Hopefully simple question

ok, this is more of an annoyance than a problem, but here goes:

There's an internet explorer icon on my desktop and I can't seem to get rid of it! I went to the display properties and unchecked the box for internet explorer under the desktop icons box. Then I delete the icon from the desktop, but it shows back up when I'm not looking! (I also have My Network Places unchecked and it still shows up but I don't mind that) I have my desktop icons hidden so they show up on my start menu (as a toolbar) if that makes any difference....

 

What are the properties of this icon?

 

when I click on properties it takes me to Internet Options

 

This is mysterious. The icon cannot be deleted in the usual way, so how are you deleting it?

When you right-click the desktop and go to display properties, then Desktop, Customize and uncheck the IE box, are you clicking "Apply" after exiting that dialog box?

 

this may sound strange, but when I go to the customize desktop exactly like you say there are only "OK" and "Cancel" buttons. I tried toggling the box and pressing OK the first time, and just now I tried again (checking the box, unchecking it, and then pressing OK).
And as far as deleting the icon, I just right click on it and click the delete option. It disappears until I pull up the start menu again. (remember I have my desktop icons on my start menu)

 

 
Well, I see what you mean. I put the icon on my desktop and deleted it. I guess I was a couple of OS's or IE's behind on that undeletable idea! It disappeared and the check mark in the display properties was removed. It didn't come back.

The "Apply" button I was talking about isn't in the actual Customize Desktop section, but after you close that dialog, the Apply button is available on the box under that one.

How exactly do you have your desktop icons "hidden" and how was the toolbar you mentioned made? Is this a third-party app?

 

The apply button that you speak of is all greyed out whenever I try to reapply the change

Ok, to hide the desktop icons, right click on the desktop area and go to arrange icons and uncheck "show desktop icons" from there. To show the desktop on the start menu, right click the start bar and go to toolbars and check desktop. Interestingly, if I show desktop icons on the normal desktop area, Internet explorer does not show up, but it still shows up on the start bar representation of the desktop. (hope that made sense) What I want to do is get it off of the **** start bar (not the systray or startbutton menu, just to avoid ambiguity).

In case you are wondering why I have such a weird setup it's because I don't like clutter on top of my wallpaper

Oh yeah, thanks for your help so far

 

Polaris, to de-ambiguity-ize a little more (or to make sure I'm clear or something)

The bottom bar is divided into 3 sections plus the "start" button at far left. Moving from left to right, start button~quickstart menu~minimized icon section~systray.

My understanding is that you have the IE icon in one of those at startup. And that systray isn't the one. So, quickstart or the large, center section where minimized icons live?

And while I'm asking, you don't have the taskbar locked do you?

 

OK. I see how that works now.
The only suggestion I have left, which you probably already tried, is to return your icons to the desktop, hide IE again in Display Properties (and the Apply button ought to be available now to use), and then hide them again.

 

Newt, that solved it!

LOL, I had the taskbar locked! That's what the problem was!!

And, just for thoroughness, I'm going to answer your de-ambiguity question. First off, my start bar is aligned on the left, not the bottom, so it goes top down. From top to bottom, it goes:
Start button
Taskbar (running apps)
Desktop Icons
Systray
Quicklaunch/Clock

I need to just get a screenshot of my desktop.....

Hey this is kind of an unrelated question, does anybody know if you can move the actual start button relative to the start bar, ie. on my list above change it so the startbutton is on the bottom instead of the top? Am I pushing it with this question? (seriously I would like to know)

 

unfortunately.....

After I rebooted, the icon came back is there something else that is saving my desktop settings, maybe?

 

Dowload and install TweakUI. Look under the Desktop tab and you'll find an option to remove the IE icon.