Delete shortcuts

[John Doe]

I need some help how to remove all shortcuts from the desktop and the start menu.

Can it be done with a cmd file?

Thanks

[Astalavista]

pls read http://unattended.msfn.org this has already been covered before.

this is a very simple batch command.

DEL "%AllUsersProfile%\Desktop\*.lnk"

pls use the search function in the future

[sixpack]

1- Icon Issues.

After you finish installing all your apps, there are nine locations at which you need to have a look for shortcuts and shortcut folders you want to delete:

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Start Menu\

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Start Menu\Programs\

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop\

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\

(I assume you log in as the Administrator.)

These are examples:

--------------------------

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\

- Ad-aware 6.0.lnk

- Ad-watch 3.0.lnk

- FlashGet.lnk

del "%USERSPROFILE%\Desktop\Ad-aware 6.0.lnk"

del "%USERSPROFILE%\Desktop\Ad-watch 3.0.lnk"

del %USERSPROFILE%\Desktop\FlashGet.lnk

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Start Menu\

- I can't see any.lnk 

del "%USERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\I can't see any.lnk"

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Start Menu\Programs\

- Internet Explorer.lnk

- Windows Media Player.lnk

- Remote Assistance.lnk

del "%USERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Internet Explorer.lnk"

del "%USERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Windows Media Player.lnk"

del "%USERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Remote Assistance.lnk"

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\

- I can't see any.lnk 

del "%USERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\I can't see any.lnk"

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\

-Windows Media Player.lnk

del "%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Windows Media Player.lnk"

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop\

- Adobe Reader 6.0.lnk

- Mozilla.lnk

- QuickTime Player.lnk

- DAEMON Tools.lnk

del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Desktop\Adobe Reader 6.0.lnk"

del %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Desktop\Mozilla.lnk

del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Desktop\QuickTime Player.lnk"

del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Desktop\DAEMON Tools.lnk"

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\

- New Office Document.lnk

- Open Office Document.lnk

- Set Program Access and Defaults.lnk

- Windows Catalog.lnk

- Windows Update.lnk

del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\New Office Document.lnk"

del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Open Office Document.lnk"

del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Set Program Access and Defaults.lnk"

del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Windows Catalog.lnk"

del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Windows Update.lnk"

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\

- Adobe Reader 6.0.lnk

- MSN Messenger 6.2.lnk

- PrintMe Internet Printing (shortcut folder)

- WinZip (shortcut folder)

del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Adobe Reader 6.0.lnk"

del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\MSN Messenger 6.2.lnk"

RD /S /Q "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\PrintMe Internet Printing"

RD /S /Q "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\WinZip"

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\

- InstallRite.lnk

del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\InstallRite.lnk"

As you can see, some apps install for the current user (the log-in user) and others install for all users (per machine).

So, you'll probably use both variables: %USERSPROFILE% and %ALLUSERSPROFILE%.

If the above examples are applicable to your situation, then you should plan to add these lines to your batch file for a future installation:

QUOTE 

del "%USERSPROFILE%\Desktop\Ad-aware 6.0.lnk"

del "%USERSPROFILE%\Desktop\Ad-watch 3.0.lnk"

del %USERSPROFILE%\Desktop\FlashGet.lnk

del "%USERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Internet Explorer.lnk"

del "%USERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Windows Media Player.lnk"

del "%USERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Remote Assistance.lnk"

del "%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\Windows Media Player.lnk"

del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Desktop\Adobe Reader 6.0.lnk"

del %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Desktop\Mozilla.lnk

del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Desktop\QuickTime Player.lnk"

del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Desktop\DAEMON Tools.lnk"

del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\New Office Document.lnk"

del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Open Office Document.lnk"

del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Set Program Access and Defaults.lnk"

del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Windows Catalog.lnk"

del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Windows Update.lnk"

del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Adobe Reader 6.0.lnk"

del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\MSN Messenger 6.2.lnk"

RD /S /Q "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\PrintMe Internet Printing"

RD /S /Q "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\WinZip"

del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\InstallRite.lnk"

However, the following strings can be replaced with this one:

del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\*.lnk"

QUOTE 

del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\New Office Document.lnk"

del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Open Office Document.lnk"

del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Set Program Access and Defaults.lnk"

del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Windows Catalog.lnk"

del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Windows Update.lnk"

2- Registry Issues.

1- Links: Some applications get integrated to Explorer shell by default or on purpose. If this is the case, I think there is no need for those apps to have links in Windows Explorer Toolbar or Internet Explorer Toolbar. Also, there are useless links.

Toolbar links are found under this registry tree:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar

Examples:

- Norton AntiVirus (Pro 2004 English Version)

REG DELETE "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar" /v {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} /f

- FlashGet Bar (needs more testing!)

REG DELETE "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar" /v {E0E899AB-F487-11D5-8D29-0050BA6940E3} /f

- Discuss Button

REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar" /v ShowDiscussionButton /t REG_SZ /d No /f

2- Run: Some applications start with Windows and reside in memory. If those apps are integrated to the shell or are not used frequently by you , I think there is no need for those apps to start with your machine occupying a portion of memory.

Locations of "Run" strings in your Registry are here:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Examples:

- Winamp Agent

REG DELETE HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run /v WinampAgent /f

- QuickTime Task

REG DELETE HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run /v "QuickTime Task" /f

- Mozilla Quick Launch

REG DELETE HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run /v "Mozilla Quick Launch" /f

- Internet Download Manager

REG DELETE HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run /v IDMan /f

Special Case:

- MSN Messenger

You can prevent MSN Messenger from starting with Windows by executing these commands from your batch file:

REG DELETE HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run /v MsnMsgr /f

REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Messenger\Client /v PreventAutoRun /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Since the default value data is 0, you change it to 1.

If the above examples are applicable to your situation, then you should plan to add these lines to your batch file for a future installation:

QUOTE 

REG DELETE "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar" /v {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} /f

REG DELETE "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar" /v {E0E899AB-F487-11D5-8D29-0050BA6940E3} /f

REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar" /v ShowDiscussionButton /t REG_SZ /d No /f

REG DELETE HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run /v WinampAgent /f

REG DELETE HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run /v "QuickTime Task" /f

REG DELETE HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run /v "Mozilla Quick Launch" /f

REG DELETE HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run /v IDMan /f

REG DELETE HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run /v MsnMsgr /f

REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Messenger\Client /v PreventAutoRun /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

You're advised to make those strings be the latest commands executed by your batch.

[John Doe]

Thanks!

but why can`t i use this command:

del c:\windows\document and settings\all users\*.* ?

[Astalavista]

del c:\windows\document and settings\all users\*.* ?

huh?

i suggest that u go visit http://unattended.msfn.org

unless u modified your installation, there is no such location.

[John Doe]

ooops I have a swedish version, that explains all my problems...

[Astalavista]

it doesn't matter if it is suwahili xp is setup the same way.

go to run

then type

set

post the results here

[John Doe]

it doesn't matter if it is suwahili xp is setup the same way.

go to run

then type

set

post the results here

can`t find file...

and by the way, I can`t use this commands:

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Start Menu\

I have to use this (in Swedish)

C:\Documents and Settings\Administratör\Skrivbord

C:\Documents and Settings\Administratör\Start-meny

Thanks for all the help!

[Astalavista]

go to start

type

cmd

type

set

loOk