I try to keep an empty desktop (Windows 7 Professional, Lenovo Thinkpad X220) but the desktop icon for Norton AntiVirus 2012 keeps reappearing, even after I delete it. It's hugely annoying.
I can drag the icon to the Recycle Bin (and I need to authenticate as Administrator to achieve this), and it disappears. But next time I switch on the icon has returned.
This was mysteriously fixed for a few weeks, but suddenly (18 May 2012) the icon, and the problem, has returned.
As an aside, my problem is identical to one that a McAfee user had, where the solution was a software update by the software vendor:
https://community.mcafee.com/message/221206
It's also identical to this problem by a Norton user, but in that case there was no solution posted:
http://community.norton.com/t5/Norton-Internet-Security-Norton/Norton-Desktop-Icon-Reappeared/m-p/452404
I would be very grateful for some help.
niksilver wrote:
I try to keep an empty desktop (Windows 7 Professional, Lenovo Thinkpad X220) but the desktop icon for Norton AntiVirus 2012 keeps reappearing, even after I delete it. It's hugely annoying.
I can drag the icon to the Recycle Bin (and I need to authenticate as Administrator to achieve this), and it disappears. But next time I switch on the icon has returned.
This was mysteriously fixed for a few weeks, but suddenly (18 May 2012) the icon, and the problem, has returned.
As an aside, my problem is identical to one that a McAfee user had, where the solution was a software update by the software vendor:
https://community.mcafee.com/message/221206
It's also identical to this problem by a Norton user, but in that case there was no solution posted:
http://community.norton.com/t5/Norton-Internet-Security-Norton/Norton-Desktop-Icon-Reappeared/m-p/452404
I would be very grateful for some help.
Welcome,
I don't know your situation but I like to keep my desktop sort of clean. I allow one row of icons and the rest are stored in a folder called 'icons'. Whenever I install a new program or an update posts a new icon to the desktop I move it into the icon folder - it usually asks me if I want to replace the existing icon which I do and it does. It may not be your solution but it is a possible 'workaround'. It will require that you allow at least that one folder on your desktop.
Stay well and surf safe
Try checking to see if there is an icon listed under the default user. That would over ride any deletion from your own local account.
Go to Start - Computer- C: drive - Users - Default - Desktop. Delete any Norton shortcuts you find, reboot, and see if your problem is fixed.
After a few days of the problem happening again it has (for the second time) mysteriously fixed itself. But I will try your suggestion, @peterweb, if the problem returns and report back. Your solution is not one I've tried before. Thanks.
So for what it's worth, I think I've figured this one out. I had the same problem - I like a clean desktop but every time I reboot my travel laptop the Norton A/V icon would reappear. Drove myself crazy searching startup, public users, etc., then had an idea that worked. I can't say for certain if it will work in ALL cases because all computer's are different, but I've been a computer tech for 15 years and checked everywhere else (including the registry) and didn't see any other references that could be recreating the shortcut.
- First, you need to "un-hide" all the Windows default hidden files and folders.
- Open COMPUTER
- Tools --> Folder Options --> VIEW Tab (hit ALT in Vista and W7 if you don't see those to temporarily display them)
- Place radio mark next to SHOW HIDDEN FILES, FOLDERS, AND DRIVES
- Uncheck HIDE EXTENSIONS FOR KNOWN FILE TYPES
- Uncheck HIDE PROTECTED OPERATING SYSTEM FILES (this is the most important one)
- Click APPLY and OK until you are back at COMPUTER then close that too
- On the desktop find the "half hidden" file DESKTOP.INI and open the file
- In MY case there were 2, which was part of the issue. You SHOULD only have 1, but if you happen to have 2 of them either delete one or repeat the following step for BOTH files. Obviously, if you want to be cautious, make a backup of these first.
- Look for a line that contains the word NORTON or SYMANTEC and delete that line ONLY
- If you happen to have 2 desktop.ini files, again, delete one or open the other and make sure there isn't a line containing NORTON or SYMANTEC in there.
- Save the file(s) and reboot the computer
- When reboot is complete go back into COMPUTER and reverse the first set of steps to hide those files again if you want.
Let me know if that worked for you too!