How to Remove Annoying Common Tasks (Details Pane) from Desktop in Windows XP?
Many times Windows XP starts showing common tasks (Details Pane) on Desktop. Normally common tasks are shown in left-side of Windows Explorer window but sometimes the same thing starts showing on Desktop. It becomes very irritating because it overlaps the desktop wallpaper and doesn’t look good.
Its a known bug in Windows XP and it happens when the desktop.htt file entry in registry gets corrupted. Windows XP considers Desktop as a normal folder and shows common tasks on Desktop just like other folders.
Following screenshot shows this bug in action:
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If you are also facing this problem, following solution will help you in fixing the problem:
METHOD A: Using Registry Editor
1. Type regedit in RUN dialog box and press Enter. Now go to:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00021400-0000-0000-C000-000000000046} \shellex\ExtShellFolderViews\{5984FFE0-28D4-11CF-AE66-08002B2E1262}
2. In right-side pane, set value of “PersistMoniker” to:
file://%userappdata%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Desktop.htt
3. That’s it. Log off and log on again. It’ll fix the problem.
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METHOD B: Using Ready-Made Registry Script
1. Download following file, extract it using 7-Zip or any other file archive utility and run the extracted .REG file:
2. Log off and log on again. It’ll fix the problem.
Cannot import C:DOCUME~1\THEQUE~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\Temporary Directory 2 for askvg_desktop_solution.zip\AskVG_Desktop_Solution.reg: Error accessing the registry.
^^ Because you tried to directly run REG file without extracting the ZIP file. First extract the ZIP file and then run REG file.
thank you very much!!!
it worked for me…
i trying to delete common task bar from left 25% of desktop.
your article states “download Zip and use Reg” the only link I can see is
“Download registry script” you say download Zip then extract this but how do I do this.
Sorry a very useless Silver Surfer
^^ Try 7-Zip:
https://www.askvg.com/7-zip-free-and-open-source-file-archive-utility-for-windows-and-linux/
Downloaded 7-zip to my iPad but cannot open from there. I am afraid to go iton register so it will have to stay annoying me.
Thanks for trying to help me.