Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
Many desktops are completely cluttered with icons for various shortcuts. It doesn't affect the computer's performance, but it's still messy.
I have [a lot of applications on my desktop}. Would my desktop load faster if I put all of these apps and utility programs into one desktop folder rather than having all the icons appear on my desktop? Seeing them doesn't bother me and my desktop loads pretty fast, but my kids are horrified by all they see on my desktop. They say that even though these apps are not listed in my Startup Menu or in Start Programs and even though the apps don't appear to be running in Task Manager processes, they are running and using valuable CPU. Can you enlighten me and my kids?
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I'm with your kids, sort of. I'm horrified, but not for the reasons that they're horrified.
And even though I am, if I were you I'd likely not change a thing.
I know that seems like contradictory advice, but it all boils down to being a matter of taste, and nothing more.
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The short version is this: icons that are displayed on your desktop are not running programs and they do not take any additional resources, with one tiny exception. That very tiny exception is that it takes a teeny tiny amount of time to draw the icon itself on the desktop each time the desktop is displayed, particularly when you start up. But that's it.
Other than that, having an icon on your desktop is almost exactly the same as having an item in your start menu somewhere. It does nothing until you actually use it.
So why am I, like your kids, horrified? Well, like I said, it's for a completely different reason.
I'm a neat freak when it comes to my desktop.
In fact, here it is:
In case you're wondering, I put my taskbar on the far left - it makes the most sense for my dual monitor setup which gives me a full desktop that spans the two monitors looking like this:
As you can see, I have exactly two icons on my desktop: "My Computer" (which I renamed to the machine name, so I can keep my machines straight when I'm looking at them), and the Recycle Bin. That's it.
Why am I so anal about this?
It's actually very simple: what's the point in putting shortcuts to things on the desktop which is completely hidden by running programs most of the time? Shortcuts are much more useful in the quick-launch area (which you can see in the image above has quite a bit), and in the start menu itself. If I have to minimize or move a bunch of windows to access the shortcuts on my desktop then it doesn't seem like much of a "short cut".
But that's just me.
Like I said above, it's a matter of taste.
I regularly see machines where the desktop is completely covered with icons, and typically with no organization whatsoever. I shudder not only because of the aesthetics, because I wouldn't know how to go about finding anything in that mess.
But again, that's just me. Clearly the users of those computers are quite comfortable with their setup.
So there's your answer: if you like the way things are set up, don't bother changing it. You're not impacting your computer's performance in any way that matters.
On the other hand, if you're interested in getting more organized, then by all means ... organize away.
Article C3494 - September 7, 2008 « »
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
October 21, 2008 12:29 PM
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..
October 24, 2008 6:13 AM
a empty folder which name is "my music" which i was not saved in my desktop, but its automatically comes in my desktop.rather i also delete it but its comes again.i know its happened due to virus, so what i will do plz tell me.
May 9, 2009 2:43 AM
Hello
Thanks for making a post/webpage about this question.
I knew the Icons on the desktop where NOT causing the programs to run in the background... what I was looking to find out was how to make the Icons load faster.
I believe I found my answer with in your Neat Freak comment and the comments of others.
I have done everything to make my computer load faster and run faster, I am a gamer.
Such as: turning off everything possible in MsConfig Startup, running CCleaner, defragging, running SpyBot, Malwarebytes, Ad-Aware and two other Free Cleaners, and a little Free program called Startuplight. But the Desktop Icons still loaded somewhat slow.
I now believe I now have my answer as to why they load so slow.
I have 46 Icons on my desktop -- LOL yes 46! That's about two-thirds of my desktop.
LOL
I may not be a Neat Freak as you define one, but believe me I am a Neat Freak, all 46 Desktop Icons are setup in perfect order and category. They are all used weekly. I got a big kick out of how you have only two Icons on your desktop and I have so many. To each his own, thanks again!!
MarkM
April 13, 2012 8:44 AM
How do you alter desktop to make "not messy"? I have downloaded a programme but there is no icon - why? thankyou again Leo. artysmithy
April 13, 2012 9:21 AM
@Arty
To make your desktop "not messy," you can simply delete the shortcuts icons you don't want there. Shortcuts are tiny files which simply point to the location of a program or a file. You have another copy of all of them available in your Start menu under Programs. But just to be sure I'd check to see if you have each program listed in the Start menu before deleting it from the desktop. One other caveat is, make sure that that icon on the desktop is really only a shortcut and not an actual data file or folder. Shortcuts normally have a small arrow in the lower left hand corner. If you're not sure you can right click on the icon and select properties and click on the General tab. If it is a shortcut the type of file will be shortcut (.lnk).
As for the program shortcut not being on your desktop, that's because most but not all programs install a shortcut on your desktop. They should put a shortcut in the Start menu, though.