Preventing Icons from being created on XP Desktop

  • Thread starter Thread starter Kirk
  • Start date Start date
K

Kirk

I have two computers that I use at work that both run a startup batch
file. This batch file automatically maps drives, changes system
settings, etc. However, this batch file also creates a couple of icons
to programs that I will never use. This was done by our network admin,
and he refuses to remove this from the batch file.

If I delete the icons from my desktop, they will be automatically
recreated the next time I start the computer(s). I have tried locking
the desktop (Right-click, Arrange Icons By, Lock Web Items on Desktop),
but this did not work. I do NOT want to use Active Desktop, if
possible.

Is there any way to "lock down" the desktop so that icons cannot be
created?

Thanx in advance.
 
Kirk said:
I have two computers that I use at work that both run a startup batch
file. This batch file automatically maps drives, changes system
settings, etc. However, this batch file also creates a couple of icons
to programs that I will never use. This was done by our network admin,
and he refuses to remove this from the batch file.

If I delete the icons from my desktop, they will be automatically
recreated the next time I start the computer(s). I have tried locking
the desktop (Right-click, Arrange Icons By, Lock Web Items on Desktop),
but this did not work. I do NOT want to use Active Desktop, if
possible.

Is there any way to "lock down" the desktop so that icons cannot be
created?

Thanx in advance.
Click to expand...
I'm wondering if it would be possible to accomplish this by setting the
desktop not to show icons (you would set that before shutting down).
Arrange Icons By/Show Desktop Icons (uncheck)

??? Maybe ???
 
Hey KB, thanks for your quick response.

Unfortunately, changing this setting did not help me. First off, I DO
still want to see my other icons on the desktop (I just want to prevent
new ones from being added). Secondly, even with this unchecked, it
still created the icon when I turned "Show Desktop Icons" back on after
restarting.

I would appreciate any further suggestions you might have.
Thanx,
Kirk
 
If the Icons use static names, then just add a User Policy for your
account to run a Login script that simply removes the offending icons.
 
That sounds like a decent idea. However, I am not really a "admin"
type and don't know how to do what you describe.

I created a batch file that I correctly removes the offending icons (by
filename), but I can't seem to have it run on startup.

If it's not too complicated, could you give me a quick runthrough of
how to do what you describe?

Feel free to mock my ineXPerience in your reply. ;-)
 
Gladly - If you already have your batch then here is how to set it up.
Actually, you could simply create a shortcut to the batch and add it
to your Startup folder ( to run Minimized ). Anyway, you'll want to
run the Policy snap-in
Click Start, Run (Type) Gpedit.Msc [Enter]
Maximize the view (Small window by default)
Left Pane, locate Windows Settings - click the +
In the expanded view you'll see Scripts (Logon/Logoff) Click it.
In the Right Pane, Double-Click Logon
When the configuration box opens, Click Add
Browse to your Batch file and select it.
Then just OK out to the Group Policy home view & Exit
 
Thanks for the detailed walkthrough! Unfortunately, it did not work
properly. I was wondering if it is because of the execution order of
the batch files. Is it possible that new policy I created is executing
first, and then the network one creates the icon afterwards?

I suppose I could modify the my file to throw something else on the
desktop (as a way of verifying that it is executing at all). ???

Again, thanks for your suggestions & help!
 
Perhaps the ordering is the issue. I would probably create a shortcut
to your batch and add it to the Startup Program group. Right click the
shortcut and modify it's properties to run minimized and try that.
 
That worked well! Thanks again for your multiple suggestions &
replies!

On a side note, it's frustrating that there is not a simpler method for
preventing this in the first place - locking the desktop to
additions/changes.

Thanks again!
 
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