Outdated: Removing Google Desktop Icon - GoogleDesktop.exe

This section provides a tutorial example on how to remove 'Google Desktop Icon - GoogleDesktop.exe'.

Symptom: Google desktop icon showing in the system start bar. It takes a good amount memory. If use Windows Task Manager, you will see:

GoogleDesktop.exe        4,444K
GoogleDesktopCrawl.exe   4,788K
GoogleDesktopIndes.exe   7,140K

HijackThis Report: In the report, I saw this line:

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Google Desktop Search] 
   "C:\Program Files\Google\Google Desktop Search\GoogleDesktop.exe"
   /startup

Quick Research: No need to search the Web. GoogleDesktop is well known tool. But we want to remove it to free up memory and CPU.

What I Did:

1. Went to Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs, and removed GoogleDesktop.

2. Restarted the computer.

Result: GoogleDesktop is gone.

Table of Contents

 About This Book

 Introduction to Microsoft Windows

 Introduction to Windows Explorer

 Introduction to Internet Explorer

 "Paint" Program and Computer Graphics

 GIMP - GNU Image Manipulation Program

 JPEG Image File Format Quality and Size

 GIF Image File Format and Transparent Background

 "WinZip" - ZIP File Compression Tool

 "WinRAR" - RAR and ZIP File Compression Tool

 FTP Server, Client and Commands

 "FileZilla" - Free FTP Client and Server

 Web Server Log Files and Analysis Tool - "Analog"

 Spyware Adware Detection and Removal

 IE Addon Program Listing and Removal

 Vundo (VirtuMonde/VirtuMundo) - vtsts.dll Removal

 Trojan and Malware "Puper" Description and Removal

 VSToolbar (VSAdd-in.dll) - Description and Removal

 Spybot - Spyware Blocker, Detection and Removal

 Setting Up and Using Crossover Cable Network

 Home Network Gateway - DSL Modem/Wireless Router

 Windows Task Manager - The System Performance Tool

 "tasklist" Command Line Tool to List Process Information

 "msconfig" - System Configuration Tool

 Configuring and Managing System Services

 Windows Registry Key and Value Management Tools

 Startup Programs Removal for Better System Performance

 Winsock - Windows Sockets API

 Java on Windows

 Glossary of Terms

Outdated Tutorials

 Outdated: "HijackThis" - Spyware and Browser Hijacker Detector

 Outdated: Removing deSrcAs.dll - MyWay Search Assistant

Outdated: Removing Google Desktop Icon - GoogleDesktop.exe

 Outdated: Removing IE Default Search Settings

 Outdated: Removing IE Addon "winfixer"

 Outdated: Removing Yahoo! IE Services Button - yiesrvc.dll

 Outdated: Removing MySearch Toolbar - S4BAR.DLL

 Outdated: Removing NetZero Toolbar - Toolbar.dll

 Outdated: Removing Windows Messenger Extra Button

 References

 Full Version in PDF/ePUB