How to delete invalid desktop shortcut

[philrock]

I recently uninstalled a program. I had put a shortcut for it on the desktop. After the uninstall, the shortcut remained. I tried to delete it and could not - Windows says: Cannot delete file: Cannot read from the source file or disk. Under its properties, Windows says: This is not a valid shortcut.

How do I get rid of this shortcut?

 

[Deak]

I recently had something like this happen to me! It ended up that I could drag & drop it into my Recycle Bin. This finally got rid of it for me! Maybe it will work for you.

 

[linney]

Have you rebooted, if so, can you remove it from Safe Mode?

 

[edfair]

Or by deleting it via command prompt?

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[Davetoo]

Or, recreate the folder/filename that the shortcut thinks it's pointing to then try to delete it.

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.
The poster formerly known as lander215

 

[philrock]

Thanks guys,

I pretty much ignored the problem for a couple of days. After a few reboots the shortcuts just disappeared on their own. Go figure.