Internet Explorer Icon Missing from Windows NT 4.0 Desktop

ID: Q155943

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.0, 3.0 for Windows NT 4.0

SYMPTOMS

The Internet Explorer icon no longer appears on the desktop.

RESOLUTION

To restore the Internet Explorer icon to the desktop, use one of the following methods:

Download and Install an Updated Version of Internet Explorer

Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 includes Internet Explorer version 2.0. Newer versions of Internet Explorer that are available provide additional functionality and correct problems with earlier versions.

For additional information about Internet Explorer 3.0, or to obtain Internet Explorer 3.0 for Windows NT 4.0, see the following Microsoft Web site:

   http://www.microsoft.com/ie/

Edit the Registry to Restore the Registry Entry for Internet Explorer

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall Windows NT. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

When the Internet Explorer icon is deleted from the desktop, the registry entry for it is removed. To re-create the registry entry for the Internet Explorer icon, follow these steps:

1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).

2. Add the following subkey to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\

   Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Desktop\NameSpace:

      {FBF23B42-E3F0-101B-8488-00AA003E56F8}

3. For the new key, add the following values:

      Value Name: Default
      Data Type: REG_SZ
      String: The Internet

4. Close Registry Editor and restart your computer.

Create a New Shortcut to Internet Explorer

To create a new Internet Explorer shortcut on the desktop, follow these steps:

1. Click the Start button, point to Find, and then click Files Or Folders.

2. In the Named box, type "iexplore.exe" (without quotation marks). In the

   Look In box, click the drive on which Internet Explorer is installed
   (usually the same drive as Windows NT). Click Find Now.

3. When Iexplore.exe is found, use the right mouse button to drag

   Iexplore.exe from the Find window to the desktop, and then click Create
   Shortcut(s) Here on the menu that appears.

NOTE: The new shortcut does not give you access to the same properties as the original icon. When you use the right mouse button to click the shortcut, you see the options available for standard desktop shortcuts. To access the Internet Explorer properties, double-click the Internet icon in Control Panel.

KBCategory: kbenv kbui KBSubcategory: msient Additional reference words: 2.00 3.00 gone

Keywords          : msient 
Version           : 2.00 3.00
Platform          : WINDOWS

Last Reviewed: September 6, 1997