When is this actually created? I'd like to know howto delete it on all accounts so even if I make a new account it won't show up on the deskop. It doesn't seem to be a normal shortcut, so I'm not sure howto delete it. Any ideas?

Its some CLSID path, in the HKCU - details available in the Registry Tweaks thread.

To be certain about it, what version of windows is this about?

And do you just intend to remove this IE shortcut on desktop alone, or do you plan to altogether not have links to IE on your installed windows - if you're on win2k/XP, you can use the simpler route (IEaccess=off in [Components]).

Try adding this to your Components section of your winnt.sif:

[Components]

IEAccess="Off"

have u tried...

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ClassicStartMenu]
"{871C5380-42A0-1069-A2EA-08002B30309D}"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel]
"{871C5380-42A0-1069-A2EA-08002B30309D}"=dword:00000001

if so... warning experimental!

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ClassicStartMenu]
"{871C5380-42A0-1069-A2EA-08002B30309D}"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel]
"{871C5380-42A0-1069-A2EA-08002B30309D}"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ClassicStartMenu]
"{871C5380-42A0-1069-A2EA-08002B30309D}"=-
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel]
"{871C5380-42A0-1069-A2EA-08002B30309D}"=-

My Windows is WinXP SP2, and yes I would like to leave Internet Explorer on the machine but I want to remove all links and references to it. I'll try the components thing and see how it goes.

if you're on win2k/XP, you can use the simpler route (IEaccess=off in [Components]).

D'oh! I just read that in your post, prathapml. I hadn't seen it the last time I read through.