Homegroup icon suddenly appeared

[perplexed]

After one of the latest security update of Windows 8.1 a Homegroup icon suddenly appeared on my desktop. Never had it before and it won't let me delete it.
How do I get rid of it?

I did a search and I think it said use f5 key and it took it off but after a restart and another update it came back so I hit f5 again and it is gone but I know it will be back.

Thanks!

[Murf]

Open Control Panel > Personalization

Desktop Icons Tab
check and uncheck the Network checkbox, Click apply and Exit

If it comes back then:

Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center

Open Advanced Sharing Settings

Check Turn off network sharing

Comes back then

Control Panel > Folder Options > View Tab

Uncheck Use Sharing Wizard > Apply

Now check it back and hit apply

Now if you do not use Homegroup then you could open Service Manager or services.msc and disable Homegroup Listener and Homegroup Provider service. Change their start up types from Manual to Disable

Note: A homegroup is a group of PCs on a home network that can share files and printers. Using a homegroup makes sharing easier. You can share pictures, music, videos, documents, and printers with other people in your homegroup.

[perplexed]

Thanks so much,
may I ask is spider still around??

[Murf]

Haven't seen Spider in a couple of years, really don't know what happened to him. He actually joined CTH about the same time as I did, but has not been around, to my knowledge since 2014.

[perplexed]

oh okay thanks so much, all of you do such an outstanding job here and I know you give of your time and talents to help all of us who come here.

I see appearance and personalization after that I do not see desktop icons.

[Murf]

Right click anywhere on the desktop then to Personalization

Now click on Themes in the left panel

Right panel Desktop Icons