Clean desktop, no icons - howto

fafhrd

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If you have your theme and wallpaper all set up and don't want your desktop cluttered with icons, try this:

Modify or create this registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\HideIcons
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 1

You can still have sidebar gadgets, or the excellent Rainmeter skins.

If everything is perfect, and you don't want anything to change, you can lockdown your desktop with:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\NoDesktop
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 1

Turn off these registry modifications by changing the value to 0.

Your desktop folder will still behave as before, and you can add it to your taskbar, as a new toolbar for easy access.

Here's my netbook desktop (Windows 7 STARTER) with very basic mods
NETDESK.png
Mods: StarDock MyColors, RainMeter Gnometer, Wallpaper from Year of the Rabbit theme (MS)
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win 7 Ult + Starter, XP Pro +Home, 2kAS, Linu...AMD 64 Athlon X2 , Intel Atom N450, Intel Cel...2.5GB ; 1GB; 2GBNvidia GeForce7000m; Intel; Intel
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Acer 7520, Packard Bell dot se, Acer travelmate 2423
OS
Win 7 Ult + Starter, XP Pro +Home, 2kAS, Linux Mint 8, SuperOS
CPU
AMD 64 Athlon X2 , Intel Atom N450, Intel Celeron M 1.50 Ghz
Motherboard
Acer Fuquene
Memory
2.5GB ; 1GB; 2GB
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia GeForce7000m; Intel; Intel
Sound Card
Realtek AC57
Monitor(s) Displays
17" ;10.1"; 19"
Screen Resolution
1440x900;1024x600;1440x900;
Hard Drives
WD 80, WD 320;
PSU
19v
Case
Laptop
Cooling
Air
Internet Speed
9.7Mb/s down 0.99Mb/s up
Other Info
ISP VIRGINMEDIA 10M cable broadband - D-Link DIR615 wireless router, 3Com OfficeConnect ASDL router used as wireless extender switch
I do not understand why it should be done so complicated? Simply right click an empty spot on desktop, and turn desktop icons on or off. No need to edit registry, no need to lock desktop. Takes 2 seconds to turn icons on or off as you wish.

Show_desktop_icons.png

Here's my dual screen desktop with vertical taskbar,, never combine small icons, with Quick Launch with big icons:

Desktop_22032011.jpg

Kari
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB1.6 GHz Intel Core i7-720QM Processor6 GBATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 Graphics
Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP ENVY 17-1150eg
OS
Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
CPU
1.6 GHz Intel Core i7-720QM Processor
Memory
6 GB
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 Graphics
Sound Card
Beats sound system with integrated subwoofer
Monitor(s) Displays
17" laptop display, 22" LED and 32" Full HD TV through HDMI
Screen Resolution
1600*900 (1), 1920*1080 (2&3)
Hard Drives
Internal: 2 x 500 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive 7200 rpm
External: 2TB for backups, 3TB USB3 network drive for media
Cooling
As Envy runs a bit warm, I have it on a Cooler Master pad
Keyboard
Logitech diNovo Media Desktop Laser (bluetooth)
Mouse
Logitech Performance Mouse MX
Internet Speed
50/10 Mbps VDSL
Antivirus
Windows Defender 4.3.9431.0
Browser
Maxthon 3.5.2., IE11
All the registry entry does is read from the Show Desktop Icons context menu entry.

Hide Icons.PNG
sets registry entry to 1

Show Icons.PNG
sets registry entry to 0

edit: Kari, too quick mate ;)


OS
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate x64AMD Sempron Dual Core3GBNVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Compaq Desktop
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
AMD Sempron Dual Core
Memory
3GB
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
Screen Resolution
1024x768
Hard Drives
150GB Sata
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