downloads on desktop

I downloaded a couple of programs, they are on mydesktop on right side, I'd like to get rid of them, I tried dropping to trash, but they won't go, I get an error message # 61-any suggestions? Thanks Van

They might be in use...try rebooting then tossing them in the trash first thing once you restart

Or look in Finder and be sure that you have ejected (unmounted) the disk images from when you downloaded and installed them.

JerrfyLube
The reboot did the trick. Thanks,I'm just getting my feet wet with my iMac, my first Mac. Van

Glad that worked - in the future, you shouldn't have to reboot though - just eject them in the Finder first.