into memory or cannot be changed until next system boot. Download MoveOnBoot 1.95 Free - Allows you to copy, moves or delete files on the next system boot - Softpedia

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