Help me remove an annoying shortcut in my start menu!

mitchafi

Golden Member
Mar 25, 2004
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76
When I installed windows xp on this computer I used the disc that came with my old dell pc, therefore dell solution center was preloaded. So I uninstalled dell solution center since it was obviously useless to me. However, in my start menu, right beneath run, separated by a thin divider, is the dell solution center icon. When you right click it nothing comes up except a "Welcome to Dell" message so I can't delete it. Is there any way to get rid of this? I know it's not a big deal but things like this really annoy me. By the way, I am sure the program is uninstalled.
 

mechBgon

Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
Oct 31, 1999
30,699
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Try going into My Computer, clicking Tools > Folder Options, enabling viewing hidden/system/operating-system files, setting all folders to that view, and now run a Find for "Dell" on your C: drive.
 

mitchafi

Golden Member
Mar 25, 2004
1,594
0
76
search didn't come up with anything unfortunately. Someone told me it might involve editing the registry but if so it's not that big of a deal. I'll probably be purchasing/installing xp pro soon anyways.
 

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
K, first go into c:\Documents and Settings. Check All Users\Start Menu and *your username*\Start Menu. If it's there, try to delete it. If it pops up some stupid dialog box about not being able to delete it, here's the standard method:

press ctrl-alt-del to bring up the Task Manager. Find explorer.exe under Processes, end it. you taskbar and folders should disappear. Then go to the Applications tab, hit "new process" and type "cmd" to bring up a command prompt. Navigate to the folder (use dir /x to list DOS filenames in a folder, for example, Program Files is progra~1 and so on), then use "del <filename>" to get rid of it. Close the command prompt by typing "exit", then hit "new process" again and type "explorer.exe". There ya go.
 

mitchafi

Golden Member
Mar 25, 2004
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well I'm using your second method jagec, and I know how to navigate the directories perfectly, but I can't find this file. I go into start menu but once there, there is only a directory for programs and nothing else, and this file isnt in programs. I tried looking in a few different other directories but to no avail.
 

Psych

Senior member
Feb 3, 2004
324
0
0
I'm not sure if this will work, but go to the properties of the start menu and see if there is a checkbox for the icon. If nothing else works, just ignore it. I don't think it will come back to haunt you or anything.
 

Anubis

No Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
78,712
427
126
tbqhwy.com
right click on it - delete

you try that yet?

theres also a program czalled Xtec Setup that lets you modify windows and such, it shoudl be able to remove it
 

mitchafi

Golden Member
Mar 25, 2004
1,594
0
76
yea I have tried everything people posted so far to no avail. I feel like i was close with the CMD thing, but I couldn't seem to locate the file.
 

Shlong

Diamond Member
Mar 14, 2002
3,130
59
91
Control Panel - Taskbar &amp; Start menu - Start menu Tab - Customize - Advance Tabs - Uncheck the items in Start Menu Items: (Don't Display this Item)
 

bsobel

Moderator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Dec 9, 2001
13,346
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It's coming from some registry entries, basically follow the directions here in reverse (e.g. remove the keys mentioned, or customize it for your own use)

Bill