How to hide desktop icons throug registry

[vulpios]

Hello!

Is there any way to hide desktop icons using the regedit tool?
Plus, is there any way to disable Automatic System Restore using regedit tool?
Or else, is there any doc or pdf with registry tweaks for windows 7?

I need this things because I work on a factory and we have an automated windows 7 installation with an unnatended configuration file. This installation cames with our softwares stress tests and meantimes they perfom automatic reboots without any user interaction.

After the stress period (programmed time) our software configure itself to enter in a phase we call Final Tests and in that phase have user interaction. That's why we want to take off all desktop icons. I know that the user can access everything wich are not in desktop by other means.

Thanks in advance.

 

[sergiogarcia9]

Isnt it just more simple to right click the desktop, go to view and uncheck "Show desktop Icons"?

 

[vulpios]

Well, like I said. We have an autommated windows 7 installation without user interaction. Did you read all post?

 

[TGSoldier]

I read your post...

Question...

WHY?

 

[vulpios]

Well, in the Final Tests phase there are many "dumb" users to do the tests (like Ford's concept) and if we can difficult access to anything on the machine it will help.

The system restore is because sometimes (that's right, sometimes) on automated reboots (by our software) the system just crash and came into the automated restore mode and restart all process.

Thanks.

 

[vulpios]

Oh i forget to mention... we do that in 4000 machines a day. that is really why we need this on automatic way

 

[usch65]

Well, there is an Option in Win7 that lets you hide all Desktop-Icons:
Right-Click on a free spot of your Desktop and there chose - View --> Show Desktop Icons

I don't know if there is a possibility to make this permanently in a Reg.Code... you maybe have to compare the Reg after setting this option...

 

[vulpios]

Ok but you know wich keys I have to compare ?

 

[usch65]

Not exactly...
I just have use a tool like "Regshot 1.8.1" to compare it... it seams it is this Key:
HKU\S-1-5-21-4135725843-1723146485-808110751-1000\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\HideIcons: 0x00000000
HKU\S-1-5-21-4135725843-1723146485-808110751-1000\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\HideIcons: 0x00000001

By 0x00000001 it hides the Icons I think!

 

[kintomaniac]

Not exactly...
I just have use a tool like "Regshot 1.8.1" to compare it... it seams it is this Key:
HKU\S-1-5-21-4135725843-1723146485-808110751-1000\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\HideIcons: 0x00000000
HKU\S-1-5-21-4135725843-1723146485-808110751-1000\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\HideIcons: 0x00000001

By 0x00000001 it hides the Icons I think!

i have different numbers
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-187737345-1335782926-1579650812-1000.
i used this


Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"HideIcons"=dword:00000001

 

[usch65]

i have different numbers
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-187737345-1335782926-1579650812-1000.
...

Yes... I thought so.
(This Number, I guess, is specific for the User and Computer you use)
I was just looking for any Pointing/Hint on a Reg.-Name of this option...

...
i used this

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
"HideIcons"=dword:00000001

And this is the Reg.-Key for general Users and works with all Accounts?!

 

[kintomaniac]

And this is the Reg.-Key for general Users and works with all Accounts?!

no its just for the current user

 

[usch65]

no its just for the current user

I'm getting old... "[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\..." ...

 

[Antman]

I'm getting old...

Shhh.. it happens.

 

[vulpios]

kintomaniac: I tried the key you mentioned and don't work, even if I restart or logoff they (icons) still there! Thank you anyway!

Thanks for your reply Usch65 but it seems the key you mentioned "HKU\S-1-5-21-4..." changes according user. Here my key is different. Even with different key (HKU\S-1-5-21-747723790-1272229472-943324645-500) I manually changed the hideicons value to 1 (0x00000001) and the icons on desktop are still there, but the funny thing is the option in context menu is unchecked, so i tried a logoff and then WORKS!!! I think this key will be the same for all of my machines because the user on automated installation is administrator, but i will do more tests with different machines to see if it changes!!!

Thank you!!!

 

[vulpios]

Ooh i will try and keep you updated!!

 

[usch65]

I manually changed the hideicons value to 1 (0x00000001) and the icons on desktop are still there,...

Yes, you need to log-off before changes take effect.

One more Idea... there is a part in the Reg.-String with ".Default" -"HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer..." - maybe to put the Reg.-Key in there works better?! (Just a guess)

 

[vulpios]

.DEFAULT doesn't work (I tried), I think it is because you create some type of conflict... I just guessing

 

[Delphin]

If you just don't want any icons on the users desktop delete all the icons from the default profile's desktop

You just want to hide icons, put this script View attachment desktop.zip in all users startup.

keep us informed

 

[vulpios]

Hi Guys!!

I'm back with news!

The first test i've made with user key that USCH65 talked about "HKU\S-1-5-21-4..." doesn't work because this key change for all installations.

So, i've tried changing the key HideIcons on HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Currentversion\Explorer\Advanced to 0x00000001 and this works fine on second boot. I've created a .reg file to do that.

I also tried the desktop.vbs file that Delphin sent and works fine too. I've created a key name hidedesktop with the value "cscript c:\\desktop.vbs" on HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run and this works after the second boot.

So thank you so much guys!!
You now can consider this thread resolved!

I will keep trying to find the another question i've made in this thread regarding System restore configuration!

Thanks again!