I'm looking for a way to remove the personal and control panel icons from the desktop. I've been able to remove them from the actual desktop, but when I open windows explorer and go to the Desktop, they are still displayed (see image below). I've tried removing the namespace keys from the registry, but they still appear. Does anybody have a clue how to remove these icons?

Here's how: Click Start and type desktop icon into the search box. When Show or hide common icons on the desktop comes up in the results, click it. Uncheck the Control Panel and User's Files checkboxes. -Noel

Hi Noel, Thank for your reply, but that doesn't solve my problem. I already did this and it did hide the icons from the desktop, but it doesn't hide the icons from the "Windows Explorer View" or a File Open Dialog (when clicking the Desktop icon) regards, Floris

Remove them from the Start menu. Right-click the task bar=>select properties=>select Start Menu tab=>select the Customize and select "Don't Display this item" for Control Panel etc. Select OK and close out.

Unfortunately, that also doesn't solve my problem. The links are still displayed when I press the "Desktop" icon on the left.

Did you log off and on again after making the configuration changes? -Noel

Yes, but without result.

Hi, Thanks for posting in Microsoft TechNet Forum. That’s a known bug logged on our bug-check. And our development is investigating the problem right now. If they find any solution, it will improve it by update next time. Thank you for your understanding. Alex Zhao TechNet Subscriber Support in forum If you have any feedback on our support, please contact tnmff@microsoft.com.Please remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.