Uncluttered desktop in Vista

[Ric]

I like to use my desktop only for documents and files that I am actively
working on and I don't like it cluttered with other icons such as "My
Computer".

With XP, I could use TweakUI to easily hide "My Computer", "Recycle bin",
plus others that some third party software insists on hard-wiring into the
desktop.

But TweakUI does not work on Vista - so is there an inbuilt way to hide
irrelevant system icons but still allow the desktop to be used for work in
progress?

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

Right click the desktop, choose personalize. In the left column, click the
line to "change desktop icons" and deselect those you do not wish to see.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

 

[Ric]

Thanks - already tried that - it does not get rid of My Computer or some of
the other persistent icons that are installed (for example) by my PDA. It
was possible on XP - so surely it can be done on Vista?

 

[Lori]

I always just delete the icons I don't want (none in my case - I hate a lot
of icons on the desktop). Only one I leave is the recycle bin - everything
else goes into the bin and is deleted. It only deletes the icon/shortcut,
not the program.

Lori

 

[Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]]

The Desktop Cleanup wizard is not in Vista anymore, you have to do it
manually now. People found it annoying, so Microsoft removed it.

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

All you have to do is create a folder in your start menu for the icons you
want out of the way, and move the icons into it..

 

[Guest]

I like to use my desktop only for documents and files that I am actively
working on and I don't like it cluttered with other icons such as "My
Computer".

Not that this might help but I hate looking through the Start Program list
for anything since THAT is so disorganized and cluttered. So I'd rather have
the links I want on the desktop. To avoid another clutter situation I create
desktop folders for things like System Tools, Office Programs, Graphic
Programs etc.

 

[Julian Richards]

Not that this might help but I hate looking through the Start Program list
for anything since THAT is so disorganized and cluttered. So I'd rather have
the links I want on the desktop. To avoid another clutter situation I create
desktop folders for things like System Tools, Office Programs, Graphic
Programs etc.

You beat me to the punch on this. I go for a similar option and it
works well, especially when opening a folder usually gives the tools
needed for a certain project together.
--

Julian Richards

www.richardsuk.f9.co.uk
Website of "Robot Wars" middleweight "Broadsword IV"

 

[safyrejet]

This may sound odd but I actually have the opposite problem. I can't figure
out how to stop Vista from remove icons from my desktop. There is one in
particular that disappears every now and then when I resume from screensaver
mode. (usually happens about twice a week) It's not one that I use alot but
I want it there. I have to go through about 15-20 steps of 'undo delete' by
right clicking on the desktop to get it back. I haven't been able to figure
out where the file gets sent because the file path gets cut off in the moving
file message box and I haven't been able to find it in the recycle bin. If
there is no desktop clean up in Vista what could be removing icons from my
desktop of it's own free will?