how do I remove a desktop icon that says can not be deleted because of a copyright or in use!?

Answer 1

depends on what kind of file it is - is it exe.(programs) , dat.(Documents) , picture, music. most of the if you go the add or remove programs in the control panel you should be able to remove it. if there is riskier thing that can be done if your sure this file is a not part of the PC core files. follow this; start-run- type in regedit-click ok- opens regedit- edit-find -type in the name of the file -click find on the right side it pull up file name - right click and delete (this can not be reversed make sure this what you want ,technically you can). before this you might want got the original source or folder that this is under try to delete it there. you can do that by searching the files and folders (name of the file)
hope this will help

Answer 2

I would suggest you right-click on the icon and select Properties. That will tell you if it is a shortcut or an application. It will also give you the path. Be sure it is not something you need.

If you are sure you don't need it, you might try deleting it in Safe Mode.

To start the computer in safe mode
1. You should print these instructions before continuing. They will not be available after you shut your computer down in step 2.
2. Click Start and then click Shut Down.
3. In the drop-down list of the Shut Down Windows dialog box, click Restart, and then click OK.
4. As your computer restarts but before Windows launches, press F8.
On a computer that is configured for booting to multiple operating systems, you can press F8 when the boot menu appears.
5. Use the arrow keys to highlight the appropriate safe mode option, and then press ENTER.
6. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, choose the installation that you need to access using the arrow keys, and then press ENTER.

Note
•If Windows launches before you can choose a safe mode, restart your computer and try again.
•In safe mode, you have access to only basic files and drivers (mouse, monitor, keyboard, mass storage, base video, default system services, and no network connections). You can choose the Safe Mode with Networking option, which loads all of the above files and drivers and the essential services and drivers to start networking, or you can choose the Safe Mode with Command Prompt option, which is exactly the same as safe mode except that a command prompt is started instead of the graphical user interface. You can also choose Last Known Good Configuration, which starts your computer using the registry information that was saved at the last shutdown.

Source: http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/boot_failsafe.mspx?mfr=true

Answer 3

if its "in use" close the program and then delete it. It should go away at that point.

Copyright? Never seen that used as a reason NOT to delete it. Are you sure you are reading the entire dialog box when it comes up?

Answer 4

Totally uninstall the program or you can go to My Computer and go to desktop from the pull down menu and delete it from there.

Answer 5

Because its probablies in use by the system or some other program. Use add/remove progs in the control panel to remove the program altogether.

Answer 6

Try restarting your computer, and then deleting the icon first thing on the reboot.

Answer 7

First what is the icon? Second what folders are behind the icon that have to be cleaned manually.

Answer 8

restart ur computer and try again, if that doesn't work, put it in a folder and delete that folder.

Answer 9

well go to control panel. then go to programs then go to uninstall program

Answer 10

i think you have to un install it, or maybe someone else on the cpu is using it