Shortcut in Favorites will not delete

[Guest]

I have a shortcut in my Favorites folder that will not delete from Internet
Explorer or from Windows Explorer. This wouldn't be such a problem but my
backup program always stops to ask me what I want to do about it. It will
not delete or move. If I right click, instead of the usual list of choices,
it only offers Print, Send To, or Sort By Name. Windows Explorer shows this
file as an Internet Shortcut but the link doesn't work. I really, really
don't want to have to do a complete format and start over for this one stupid
file. Thanks so much for any help!!!

 

[Jone Doe]

I have a shortcut in my Favorites folder that will not delete from Internet
Explorer or from Windows Explorer. This wouldn't be such a problem but my
backup program always stops to ask me what I want to do about it. It will
not delete or move. If I right click, instead of the usual list of
choices,
it only offers Print, Send To, or Sort By Name. Windows Explorer shows
this
file as an Internet Shortcut but the link doesn't work. I really, really
don't want to have to do a complete format and start over for this one
stupid
file. Thanks so much for any help!!!

Did you try highlighting the shortcut and pressing "delete" on the keyboard?

 

[David H. Lipman]

1) Download the following three items...

Trend Sysclean Package
http://www.trendmicro.com/download/dcs.asp

Latest Trend Pattern File.
http://www.trendmicro.com/download/pattern.asp

Adaware SE (free personal version v1.05)
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/

Create a directory.
On drive "C:\"
(e.g., "c:\New Folder")
or the desktop
(e.g., "C:\Documents and Settings\lipman\Desktop\New Folder")

Download Sysclean.com and place it in that directory.
Download the Trend Pattern File by obtaining the ZIP file.
For example; lpt246.zip

Extract the contents of the ZIP file and place the contents in the same directory as
sysclean.com.

2) Update Adaware with the latest definitions.
3) Disable System Restore
http://vil.nai.com/vil/SystemHelpDocs/DisableSysRestore.htm
4) Reboot your PC into Safe Mode
5) Using both the Trend Sysclean utility and Adaware, perform a Full Scan of your
platform and clean/delete any infectors/parasites found.
(a few cycles may be needed)
6) Restart your PC and perform a "final" Full Scan of your platform using both the
Trend Sysclean utility and Adaware
7) Re-enable System Restore and re-apply any System Restore preferences,
(e.g. HD space to use suggested 400 ~ 600MB),
8) Reboot your PC.
9) Create a new Restore point


* * * Please report back your results * * *

Dave





| I have a shortcut in my Favorites folder that will not delete from Internet
| Explorer or from Windows Explorer. This wouldn't be such a problem but my
| backup program always stops to ask me what I want to do about it. It will
| not delete or move. If I right click, instead of the usual list of choices,
| it only offers Print, Send To, or Sort By Name. Windows Explorer shows this
| file as an Internet Shortcut but the link doesn't work. I really, really
| don't want to have to do a complete format and start over for this one stupid
| file. Thanks so much for any help!!!

 

[Malke]

I have a shortcut in my Favorites folder that will not delete from
Internet
Explorer or from Windows Explorer. This wouldn't be such a problem
but my
backup program always stops to ask me what I want to do about it. It
will
not delete or move. If I right click, instead of the usual list of
choices,
it only offers Print, Send To, or Sort By Name. Windows Explorer
shows this
file as an Internet Shortcut but the link doesn't work. I really,
really don't want to have to do a complete format and start over for
this one stupid
file. Thanks so much for any help!!!

Was the shortcut put there by malware or is it something you put there
yourself? If the latter, go into Safe Mode (repeatedly tap the F8 key
as the computer is starting up) and try and delete it from there.

If this is an unwanted shortcut that you *didn't* put there yourself,
you may have malware on the system. In that case, follow these removal
steps:

1) Scan in Safe Mode with current version (not earlier than 2003)
antivirus using updated definitions;

2) remove spyware with Spybot Search & Destroy
(www.safer-networking.org) and Ad-aware (www.lavasoftusa.com). These
programs are free, so use them both since they complement each other.
There is a new version of CWShredder from
http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cwshredder_download.html. I would
not install the other Intermute programs, however. Alternately, there
are CoolWebSearch malware removal steps at
http://www.silentrunners.org/sr_cwsremoval.html. A combination of
HijackThis and About:Buster (http://www.majorgeeks.com) works well in
removing homepage hijackers. Always read the instructions before
running a spyware removal tool. Be sure to update these programs before
running, and it is a good idea to do virus/spyware scans in Safe Mode.
Make sure you are able to see all hidden files and extensions (View tab
in Folder Options);

3) If you are running Windows ME or XP, you should disable/enable System
Restore because malware will be in the Restore Points. With ME, you
must disable System Restore completely. With XP, you can delete all but
the most recent (presumably clean) System Restore point from the More
Options section of Disk Cleanup (Run>cleanmgr).

4) make sure you've visited Windows Update and applied all security
patches. Do not install driver updates from Windows Update;

5) run a firewall.

Malke

 

[Guest]

Yes, I tried highlighting the shortcut and pressing "delete" on the keyboard
and that doesn't work. Thanks, though.

 

[Guest]

I put the shortcut there myself but apparently it has somehow gotten
corrupted or something. I tried going into Safe Mode to delete the shortcut
but still couldn't delete it. Thanks!!

 

[Kelly]

The link below not only cleans you favorites by scanning for dead links but
can also finds and restore the Favicon icons of your bookmarked sites.
FavOrg can fix links by resetting them to the root of the domain and create
reports of the scan results.

FavOrg - Restore and Save Favorite Icons (Line 108)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

/taskbarplus!.htm

 

[Guest]

Disappointment again. I did all this and still can't delete this one
shortcut. Thanks!

 

[Guest]

Thanks Kelly,
At least this gives me a way to save everything but, I'm guessing that I
would have to run this program everytime I make a change in my favorites. I
make a LOT of changes in my favorites and use it as sort of a filing system.
This one pesky shortcut is still not deletable. I guess when I have some
time (HA!!) I'll just have to reformat. I'm also glad to have your great
site. Thanks!!