Apart from directly deleting the icons on your computer desktop, you can remove desktop icons in Windows 10 using the other two methods illustrated below.
Video guide on how to remove desktop icons on Windows 10:
Delete a shortcut In My Shortcuts, tap Select. Tap one or more buttons (a checkmark appears in the upper-right corner to indicate selection), then tap Delete. Oct 24, 2019 Well, Shortcuts makes it easy to rearrange, delete, and even duplicate your shortcuts, all with a few taps. Get an iPhone SE with Mint Mobile service for $30/mo Likewise, it's also easy to manage options like having a shortcut appear on (or disappear from) the Shortcuts widget that appears in the Today view, as well as the share sheet that you. Click the Start Menu icon. You can also press the ⊞ Win key to open your Start Menu. This will not work if you have updated Windows to 20H2. Any editing you do to the registry will. May 15, 2018 Make changes to your Shortcuts. As you scroll through the list of Pages, groups, and games, use the drop-down menus on the right side of the dialog box to select how you'd like to see the menu. Click on Sorted Automatically to let Facebook decide where the item should be in the menu.
Jul 29, 2020 Keyboard shortcuts are keys or combinations of keys that provide an alternative way to do something that you'd typically do with a mouse. Click an option below, and it'll open to display a table of related shortcuts.
2 ways to remove desktop icons on Windows 10:
Way 1: Remove desktop icons from the desktop context menu.
Right-click any blank area on the desktop, point at View in the context menu and tap Show desktop icons to deselect it, as shown in the following screen shot.
Way 2: Remove desktop icons in Desktop Icon Settings.
Note: This method is mainly used to remove common icons such as Network, This PC, Control Panel, Recycle Bin and User's Files.
Step 1: Open Desktop Icon Settings via search.
Sub-procedure 1: Press Windows+C to open Charms Menu and choose Search on it to go to Search bar.
Tip: Learn one more method to open Search bar by referring to 2 Ways to Open Search Panel in Windows 10.
Sub-procedure 2: Enter desktop icon in the empty box and click Show or hide common icons on the desktop.
Step 2: Deselect the desktop icons (i.e. Computer, Network, Recycle Bin, User's Files and Control Panel) and select OK, as exhibited in the picture below.
Related Articles:
How to remove shortcut virus on Windows 10, 8, or 7? There are three reliable methods to remove shortcut virus from PCs. You can easily remove shortcut virus with shortcut virus remover. The removal methods can sometimes cause data loss. It is recommended to use data recovery software after the infection is successfully removed.
3 Ways on How to Remove Shortcut Virus in Windows 10/8/7
The shortcut virus is a shared computer virus that hides your files and replaces them with shortcuts with the same file name. Games ps2 iso download. When you click on the shortcuts, the virus replicates itself and further infects your drive. When your computer, hard drive partition or USB drive gets affected by the shortcut virus, all files become shortcuts, and the actual data is inaccessible. The shortcut virus usually enters your drive via running a .exe file that contained the virus or from using a flash drive on multiple computers.
![How To Delete A Shortcut How To Delete A Shortcut](https://www.techchore.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/How-to-remove-Shortcut-Virus-using-cmd.png)
To remove shortcut virus in Windows 10/8/7 PC or USB:
If you have shortcut virus infection problems, read the detailed solutions below to get rid of the virus with or without shortcut virus remover.
Method 1. Clean Up and Remove Shortcut Virus with CMD
Applies to external and internal devices
If your external devices like USB flash drive, external hard drive, or SD memory card is infected with a shortcut virus, you must remove the virus immediately. The infection spreads whenever you plug the external device into a Windows PC or laptop. Follow the steps below to remove shortcut virus with Command Prompt.
- Warning
- Be careful while using the CMD command line to resolve your issue. Improper use of CMD can result in severe damage to your system.
Step 1. Connect your external hard drive to PC and right-click on 'Start', select 'Search'.
Step 2. Type Command Prompt in the Search box and click Command Prompt to bring it up.
Sign in with your administrator account and password if the system asks.
Step 3. Type this command and hit 'Enter'.
Replace H: with the drive letter of your USB, pen drive.
Step 4. Type this command and hit 'Enter'.
Step 5. Type this command and hit 'Enter'.
If this didn't work, you are likely infected by another virus. Replace the .lnk with another virus extension such as *.exe to delete these suspicious viruses.
Command | Meaning |
---|---|
-s | removes the 'system file' status from all matching files and folders. |
-r | removes the 'read-only' status from all matching files and folder. |
-h | removes the 'hidden' status from all matching files and folders. |
/s | makes the command recursively apply to all files and folders in the current directory and all subdirectories, basically the entire device in this case. |
/d | makes the command apply to folders as well (typically attrib only handles on files). |
*.* | means all file names and folder names should be considered a match. |
Method 2. Delete/Wipe Shortcut Virus from the Registry
This method aims to delete suspicious keys that may be related to the shortcut virus on your PC.
- Warning
- Deleting wrong keys in the Registry Editor may cause serious results, including malfunction issues in programs or part of computer features. Be careful if you are going to remove keys.
Steps to remove shortcut virus with Registry:
Step 1. Press Windows + R keys, type: regedit and hit Enter.
Step 2. Open Registry Editor and go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > Run.
Step 3. Find the suspicious keys like odwcamszas, WXXKYz, ZGFYszaas, OUzzckky, and delete them.
Method 3. Use Shortcut Virus Remover or Antivirus Software
Although antivirus software can often miss shortcut virus files, it can serve as a double-guarantee that your PC is rid of the virus. Download and install anti-virus software to scan and clean up all detected virus files from your Windows 10/8/7 PC or USB. Below is a list of recommended antivirus software tools to choose from. Some will be more effective than others for your particular hardware setup so that you may try more than one.
- Norton Power Eraser
- McAfee Stinger
- Shortcut Virus Remover, etc.
Steps to remove shortcut virus with free Antivirus Software:
![Without Without](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yXD-Toah5N8/U1pwMK4M4LI/AAAAAAAAB3s/q-6bbMRiY-Q/s1600/Trick+on+how+to+delete+multi+excel+worksheet+with+simple+way.jpg)
Here I take Norton Power Erase as an example:
Step 1. Download and run Norton Power Eraser.
If a new version is available, Norton Power Eraser will check and download it.
Step 2. In the 'Norton Power Eraser' window, click the 'Scan for Risks' icon.
By default, Norton Power Eraser will perform a rootkit scan and ask you to restart the system. When you see the prompt to restart the computer, click 'Restart'.
If you do not want to include rootkit scanning, please go to 'Settings' and uncheck the 'Include rootkit scanning' option.
![How to delete a shortcut icon How to delete a shortcut icon](https://www.howtogeek.com/thumbcache/2/200/f7cfcbe1da1c89fb9522a2619d10671e/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/top-650x300.jpg)
Step 3. Depending on your situation, take one of the following steps:
- If you see 'No risk found', Norton Power Eraser has not detected any risk on your computer, click 'OK' to end.
- If you see any files listed as 'bad', the 'Remove' checkbox under 'Action' will be automatically checked. It is recommended that you remove these files. If the 'Repair' checkbox under 'Action' is checked, these files will be repaired after restarting.
- If you see any files listed as 'Unknown', click the cloud icon that appears next to these files. It will send the file to a Symantec server and scan it using a traditional signature detection engine.
Step 4. After successfully removing the risk, click 'Finish'.
Additional Help - How to Recover Files After Removing the Shortcut Virus
After removing the shortcut virus from your USB and Windows PC, you should browse your data to see if anything important was lost in the process. It can be difficult and eye-straining to scour your entire hard drive for files that may have been lost. To speed up the process of finding lost files, and to quickly recover them, use EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard to search your drive. EaseUS data recovery software scans deep into the data content of your disk to find all data lost from deletion, formatting, or virus attacks. Besides, it also supports data recovery from lost partition, RAW partition, damaged hard drive, and so on.
Read on to see just how straightforward data recovery can be:
Step 1. Launch EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard. Select the disk partition or storage device where you lost files and click the 'Scan' button.
Step 2. This program will quickly start a scanning process to find lost files. When the process accomplishes, you can double-click files to have a preview before selection.
Step 3. Choose the files you want. Then click the 'Recover' button to get them back. You should save the data to another safe spot in your PC/storage device, not where they lost.
After restoring the data, to make sure that you are done with the shortcut virus, you can back up data before formatting then reformat the drive. Then restore the data from your backup, and your computer will be safe and good-as-new.
Prevent from Shortcut Virus by Turning on Windows Firewall
It takes much effort to remove shortcut virus, why not protect your computer or laptop in advance. The easiest way to prevent your Windows PC is by turning on Windows Defender Firewall. Follow the steps to protect your computer:
Step 1. Open Control Panel > click 'Windows Defender Firewall' > select 'Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off'.
Step 2. Check the boxes of 'Turn on Windows Defender Firewall' and click 'OK' to confirm.
Conclusion
Whenever you want to remove shortcut virus, you can try any one of the solutions above to get help. After shortcuts removing, turn on Windows Firewall to protect your computer. If you have data loss problems, EaseUS hard drive recovery software can always do you a favor.
How to Remove Shortcut Virus FAQs
There are some frequently asked questions about removing the shortcut virus. Read on if you still have questions.
How can I remove shortcut virus from my USB?
To remove shortcut virus from pen drive/USB drive:
Step 1. Connect your external hard drive to PC and right-click on 'Start', select 'Search'.
How To Delete A Shortcut On Chromebook
Step 2. Type: Command Prompt in the Search box and click Command Prompt to bring it up.
Sign in with your administrator account and password if the system asks.
Step 3. Type: E: and hit Enter. (Replace E: with the drive letter of your USB, pen drive.)
Step 4. Type: del *.lnk or del autorun.inf and hit Enter.
Step 5. Type: attrib -h - r -s /s /d E:*.* and hit Enter. (Replace E: with the drive letter of your infected device).
How do I delete a shortcut file?
To delete the shortcut
Step 1. Right-click the icon and select 'Delete.'
Step 2. Click 'Yes' to confirm the deletion.
Which is the best antivirus to remove shortcut virus?
Here are some great antivirus tools:
How To Delete A Shortcut In Facebook
Trojan Removal Tool
Shortcut virus fixfolder
![How to delete a shortcut on mac How to delete a shortcut on mac](https://cdn0.tnwcdn.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2019/06/shortcuts-hed-1-796x415.jpg)
To remove shortcut virus in Windows 10/8/7 PC or USB:
If you have shortcut virus infection problems, read the detailed solutions below to get rid of the virus with or without shortcut virus remover.
Method 1. Clean Up and Remove Shortcut Virus with CMD
Applies to external and internal devices
If your external devices like USB flash drive, external hard drive, or SD memory card is infected with a shortcut virus, you must remove the virus immediately. The infection spreads whenever you plug the external device into a Windows PC or laptop. Follow the steps below to remove shortcut virus with Command Prompt.
- Warning
- Be careful while using the CMD command line to resolve your issue. Improper use of CMD can result in severe damage to your system.
Step 1. Connect your external hard drive to PC and right-click on 'Start', select 'Search'.
Step 2. Type Command Prompt in the Search box and click Command Prompt to bring it up.
Sign in with your administrator account and password if the system asks.
Step 3. Type this command and hit 'Enter'.
Replace H: with the drive letter of your USB, pen drive.
Step 4. Type this command and hit 'Enter'.
Step 5. Type this command and hit 'Enter'.
If this didn't work, you are likely infected by another virus. Replace the .lnk with another virus extension such as *.exe to delete these suspicious viruses.
Command | Meaning |
---|---|
-s | removes the 'system file' status from all matching files and folders. |
-r | removes the 'read-only' status from all matching files and folder. |
-h | removes the 'hidden' status from all matching files and folders. |
/s | makes the command recursively apply to all files and folders in the current directory and all subdirectories, basically the entire device in this case. |
/d | makes the command apply to folders as well (typically attrib only handles on files). |
*.* | means all file names and folder names should be considered a match. |
Method 2. Delete/Wipe Shortcut Virus from the Registry
This method aims to delete suspicious keys that may be related to the shortcut virus on your PC.
- Warning
- Deleting wrong keys in the Registry Editor may cause serious results, including malfunction issues in programs or part of computer features. Be careful if you are going to remove keys.
Steps to remove shortcut virus with Registry:
Step 1. Press Windows + R keys, type: regedit and hit Enter.
Step 2. Open Registry Editor and go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > Run.
Step 3. Find the suspicious keys like odwcamszas, WXXKYz, ZGFYszaas, OUzzckky, and delete them.
Method 3. Use Shortcut Virus Remover or Antivirus Software
Although antivirus software can often miss shortcut virus files, it can serve as a double-guarantee that your PC is rid of the virus. Download and install anti-virus software to scan and clean up all detected virus files from your Windows 10/8/7 PC or USB. Below is a list of recommended antivirus software tools to choose from. Some will be more effective than others for your particular hardware setup so that you may try more than one.
- Norton Power Eraser
- McAfee Stinger
- Shortcut Virus Remover, etc.
Steps to remove shortcut virus with free Antivirus Software:
Here I take Norton Power Erase as an example:
Step 1. Download and run Norton Power Eraser.
If a new version is available, Norton Power Eraser will check and download it.
Step 2. In the 'Norton Power Eraser' window, click the 'Scan for Risks' icon.
By default, Norton Power Eraser will perform a rootkit scan and ask you to restart the system. When you see the prompt to restart the computer, click 'Restart'.
If you do not want to include rootkit scanning, please go to 'Settings' and uncheck the 'Include rootkit scanning' option.
Step 3. Depending on your situation, take one of the following steps:
- If you see 'No risk found', Norton Power Eraser has not detected any risk on your computer, click 'OK' to end.
- If you see any files listed as 'bad', the 'Remove' checkbox under 'Action' will be automatically checked. It is recommended that you remove these files. If the 'Repair' checkbox under 'Action' is checked, these files will be repaired after restarting.
- If you see any files listed as 'Unknown', click the cloud icon that appears next to these files. It will send the file to a Symantec server and scan it using a traditional signature detection engine.
Step 4. After successfully removing the risk, click 'Finish'.
Additional Help - How to Recover Files After Removing the Shortcut Virus
After removing the shortcut virus from your USB and Windows PC, you should browse your data to see if anything important was lost in the process. It can be difficult and eye-straining to scour your entire hard drive for files that may have been lost. To speed up the process of finding lost files, and to quickly recover them, use EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard to search your drive. EaseUS data recovery software scans deep into the data content of your disk to find all data lost from deletion, formatting, or virus attacks. Besides, it also supports data recovery from lost partition, RAW partition, damaged hard drive, and so on.
Read on to see just how straightforward data recovery can be:
Step 1. Launch EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard. Select the disk partition or storage device where you lost files and click the 'Scan' button.
Step 2. This program will quickly start a scanning process to find lost files. When the process accomplishes, you can double-click files to have a preview before selection.
Step 3. Choose the files you want. Then click the 'Recover' button to get them back. You should save the data to another safe spot in your PC/storage device, not where they lost.
After restoring the data, to make sure that you are done with the shortcut virus, you can back up data before formatting then reformat the drive. Then restore the data from your backup, and your computer will be safe and good-as-new.
Prevent from Shortcut Virus by Turning on Windows Firewall
It takes much effort to remove shortcut virus, why not protect your computer or laptop in advance. The easiest way to prevent your Windows PC is by turning on Windows Defender Firewall. Follow the steps to protect your computer:
Step 1. Open Control Panel > click 'Windows Defender Firewall' > select 'Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off'.
Step 2. Check the boxes of 'Turn on Windows Defender Firewall' and click 'OK' to confirm.
Conclusion
Whenever you want to remove shortcut virus, you can try any one of the solutions above to get help. After shortcuts removing, turn on Windows Firewall to protect your computer. If you have data loss problems, EaseUS hard drive recovery software can always do you a favor.
How to Remove Shortcut Virus FAQs
There are some frequently asked questions about removing the shortcut virus. Read on if you still have questions.
How can I remove shortcut virus from my USB?
To remove shortcut virus from pen drive/USB drive:
Step 1. Connect your external hard drive to PC and right-click on 'Start', select 'Search'.
How To Delete A Shortcut On Chromebook
Step 2. Type: Command Prompt in the Search box and click Command Prompt to bring it up.
Sign in with your administrator account and password if the system asks.
Step 3. Type: E: and hit Enter. (Replace E: with the drive letter of your USB, pen drive.)
Step 4. Type: del *.lnk or del autorun.inf and hit Enter.
Step 5. Type: attrib -h - r -s /s /d E:*.* and hit Enter. (Replace E: with the drive letter of your infected device).
How do I delete a shortcut file?
To delete the shortcut
Step 1. Right-click the icon and select 'Delete.'
Step 2. Click 'Yes' to confirm the deletion.
Which is the best antivirus to remove shortcut virus?
Here are some great antivirus tools:
How To Delete A Shortcut In Facebook
Trojan Removal Tool
Shortcut virus fixfolder
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, etc.