How to Add or Remove Homegroup Desktop Icon in Windows 8 and 8.1

A homegroup is a group of PCs on a home network that can share devices (such as printers), and libraries (such as your Documents, Pictures, Music, and Video libraries). Using a homegroup makes sharing easier. Your homegroup is protected with a password, which you can change at any time.
This tutorial will show you how to add or remove the Homegroup desktop icon for only your user account in Windows 8 and 8.1.
This tutorial will show you how to add or remove the Homegroup desktop icon for only your user account in Windows 8 and 8.1.

If you are only getting the Homegroup desktop icon randomly showing on your desktop, then you could try this below instead to quickly remove it.
A) If you don't use homegroup at all, then you could stop and disable the HomeGroup Listener and HomeGroup Provider services, and restart the computer.
OR
B) Refresh (F5) your desktop.
OR
C) Turn the Network desktop icon on, apply, off, OK.
OR
D) Step 3 in the tutorial below.
A) If you don't use homegroup at all, then you could stop and disable the HomeGroup Listener and HomeGroup Provider services, and restart the computer.
OR
B) Refresh (F5) your desktop.
OR
C) Turn the Network desktop icon on, apply, off, OK.
OR
D) Step 3 in the tutorial below.
EXAMPLE: Homegroup desktop icon

Here's How:

The .reg files below are for the registry keys and value below.
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel
AND
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ClassicStartMenu
{B4FB3F98-C1EA-428d-A78A-D1F5659CBA93} DWORD
0 = Add
1 = Remove
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel
AND
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ClassicStartMenu
{B4FB3F98-C1EA-428d-A78A-D1F5659CBA93} DWORD
0 = Add
1 = Remove
1. Do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.
2. To Add Homegroup Desktop Icon
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below, and go to step 4 below.
Add_Homegroup_Desktop_Icon.reg
3. To Remove Homegroup Desktop Icon
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .reg file below, and go to step 4 below.
Remove_Homegroup_Desktop_Icon.reg
4. Save the .reg file to your desktop.
5. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
6. If prompted, click on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
7. Refresh (F5) your desktop to apply.
8. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
Related Tutorials
- How to Add or Remove Default Desktop Icons in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Add or Remove Internet Explorer Desktop Icon in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Add or Remove Libraries Desktop Icon in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Create a Homegroup in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Join a Homegroup in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Leave a Homegroup in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Allow or Prevent your PC to Join a Homegroup in Windows 7 and Windows 8
- How to View the Homegroup Password in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Change Homegroup Password in Windows 8 and 8.1
- "Share with" and "Stop Sharing" Files and Folders on a Network or Shared PC in Windows 8
- How to Change Homegroup Sharing Settings in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Create a "HomeGroup Settings" Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1
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