Windows 10: Can't delete Desktop Icons with a right click

I'm in San Antonio - but I know about the ice storm. Hope you're saved from any damage. If you can, please explain in more detail how to do what you explained in the previous post (ShellExView 3rd party extensions have a Company name other than Microsoft. Try enabling them, and use Safe Mode again to see if the context menu still works.) I'm in very unfamiliar territory.

 

In ShellExView, a group if entries were disabled.

Go back and enable them by highlighting the entries, and selecting: File > Enable selected item

Then, go back to Safe Mode, and try the context menu to see if it still works. If it does, then we need to look at something else beside third party extensions.

 

In ShellExView, under Extension Name, do you have this entry: TheDeskTopContextMenu Class

 

Yes, I have it. I missed your request to go back to Safe Mode. Having company tonight and may not be able to do a lot more today - but I'll try. I don't know what Tablet Mode is yet. (NOTE*Smile The Desktop Context Menu is not greyed out (FYI).

 

Please stay with you company, and enjoy them. We are going to regroup a bit.

After using ShellExView, and disabling all 3rd party extensions you tried using the context menu, and it did not work.
However, the context menu worked in Safe Mode.

Let's skip going back to Safe Mode.

Instead, sometimes it is a good idea to refresh Windows 10. A refresh can fix a lot of problems in Windows 10. You can do this, and keep your files.

Please go to Start > Settings > Update and Security > Recovery (left side) > Reset this PC > click: Get Started

Two options are presented: Keep my files and Remove everything.
Click on: Keep my files

Getting things ready lists what programs will be removed. Take note of this. A list should be saved to the Desktop after the refresh is done, but, better be safe than sorry.

In some cases, a prompt appears with a warning that you can NOT go back to Windows 7/8. If you do a refresh and this notice shows, bare this in mind.

In Ready to reset this PC, click: Reset

When done, and you are facing a refreshed system, please try the context menu.

Let us know how it goes.

 

On Tablet Mode...

Click the Notification icon on the far right of the TaskBar for the Action Center to show.

At the bottom left of the Action Center there is a Tablet Mode button.
Is it highlighted, or just like all the other buttons?

 

I'll get back to the Tablet Button when I can. In the meantime, last night I made an image of my drive. Then, I Reset my computer as you instructed. The Context Menu worked after the Reset. However, I didn't know the process would remove the over 100 programs I have. So, I ran the image to restore my computer so I could contact you. The reset is fine - but is there a way I can keep my programs? While I was doing the Reset, a notice showed that certain programs would be removed. That was only 7 programs. But the other 100+ programs are mostly critical to my business. Also, it would take forever to reinstall them. So, here I am asking if you have some advice now that we know a Reset solved the Context Menu problem. PS: I hope you don't have any damage from the ice storm.

 

You may find an in-place repair install has the desired effect. It won't remove any installed programs.
Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade

 

Nisko,

No need to check on Tablet Mode now.

Have no clue as to why the a notice showing programs to be removed only showed seven vs. 100+

If you made an image of your drive, are the business programs included in the image?

 

Yes, I had made an image of my entire drive. I do this at least every two days. This is my backup plan and I have three drives that hold these images. I'm covered there. I've run the Repair Install before but it didn't fix any problems - but, no harm in trying again. It's running now. Will post later when it's done.

 

I would try creating a new user:
Option Three:
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/...a.html#option3

Change the new user account to administrator:
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/...a.html#option1

Log in to the new user account. See if the problem carries over. If the problem exists in the new user account, there is something wrong with your installed Windows. If the problem does not exist in the new user account, then the problem is in your user profile.

 

Nisko,

I debated on whether to use a Repair Install as mentioned above, or a Reset, and decided on the latter, for the same reason you mention. In searching for solutions to this pc's problem, the Reset worked every time.

Had no clue this machine was used for a business, and that it had 100+ programs installed on it. Normally, this situation is made known ahead of time, since dealing with a business computer is not like just dealing with a home computer. FYI, it is important to make this known.

Although it almost made this ol' hound have a heart attack, we're OK!



Thank goodness you have a good backup plan!!!!!

As far as images are concerned, have not made an image of an entire drive in ages. Hopefully, if you need help with the backup image, someone else will jump in and help.

 

Please see the attached file:

I already had a Local Account set up - so I just changed it to an administrator account. I had the same problem with the Desktop Context Menus. But another thing is confusing me: How do I tell if I'm logging on with a Microsoft Account or a Local Account? The attached says that the account "Bob Onysko" is a local account - but I logon on with a Microsoft Account password. But when I used the same password to get to the page (attachment), I received the message at the top and don't know what it means. Could it have something to do with my context menu problem?

 

I forgot to add the referenced file. Here it is:

 

Just noticed that on the attachment, my account is called Bobby. When I log on, it's called Bob Onysko. Looks like I'm having problems distinguishing between a local account and a Microsoft account. Perhaps, at some point, I changed the name of my primary account from Bobby to Bob Onysko - can't remember.