START Menu

[Guest]

I have set Start Menu to "0" :no programs are added automatically.
Instead, I have filled it with Shortcuts to my frequently used Files,
Folders and applications.
Two of these shortcuts refuse to be deleted (even in SafeMode).
Clicking on these shortcuts, Windows reports:
The item you selected is unavailable. It might have been moved ,renamed ,or
removed. Do you want to remove it from the list?

Right-Clicking them, Properties are greyed-out. Mouse-hover only displays
the word "item:"
Resorting to Registry Cleaners did not eliminate them.
I tried to locate them by RegEdit with no success.

My System is Win XP Pro SP2

 

[Fitz]

Click "Yes" when Windows asked if you want it removed from the list. The
program/file/folder has already been removed (by you hopefully), or the path
to it (them) has been changed and the shortcut is no longer valid.

Fitz

 

[Guest]

Already tried that: sorry to have left it out as I thought it was abvious.
Nothing happens and the misbehaving entries remain there.
But thanks for taking the time to reply.

 

[TaurArian [MS-MVP]]

Utility for Deleting Invalid Files
http://www.purgeie.com/delinv.htm
For invalid/UNC file/folder name deleting, rather than the in use problem

No guarantees - use with care and at your own risk - locate the offending shortcut files on the
harddrive, and delete.


--
===========================
TaurArian [MS-MVP] 2005-2006
===========================
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
"Need more help? http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=ph;en-us;6527

 

[Keith Miller MVP]

If you are talking about the "pinned" area of the XP Start Panel (left-hand pane), those links are
stored in binary format under this key:

"HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartPage"

To clear the pinned programs (it's an all or nothing thing, you'll have to put back the ones you
want), Delete the values named:

"Favorites"
"FavoritesChanges"
"FavoritesResolve"

Logoff & log on for changes to take effect.

 

[Guest]

Thank you for responding to my post.
I was unable to locate the offending shortcuts (in the "pinned" area of the
XP Start Panel left-hand pane).
Intend to keep the application (PurgeIE) though, as it will be handy.
Appreciate your "use with caution".
If my probelm is resolved I will reply.

--
Rgds
Poltonis
------------------

Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes.
Confucius
Chinese philosopher & reformer (551 BC - 479 BC)

Utility for Deleting Invalid Files
http://www.purgeie.com/delinv.htm
For invalid/UNC file/folder name deleting, rather than the in use problem

No guarantees - use with care and at your own risk - locate the offending shortcut files on the
harddrive, and delete.


--
===========================
TaurArian [MS-MVP] 2005-2006
===========================
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
"Need more help? http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=ph;en-us;6527

I have set Start Menu to "0" :no programs are added automatically.
Instead, I have filled it with Shortcuts to my frequently used Files,
Folders and applications.
Two of these shortcuts refuse to be deleted (even in SafeMode).
Clicking on these shortcuts, Windows reports:
The item you selected is unavailable. It might have been moved ,renamed ,or
removed. Do you want to remove it from the list?

Right-Clicking them, Properties are greyed-out. Mouse-hover only displays
the word "item:"
Resorting to Registry Cleaners did not eliminate them.
I tried to locate them by RegEdit with no success.

My System is Win XP Pro SP2

 

[Guest]

Yes Keith- that did it!
Had been looking around for a solution these past 8 days - checking here and
there: and in a jiffy you offered me a solution. I just copied the "good"
shortcuts" and then effected the surgery you indicated.

Many thanks: those "bad" shortcuts were really an eyesore!
--
Rgds
Poltonis
------------------------------------------------

If you are talking about the "pinned" area of the XP Start Panel (left-hand pane), those links are
stored in binary format under this key:

"HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartPage"

To clear the pinned programs (it's an all or nothing thing, you'll have to put back the ones you
want), Delete the values named:

"Favorites"
"FavoritesChanges"
"FavoritesResolve"

Logoff & log on for changes to take effect.

--
Good Luck,

Keith
Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]

I have set Start Menu to "0" :no programs are added automatically.
Instead, I have filled it with Shortcuts to my frequently used Files,
Folders and applications.
Two of these shortcuts refuse to be deleted (even in SafeMode).
Clicking on these shortcuts, Windows reports:
The item you selected is unavailable. It might have been moved ,renamed ,or
removed. Do you want to remove it from the list?

Right-Clicking them, Properties are greyed-out. Mouse-hover only displays
the word "item:"
Resorting to Registry Cleaners did not eliminate them.
I tried to locate them by RegEdit with no success.

My System is Win XP Pro SP2

 

[Keith Miller MVP]

You're welcome. Glad it's fixed.

--
Good Luck,

Keith
Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]

Yes Keith- that did it!
Had been looking around for a solution these past 8 days - checking here and
there: and in a jiffy you offered me a solution. I just copied the "good"
shortcuts" and then effected the surgery you indicated.

Many thanks: those "bad" shortcuts were really an eyesore!
--
Rgds
Poltonis
------------------------------------------------

If you are talking about the "pinned" area of the XP Start Panel (left-hand pane), those links are
stored in binary format under this key:

"HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartPage"

To clear the pinned programs (it's an all or nothing thing, you'll have to put back the ones you
want), Delete the values named:

"Favorites"
"FavoritesChanges"
"FavoritesResolve"

Logoff & log on for changes to take effect.

--
Good Luck,

Keith
Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]

I have set Start Menu to "0" :no programs are added automatically.
Instead, I have filled it with Shortcuts to my frequently used Files,
Folders and applications.
Two of these shortcuts refuse to be deleted (even in SafeMode).
Clicking on these shortcuts, Windows reports:
The item you selected is unavailable. It might have been moved ,renamed ,or
removed. Do you want to remove it from the list?

Right-Clicking them, Properties are greyed-out. Mouse-hover only displays
the word "item:"
Resorting to Registry Cleaners did not eliminate them.
I tried to locate them by RegEdit with no success.

My System is Win XP Pro SP2

 

[Joseph W. Rider]

Yes Keith- that did it!
Had been looking around for a solution these past 8 days - checking here
and
there: and in a jiffy you offered me a solution. I just copied the "good"
shortcuts" and then effected the surgery you indicated.

Many thanks: those "bad" shortcuts were really an eyesore!
--
Rgds
Poltonis
------------------------------------------------

If you are talking about the "pinned" area of the XP Start Panel
(left-hand pane), those links are
stored in binary format under this key:

"HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartPage"

To clear the pinned programs (it's an all or nothing thing, you'll have
to put back the ones you
want), Delete the values named:

"Favorites"
"FavoritesChanges"
"FavoritesResolve"

Logoff & log on for changes to take effect.

--
Good Luck,

Keith
Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]

I have set Start Menu to "0" :no programs are added automatically.
Instead, I have filled it with Shortcuts to my frequently used Files,
Folders and applications.
Two of these shortcuts refuse to be deleted (even in SafeMode).
Clicking on these shortcuts, Windows reports:
The item you selected is unavailable. It might have been moved ,renamed
,or
removed. Do you want to remove it from the list?

Right-Clicking them, Properties are greyed-out. Mouse-hover only
displays
the word "item:"
Resorting to Registry Cleaners did not eliminate them.
I tried to locate them by RegEdit with no success.

My System is Win XP Pro SP2

YES after 1 year Clock.exe has left the building.

Thanks keith

Joe

 

[Keith Miller MVP]

You're welcome, Joe.


--
Good Luck,

Keith
Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]

Yes Keith- that did it!
Had been looking around for a solution these past 8 days - checking here
and
there: and in a jiffy you offered me a solution. I just copied the "good"
shortcuts" and then effected the surgery you indicated.

Many thanks: those "bad" shortcuts were really an eyesore!
--
Rgds
Poltonis
------------------------------------------------

If you are talking about the "pinned" area of the XP Start Panel
(left-hand pane), those links are
stored in binary format under this key:

"HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartPage"

To clear the pinned programs (it's an all or nothing thing, you'll have
to put back the ones you
want), Delete the values named:

"Favorites"
"FavoritesChanges"
"FavoritesResolve"

Logoff & log on for changes to take effect.

--
Good Luck,

Keith
Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]


I have set Start Menu to "0" :no programs are added automatically.
Instead, I have filled it with Shortcuts to my frequently used Files,
Folders and applications.
Two of these shortcuts refuse to be deleted (even in SafeMode).
Clicking on these shortcuts, Windows reports:
The item you selected is unavailable. It might have been moved ,renamed
,or
removed. Do you want to remove it from the list?

Right-Clicking them, Properties are greyed-out. Mouse-hover only
displays
the word "item:"
Resorting to Registry Cleaners did not eliminate them.
I tried to locate them by RegEdit with no success.

My System is Win XP Pro SP2

YES after 1 year Clock.exe has left the building.

Thanks keith

Joe