strange toolbar on desktop (Win XP Home)

[trebor]

A fellow has a "toolbar" on the left side of his desktop which starts out with "folder options". He is not able to drag and drop files or folders on his desktop. When he tries to do so, his pointer turns into a prohibited sign. But he can use the "toolbar" to copy or move the folder or file. I tried to right click on the tool bar to see if it would show properties or a remove command. No luck. I am attaching a copy of his desktop with the toolbar.

[HansV]

Your friend has an incorrect registry entry that causes Windows to treat the desktop as an ordinary folder. To remove the Common Tasks explorer bar from the desktop, he can go to Troubleshooting Windows XP, Tweaks and Fixes for Windows XP and click link #15 on the left hand side (Remove Common Tasks from the Desktop).

[WyllyWylly]

I wonder if this glitch is where Microsoft came up with the idea to have the sidebar in Longhorn? <img src=/S/laugh.gif border=0 alt=laugh width=15 height=15>

[NYIntensity]

<img src=/S/laugh.gif border=0 alt=laugh width=15 height=15>
I was just scoping out Longhorn (my friend's father is "in the know" so to speak....told me about a few things) and I saw the sidebar...I wonder if it will remain there when you open a program, or just while you're on the desktop? I don't see it being particularly useful...just "new", although pretty much everything looks the same... <img src=/S/igiveup.gif border=0 alt=igiveup width=31 height=23>