Minimize to desktop...?

[PsaltyDS]

Someone called to ask me about a problem that I have never seen, but his description nags at the back of my mind like I've heard it before:

Any app for which the minimize button is clicked (notepad and Excel were tried as examples) will minimize to the desktop vice the task bar. Somehow that behavior has become default on his Win 2003 Standard server.

How would you set that behavior, and more to the point, restore the normal minimize to task bar?

[PsaltyDS]

Im thinking "W32.Friendgreet.worm"

Open 'Control Panel' and select 'Add/Remove Programs'. Check for the program entries

of WinSrvReg and Friend Greetings. If found, uninstall the program

and reboot.

EDIT: Entry may also be called 'FG'

Or for a more detailed removal method:

Symantecs Removal Instructions

I'll have them look, but I don't see the minimize to desktop symptom in there - what would lead you to believe it was that?

[DW1]

Very common issue.

Search in google for "Friend greetings minimize" or "WinSrv Reg minimize" etc.

Odds are, this will be the culprit.

The symptoms you describe, I have only seen due to this issue. Most likely 'WinSrv Reg' probably as a result of "Friend greetings".