Cannot delete a file from the desktop

Question

I have a file that I deleted from my desktop but it still shows as being there (although a 0 byte file), and now I cannot get rid of this icon.

The following suggestions have been tried:

1. Tried to delete it through safe mode. No luck.
2. Tried to delete it through reboot. No luck.
3. Tried to delete it through DOS command prompt (it doesn't register). No luck.
4. Installed and tried to delete with MoveOnBoot. No luck.
5. Tried renaming and overwriting. No luck.
6. Deleted registry references to file on desktop. No luck.
7. Tried moving the file. No luck.
8. I also tried system restore but that didn't work either.

Before reinstalling the OS (yechh!) is there any other thought?

Thank you.

HiGhLaNdEr48 · Answer

borohan, Try right clicking the desktop- choose arrange icons by and make sure lock web items on desktop is not checked.Then try again.

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Majestic · Answer

Borohan, click here for another forum discussion that discusses several ways to delete stubborn files.  From the feedback I have received the MoveOnBoot utility seems to be the most popular solution.

borohan · Answer

Thanks for the suggestions, Majestic. I tried all of these (that I hadn't tried earlier) with no success. It's a frustrating problem, for certain!

dunedin · Answer

Find out what is locking the file. This program will unlock it for you UNLOCKER         http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/

msil217 · Answer

And if Unlocker doesn't work, run chkdsk. Sometimes a corrupted file cannot be deleted.

Windows General

Cannot delete a file from the desktop

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