Can't remove shortcut from Start Menu

[Excalibur]

I'm using Windows XP. I've added a shortcut to the Start Menu (Not in the all programs part but where Internet Explorer & Email shortcuts are at.) by right click-dragging a shortcut to it. Unfortunately I removed the folder where the original file resided and now have a dead link that refuses to be removed when i click "Remove from This List". I've tried recreating the folder and files (which will then open using the link) but still can't remove it. Does anyone know how, or perhaps where the registry key is (if there is one). Or possible another solution that will help me fix this.

Thanks.

[LightIdea]

Why not just create a dummy text file of the shortcut where it originally was, and then remove it from the list, then remove the dummy text file.

[Excalibur]

tried that and it still wont remove does the same thing. even tried recreating the original files/folders back and it wont let me remove it.

[Volatile]

Have you right click/properties and to customize and made sure the two items under show on start menu are checked? Might rewrite the settings back...

http://8thstring.wordpress.com/2006/09/03/...-registry-keys/

[Excalibur]

yeah tried making them checked and no effect on the icon im trying to remove, wish it was that simple as far as that registry edit i'm not sure its gonna help me here to remove an icon.

[redvamp128]

You mean the quick launch...

C:\Documents and Settings\(USER NAME)\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch

Check there for the shortcut... But if it is not there then check right click on start menu then choose explore all users. Then look for the link.

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu

also check

C:\Documents and Settings\Username\Start Menu

If there is the option to unpin then choose that one.That might work as well.

Or the easier the easier way is to click on the link... And Xp should ask you do you wish to remove it.

The only other thing it could be is clear recent documents.

Or right click on the start menu- choose properties then customize- then set the number of Programs on the start menu to 0 then logg off then log back on. It should go away.

Also try the program - CCleaner.

http://www.ccleaner.com/

It also has a check for missing start menu items.

Edited July 3, 2008 by redvamp128

[Excalibur]

no, not quick launch, i mean the part of the start menu where the mail and internet links appear at, i moved a shortcut to there but it will not let me remove it. while it will let me remove others from there it won't remove it because i deleted the source folder. (tried putting it back but that didnt work.)

i click on it and it asks me if i wanna remove it i click yes and it does not go away, i click remove from list and that doesn't work either.

I even tried running CCleaner ( i think i had the right settings chose) and it still didnt remove it.

I have no clue what to do. Its been like this for several weeks and i havent been able to fix it.

[redvamp128]

Screenshot? Is it possible to log in as another user- Another Admin. Then try to use them to remove it. Did you try the 0 files in list idea that I suggested. or the Unpin from start menu.

[Bugballou]

Tried Safe Mode? Tap F8 as your computer is booting. Doesn't sound like you need to take ownership of a file. Pocket Killbox possibly? When you right click and choose properties what all do you see?

[Excalibur]

yes i tried unpinning, but that doesnt work it gives me the choice to pin to start menu instead. even though its on the start menu already and if i click that it adds another shortcut which it lets me delete.

Yeah even tried safe mode but even then it doesnt work. and when i log in with a different user it isnt there.

Take ownership?, its just a shortcut on my start menu.

[redvamp128]

Does it let you rename it? If it does... then rename it... then use search for that new name- then in the search box... right click on it... hold down the shift and choose delete.

Also try this- change over to the Classic menu- and see if it appears there- If it does then see if you can remove it off that menu- then switch back to Xp. I want to see the where it is attached to the start menu. I have seen something simialr with an older version of windowblinds themes. (that was the only way to remove it before they upgraded the version.) That issue is fixed now with that software but worth a shot to try in your case.

[jesseinsf]

here is something that might help. Try "Unlocker", download it from THIS website. after install, right click and choose "Unlocker" then choose an action, like delete....it may ask you to reboot to delete the Icon/file. Hope this works for you. :)

[Excalibur]

I figured out what was wrong, a few months back i changed the default location of the My Documents folder and the shortcut i was trying to get off the start menu was located there, anyway windows apparently didnt like that and wouldnt let me remove anything i had placed from there on the start menu until i moved My Documents back to its default location, when i did that it let me remove it. I'm not sure why it did that but oh well i got it fixed.

Even though i ended up figuring it out on my own, Thanks for all the help you guys, i really appreciate you all.

[jesseinsf]

I figured out what was wrong, a few months back i changed the default location of the My Documents folder and the shortcut i was trying to get off the start menu was located there, anyway windows apparently didnt like that and wouldnt let me remove anything i had placed from there on the start menu until i moved My Documents back to its default location, when i did that it let me remove it. I'm not sure why it did that but oh well i got it fixed.

Even though i ended up figuring it out on my own, Thanks for all the help you guys, i really appreciate you all.

if you move your "My Documents" folder you should move it through the start menu by "Right Clicking" My Documents and choosing "Properties" then choose "Location" then click "Move". This way you won't have this issue. :)

[Excalibur]

thanks but acually that is the method i used when i moved it before, but i think the main reason for the problem is i moved it to my second harddrive. but i guess for now i will leave it put in its default location.

[jesseinsf]

thanks but acually that is the method i used when i moved it before, but i think the main reason for the problem is i moved it to my second harddrive. but i guess for now i will leave it put in its default location.

I always moved my "My Documents" to a second HDD. Sounds like a corrupted system file on your end, or some type of security issue. Anyway, you seem quite computer savvy yourself. Try it again without the stuff you don't want in the start menu. If you do then let me know if everything works fine or not. :)

[Excalibur]

I always moved my "My Documents" to a second HDD. Sounds like a corrupted system file on your end, or some type of security issue. Anyway, you seem quite computer savvy yourself. Try it again without the stuff you don't want in the start menu. If you do then let me know if everything works fine or not. :)

i know my way around a computer pretty good, i suppose, but savvy, hmm not so sure about that, as there is quite a bit i don't know about computers, but anyway for now i think i will leave My Documents in its default location, i'm sure eventually i'll try moving it again, because i like keeping it on my second hard drive kinda for security reasons.

Again, Thanks for all the help, all of you.

[bunker]

Open regedit. Go to

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartPage

And delete the following and then reboot (or kill explorer and load it back)

"Favorites"=......

"FavoritesChanges"=...

"FavoritesResolve"=.....

Edited October 2, 2008 by bunker