Desktop filled with unwanted shortcuts.

[Guest]

Something has populated my desktop with shortcuts to every file I've got and
lots I've never heard of. If I delete one, it puts another into the space.
They're not listed in the Remove Unused Desktop Shortcuts utility. PC
operating at dead slow/stop, though Internet operations appear to be normal.
Using Windows XP Home.
Can anybody help?
Mike.

 

[CreateWindow]

Hi,

Sounds like some shortcut files got copied to here:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop

Can you take a look?

CreateWindow
http://mymessagetaker.com
Stop using those paper phone message pads
make the computer work for you.

 

[Chuck]

Something has populated my desktop with shortcuts to every file I've got and
lots I've never heard of. If I delete one, it puts another into the space.
They're not listed in the Remove Unused Desktop Shortcuts utility. PC
operating at dead slow/stop, though Internet operations appear to be normal.
Using Windows XP Home.
Can anybody help?
Mike.

I think you have a virus. You should boot up into Safe Mode and run
your anti-virus software
program. If you don't have one, then you should buy it. However, the
damage may
have already been done. You just might have to format and reinstall
your operating system
to ensure that you've gotten rid of any viruses.

Chuck

http://www.ebusinesswiz.com

 

[dobey]

Something has populated my desktop with shortcuts to every file I've got
and
lots I've never heard of. If I delete one, it puts another into the space.
They're not listed in the Remove Unused Desktop Shortcuts utility. PC
operating at dead slow/stop, though Internet operations appear to be
normal.
Using Windows XP Home.
Can anybody help?
Mike.

Are you sure you haven't selected a whole group of files and accidentally
created shortcuts on your desktop. It can easily happen with a very small
mouse movement, especially if you are distracted at the right time.

Try using windows explorer to view your desktop and delete all the shortcuts
you don't want. If you just delete them directly from the desktop and there
are some off screen, they will likely fill the space of the just deleted
shortcuts, so they may seem to re-appear. It depends if you have chosen auto
arrange for desktop icons or not.

If, after deletion they do re-appear then you may have a virus. Run the
usual checks.

 

[cattanack]

Are you sure you haven't selected a whole group of files and accidentally
created shortcuts on your desktop. It can easily happen with a very small
mouse movement, especially if you are distracted at the right time.

I've done that. Panicked then realized what happened when it happened
again shortly after.

Try using windows explorer to view your desktop and delete all the shortcuts
you don't want. If you just delete them directly from the desktop and there
are some off screen, they will likely fill the space of the just deleted
shortcuts, so they may seem to re-appear. It depends if you have chosen auto
arrange for desktop icons or not.

He could "select all" for mass deletion to make it easy.. Then hold
down shift key then 'deselect'
the shortcuts by left-clicking the shortcuts he intends to keep. Then
delete 'without' holding down
shift key.

 

[Elmo]

I've done that. Panicked then realized what happened when it happened
again shortly after.


He could "select all" for mass deletion to make it easy.. Then hold
down shift key then 'deselect'
the shortcuts by left-clicking the shortcuts he intends to keep. Then
delete 'without' holding down
shift key.

Or better yet, he could depress the Ctrl key and click to deselect
individual entries. ;o)

Or just do a search for "copy of" (no quotes) and delete them from the
Desktop folders only.

 

[Guest]

Something has populated my desktop with shortcuts to every file I've got and
lots I've never heard of. If I delete one, it puts another into the space.
They're not listed in the Remove Unused Desktop Shortcuts utility. PC
operating at dead slow/stop, though Internet operations appear to be normal.
Using Windows XP Home.
Can anybody help?
Mike.

THANK YOU ALL! Windows Explorer/Desktop and there they all were. Did Select
All, unblued those I wanted and BINGO! Wonderful to know that there are
people who'll give their time to help idiots like me. Mike.