Handling desktop shortcuts

[RichardOnRails]

Hi,

I'm just starting author computer-based-training courses using a
commercial package. To create screen images for a course, the
software takes screen-shots of the entire screen. I can't narrow its
focus to the particular window I'm interested in presenting. So ...

I'd like a way delete and restore desktop icons in their original
positions. Is there an easy way to do this. Are there Windows-API
functions that handle that (which I could invoke via Window Script
Host or Ruby's WinAPI package)?

I'm running WinXP-Pro/SP3 which is current with Windows Update.

TIA,
Richard

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

message

Hi,

I'm just starting author computer-based-training courses using a
commercial package. To create screen images for a course, the
software takes screen-shots of the entire screen. I can't narrow its
focus to the particular window I'm interested in presenting. So ...

I'd like a way delete and restore desktop icons in their original
positions. Is there an easy way to do this. Are there Windows-API
functions that handle that (which I could invoke via Window Script
Host or Ruby's WinAPI package)?

I'm running WinXP-Pro/SP3 which is current with Windows Update.

TIA,
Richard

No need to run APIs - just press Alt_PrtSc to get a copy of the current
frame.

 

[Twayne]

in message

Hi,

I'm just starting author computer-based-training courses using a
commercial package. To create screen images for a course, the
software takes screen-shots of the entire screen. I can't narrow its
focus to the particular window I'm interested in presenting. So ...

I'd like a way delete and restore desktop icons in their original
positions. Is there an easy way to do this. Are there Windows-API
functions that handle that (which I could invoke via Window Script
Host or Ruby's WinAPI package)?

I'm running WinXP-Pro/SP3 which is current with Windows Update.

TIA,
Richard

You could look into XP's capability of hiding icons. Then they're easy
to bring back when you need them.
Or if you have a desktop manager, create a couple desktops and
populate them as you wish but be SU"RE you don't also change your main
desktop.
You could create different hardware profiles: Each profile can have
its own desktop.
You could create different user accounts. Each user can have their
own desktop.
DO NOT DELETE YOUR ICONS or you'll have a bear of a time getting them
back, and some system icons cannot be deleted. I'd advise either using
different accounts or look for a third party app that'll let you do what
you need.

HTH,

Twayne`

 

[RichardOnRails]

message







No need to run APIs - just press Alt_PrtSc to get a copy of the current
frame.

Hi Pegasus,

Thanks for your response. I think you missed my point. I want all
the shortcut to vanish from my desktop. But later, I want to restore
them all.

Apparently, all the desktop icon are represented by pointers in my
Desktop folder. I propose to:
1. Make a Desktop | Bkup subfolder
2. Move all those ponters to the Bkup subfolder (so no Desktop icons
are visible now.)
3. Perform my mission with a clear Desktop
4. Move all the items in Bkup back to Desktop (so all my icons are
restored in their original position.)

I'm testing it now ... will post back as to whether it meets my
requirements.

Best wishes,
Richard

 

[RichardOnRails]

Hi All,

Twayne led me to the almost perfect solution:
http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/1091/windows-xp-hide-all-desktop-icons/

What would be perfect (so that I would forget how to do this because
I'm a septuagenarian whose memory gets poorer by the minute) is be
able to write a mini-program Switch_Show_Hide that would access the
Desktop/Arrange_Icons_By and click the Show_Desktop_Icons menu item.

Best wishes to all,
Richard

 

[jlimerman]

Hi All,

Twayne led me to the almost perfect solution:http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/1091/windows-xp-hide-all-desktop-icons/

What would be perfect (so that I would forget how to do this because
I'm a septuagenarian whose memory gets poorer by the minute) is be
able to write a mini-program Switch_Show_Hide that would access the
Desktop/Arrange_Icons_By and click the Show_Desktop_Icons menu item.

Best wishes to all,
Richard

Richard, I recently purchased a product from a website that seems to
offer exactly what you are looking for. They offer their products for
a ridiculously low price (I couldn't find there anything that costs
more than $3), so it may worth a try:

http://www.softwarecandy.com/shop/i...uct_free_shipping_info&cPath=2&products_id=92

They call it "Toggle Desktop Icons".

So far I am happy with my purchase, especially when they offer free
upgrades for a year.

Jorgan

 

[RichardOnRails]

Richard, I recently purchased a product from a website that seems to
offer exactly what you are looking for. They offer their products for
a ridiculously low price (I couldn't find there anything that costs
more than $3), so it may worth a try:

http://www.softwarecandy.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_free_sh....

They call it "Toggle Desktop Icons".

So far I am happy with my purchase, especially when they offer free
upgrades for a year.

Jorgan

 

[RichardOnRails]

Richard, I recently purchased a product from a website that seems to
offer exactly what you are looking for. They offer their products for
a ridiculously low price (I couldn't find there anything that costs
more than $3), so it may worth a try:

http://www.softwarecandy.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_free_sh....

They call it "Toggle Desktop Icons".

So far I am happy with my purchase, especially when they offer free
upgrades for a year.

Jorgan

Hi Jorgan,

http://www.softwarecandy.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_free_sh....
They call it "Toggle Desktop Icons".

Thanks for the tip. I prefer to roll-my-own if I can, primarily
because it reduces my exposure to malware. Right now, I'll live with
a couple of mouse-clicks to achieve my goal.

Best wishes,
Richard

 

[Jim]

Hi,

I'm just starting author computer-based-training courses using a
commercial package. To create screen images for a course, the
software takes screen-shots of the entire screen. I can't narrow its
focus to the particular window I'm interested in presenting. So ...

I'd like a way delete and restore desktop icons in their original
positions. Is there an easy way to do this. Are there Windows-API
functions that handle that (which I could invoke via Window Script
Host or Ruby's WinAPI package)?

I'm running WinXP-Pro/SP3 which is current with Windows Update.

TIA,
Richard

Desktop : right click , view , show desktop icons check/uncheck .

 

[RichardOnRails]

Desktop : right click , view , show desktop icons check/uncheck .

Hi Jim,

Thanks. I got that somewhere, probably an earlier post on this
thread.

Best wishes,
Richard

 

[Jim]

Hi Jim,

Thanks. I got that somewhere, probably an earlier post on this
thread.

Best wishes,
Richard

You`re welcome .

 

[Jose]

Hi,

I'm just starting author computer-based-training courses using a
commercial package.  To create screen images for a course, the
software takes screen-shots of the entire screen.  I can't narrow its
focus to the particular window I'm interested in presenting. So ...

I'd like a way delete and restore desktop icons in their original
positions.  Is there an easy way to do this.  Are there Windows-API
functions that handle that (which I could invoke via Window Script
Host or Ruby's WinAPI package)?

I'm running WinXP-Pro/SP3 which is current with Windows Update.

TIA,
Richard

What you see on the desktop is just in a folder that can be
manipulated. Sometimes that is good to know.

Why not just right click the Desktop, Properties, Arrange Icons By,
uncheck Show Desktop Icons.

Nothing to download, no scripts, nothing to copy and paste, nothing to
delete, no profiles...

 

[lila]

Richard, I recently purchased a product from a website that seems to
offer exactly what you are looking for. They offer their products for
a ridiculously low price (I couldn't find there anything that costs
more than $3), so it may worth a try:

http://www.softwarecandy.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_free_sh...

They call it "Toggle Desktop Icons".

So far I am happy with my purchase, especially when they offer free
upgrades for a year.

Jorgan

God I love Google! Like Richard I was looking exactly for this kind of
convenience single keystroke hiding and displaying the desktop icons.
I just downloaded and it makes a world of difference. I can't believe
the ridiculous price they are charging ($2.99) for this great
convenience.

Thanks Jorgan and Richard!
Lila

 

[Jim]

God I love Google! Like Richard I was looking exactly for this kind of
convenience single keystroke hiding and displaying the desktop icons.
I just downloaded and it makes a world of difference. I can't believe
the ridiculous price they are charging ($2.99) for this great
convenience.

Thanks Jorgan and Richard!
Lila

For free right click desktop , view , show desktop icons -
check/uncheck .

 

[lila]

For free right click desktop , view , show desktop icons -
check/uncheck .

Thanks Jim but you missed the point: Too many mouse clicks to get to
this when I hide/unhide desktop icons A LOT in the course of my work.
Using a single keystroke to accomplish this is ingenious IMHO. God
bless Google for helping me finding it.

 

[Bob I]

Thanks Jim but you missed the point: Too many mouse clicks to get to
this when I hide/unhide desktop icons A LOT in the course of my work.
Using a single keystroke to accomplish this is ingenious IMHO. God
bless Google for helping me finding it.

Unless you just put them in a folder on the desktop.

 

[lila]

Unless you just put them in a folder on the desktop.

Yes, this could be workaround if I didn't have a solution, but who
wants to put all desktop icons in a folder??? If I put them they are
no longer *desktop* icons! LOL

If I were very poor I would have gone to great length to avoid this $3
expense but fortunately I am doing just fine.

Again, I cannot praise highly enough the value of this utility (for
me, at least).

BTW, the link above took me to the website, not directly to page where
this utility is described. I am posting the correct link here:

http://www.softwarecandy.com/shop/downloads/hide-desktop-icons

Hope this helps others just like it helped me.

Lila

 

[Jim]

Yes, this could be workaround if I didn't have a solution, but who
wants to put all desktop icons in a folder??? If I put them they are
no longer *desktop* icons! LOL

If I were very poor I would have gone to great length to avoid this $3
expense but fortunately I am doing just fine.

Again, I cannot praise highly enough the value of this utility (for
me, at least).

BTW, the link above took me to the website, not directly to page where
this utility is described. I am posting the correct link here:

http://www.softwarecandy.com/shop/downloads/hide-desktop-icons

Hope this helps others just like it helped me.

Lila

$2.99 per year .

 

[Antares 531]

On Thu, 3 Sep 2009 14:56:17 -0700 (PDT), RichardOnRails

Snip

Hi Pegasus,

Thanks for your response. I think you missed my point. I want all
the shortcut to vanish from my desktop. But later, I want to restore
them all.

Apparently, all the desktop icon are represented by pointers in my
Desktop folder. I propose to:
1. Make a Desktop | Bkup subfolder
2. Move all those ponters to the Bkup subfolder (so no Desktop icons
are visible now.)
3. Perform my mission with a clear Desktop
4. Move all the items in Bkup back to Desktop (so all my icons are
restored in their original position.)

I'm testing it now ... will post back as to whether it meets my
requirements.

Best wishes,
Richard

If I understand your question, you can do this by right clicking on an
open area of the desktop then click on Arrange Icons By, then click
Show Desktop Icons to check or un-check it as desired.

Gordon

 

[lila]

$2.99 per year .

It's true that I got my copy for $2.99 and not $3 as I said earlier
but it has no expiration. In fact it has no copy protection or
activation at all so I can copy it to other computers if I want to.
But for $2.99 why would I want to mar my conscience?

Also, although they provide me free upgrades for one year I don't see
how I am going to use it because it is already working perfectly for
me. Why would I want to upgrade?