Stuck Icon on desktop

[AFurryReptile]

I was downloading diskwizard2003_en when I realized I didn't need it to install my hard drive. I cancelled the download, and since then the installer icon has become stuck to my desktop. When I try to delete it, it says that it is being used by another person or program. How can I delete this?

 

[mechBgon]

Try this:

1) open Task Manager

2) in Task Manager, right-click explorer.exe on the Processes tab and choose End process. The taskbar vanishes.

3) try deleting the file now. If it still won't delete, repeat this while you're in Safe Mode.

4) on the Applications tab of Task Manager, click the New Task button and you can restart explorer.exe


Any good?

 

[AFurryReptile]

Safe mode didn't work, and when I shut down explorer.exe, everything disappears, so that I cannot even see the icon. Any other ideas?

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: AFurryReptile
Safe mode didn't work, and when I shut down explorer.exe, everything disappears, so that I cannot even see the icon. Any other ideas?

Here's a refinement: before you shut down Explorer.exe,

1) click Start > Run > cmd and click OK. A command-line box opens.

2) in the command box, type cd desktop and now you should be in C:\Documents and Settings\<your username>\Desktop.

3) prep this command, but don't hit Enter yet: del diskwizard2003_en.exe (I presume it's an .exe file?)

4) now shut down Explorer.exe, then hit Enter in your command box to delete the file.


Did that work?

 

[cubby1223]

Never used it, but http://www.softwarepatch.com/software/moveonboot.html should work.

Worse comes to worse, you can always hook the hard drive up to another computer and delete the file. Of course this is assuming you did not make your profile private - which I never recommend anyone do, most XP security can easily be worked around, but if any problems develop with the hard drive then data recovery can be a major PITA if you have a private profile.