Do icons on my desktop mean programs are running or will they otherwise slow down my system?

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I always thought that the more items you had in the quick launch area, the longer your computer takes to start. Is that not true?

Oh, and I'm with you, Leo, I positively HATE a messy desktop!

Funny, I am a nerd with a very messy desktop. I save all temporary (useful for a few weeks, or to decide if they are useful)files to desktop, that way they annoy me,and I get around to cleaning them up once I can't fit anymore on there.

Also I advise clients/friends to use desktop, that way I can see what they have tried to get to work, and they know it is there.
Visual is helpful. Folders get lost.

I love a clean desktop.
I use Quick Launch for frequent apps, and I have a folder in My Documents full of Shortcuts that I've added as a Toolbar (and shrunk, so it's like a mini start menu, but bigger).
Then a Slush Folder/toolbar.
And finally, one for Desktop so I can still use the drag and drop to the desktop conveniently. I just hide my desktop icons so it stays pretty.
--zigg

I too am a tidiness freak. To keep icons off the Desktop I created 2 folders into which I put Shortcuts to often used programmes, other folders, websites, etc. I then dragged and dropped one on the extreme left side of my screen and the other on the right. You can also put one at the top of the screen, but this can get in the way. When dropped at the extreme margin of the screen these folders become toolbars which can be set to always be on top and/or auto hide until you touch the edge of the screen with your mouse. These toolbars can be dragged to just a thin bar (mine are 6mm - 1/4 inch) wide. The icons can be large or small. So my often used stuff is always handy without getting in the way. I don't have to go hunting for stuff in the Start Menu, Explorer, or Firefox when my Desktop is filled with programme windows.

I'm almost the exact polar opposite of Leo: I hate cluttering the Task Bar, but don't at all mind putting things on my DeskTop. I have my DeskTop icons "divided" into five loose areas.

Top left of screen: "Selected Utilities" area (which actually includes shortcuts to various drives and my ISP, as well as actual utilities such as Defrag).

Top right of screen: "Security" area (shortcuts to run, update and "FullScan with" my Norton AntiVirus, a shortcut to AdAware 2008, a shortcut to a folder of shortcuts for updating various aspects of my computer (Microsoft Update, Firefox, printer software, etc.), plus an actual encrypted textfile containing my bank account information, so that if I need to update an online store account I have that information handy.

A blank row, then Upper middle of screen: Shortcuts to infrequently accessed but important folders -- folders which I don't much need to access but for which, when the need arises, immediate and ready access comes in very handy. This includes of folder of camera photos and another of scanned documents, etc.

Skip a row, then lower middle of screen: Shortcuts to commonly used folders. This includes (1) A "Utilities" folder contains ALL my links to ALL my utilities (provided I remember to put an link there when I first install the utility, which admittedly I don't always remember to do! -- but in principle, it is at least SUPPOSED to contain links to "all" utilities, all gathered in one place); (2) "Internet & Online" shortcut to a folder containing shortcuts to all programs which require or use Internet access; (3) shortcut to a "File Editing" folder with shortcuts to various programs for creating and editing files, including Nero Sound Editor, MS Paint, WordPad, and so forth and so on; (4) a shortcut to my "Music" folder; (5) a shortcut to my "Downloads" folder; and (6) a link to the "Glenn's Files" folder which contains all my textfiles and other important files.

Below this there is (supposed to be) only empty space, but there is usually one or two programs or files there temporarily, waiting for me to attend to them, and which are usually deleted (or moved) elsewhere afterwards. For example, I might have a text file of URL's I want to take a gander at. (The URL to THIS page happened to be in exactly one such file, cut & pasted there from a "Ask Leo!" newsletter I'd recently read!).

Of course, my icons are small, so all this "clutter" actually takes up no more than half the screen. Gives a Pleasingly Live-In Look to my DeskTop. And I'm quite sure that Leop would absolutely hate it. :)

Like my icons (tastefully arranged by type). The main reason I have them is ease of access, either thru minimizing open apps and then clicking on desired icon or (even better) using hot keys to open a new item without leaving the app I'm already working on. Particularly love the option to quickly open the MRU Word doc.

I created colorful desktop graphics that allow me to have up to twenty icons at a time, and still be very organized. Since I love to "play" with graphics," I've created several hundred (some are simply different colors), as well as matching screen saver graphics for use with 3D Maze. I created desktops for the four seasons, holidays, days of the week, etc., so I can change the theme and/or color according to my mood.

Hey, Leo, do I get the prize for most anal-retentive desktop organizer? :o)

I am just wondering if I get into quick launch then i would get space possively half centimeters it depends. And it would greatly affect my whole desktop for the rest of applications. for me it would be better if I could just put it in my desktop. Its just for me anyway. thanks.

Hi Leo....re: the Desktop Icons...The questions & answers that you provide are "outstanding". I'm "impressed by your" Newletter(s)!! Therefore I continue to provide you with Latte's, etc....KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!! A Long Time Sr.Citizen Supporter!! Aloha, from Hawaii PS: Come see us again...soon!!

Hi there, i have sorted out my laptop and deleted alot of programs i did not know what they were!! i know silly me, now i cant use web pages as a shortcut tomy desk top?

any suggestions..

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