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Cannot Unpin Uninstalled Program from Taskbar

Anonymous
2009-07-24T04:01:50+00:00

I uninstalled a program that had an icon on the taskbar.  Now that the program is uninstalled, I cannot remove the icon.  My first inclination was to do what you always do to remove an icon from the taskbar, right click the icon and click "Unpin this program from taskbar".  However, you cannot right click this icon.  Left clicking the icon generates the error message: "Problem with Shortcut: This action is only valid for products that are currently installed."

It seems that the only way to remove this icon is to do so manually through the Windows Explorer.  I cannot find the directory that contains the shortcut.  Does such a directory exist or must I take additional steps outside the GUI? 

Windows 7 RC Build 7100.

Help great appreciated!

PS: Yes, I have restarted my computer!

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Anonymous
2009-07-25T00:31:12+00:00

Update:  I have solved the issue.  I uninstalled the application and then reinstalled the application.  For some reason the option to "Unpin from Taskbar" was now available on the shortcut when it had not been before.  Strange behavior, but it is now fixed.

Thank you for the suggestions.  This is a good resource for Windows issues.

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-07-15T22:46:05+00:00

    When this happened to me I simply unlocked the task bar then double clicked the icon and windows its self noticed that it was no longer attached to anything and offered me the ability to remove it. should be that simple!

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-02-24T05:57:03+00:00

    I resolved it without having to install/uninstall the apps again. Simply click on the uninstalled application's shortcut/icon showing as white rectangle on Task bar. Windows will prompt you that the app no longer exists and will ask you to remove the shortcut click YES - that it, at least it worked in my case.

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  3. Anonymous
    2009-07-24T12:40:32+00:00

    Sounds like you have locked the taskbar. If no help, I would try Error Checking your drive. Rightclick the drive icon in Explorer, Properties, Tools tab.

    Rating posts helps other usersMark L. Ferguson MS-MVP

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  4. Anonymous
    2009-07-24T16:25:50+00:00

    I would suggest you reinstall whatever it was, unpin it from the start menu then uninstall it again....  I had a quick look in the registry and couldn't see a key that held all my stuff pinned to the taskbar.    I also pinned and unpinned several programs, then looked for a file modification in that time span... nothing.  It's well hidden!  So a quick google found C:\Users(User-Name)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar

    More Info hereAnnoying that it didn't show up in my search...

    Never ever approach a computer saying or even thinking "I will just do this quickly".

    My hangouts Format and Reload or Windrivers

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