WorMzy Posted January 29, 2011 Report Share Posted January 29, 2011 Hi,Can anyone tell me how I can disable desktop icons on Windows XP Pro (64 bit)? The "desktop context menu -> Arrange Icons -> Show Desktop Icons" option does not appear, and "regedit -> HKEY_CURRENT_USER -> Software -> Microsoft -> Windows -> Policies -> Explorer -> ActiveDesktop = 0" does not disable the icons, nor enable the contect menu option to disable the icons.I'm sure that I've done it before, but google is just spewing out those two methods, neither of which wants to work for me.Anybody got a solution? I want to hide the desktop icons, so all I can see is my background image. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bludgard Posted January 29, 2011 Report Share Posted January 29, 2011 I'm a bit confused,here.How would you find them to put them to use if you hid them?If I do not need them,I drag them to the trash.If I do need them I put them in a folder and stow them away somewhere where I have easy access.Pardon my denseness,WorMzy.I just took my meds.Welcome....One Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rong Posted January 29, 2011 Report Share Posted January 29, 2011 1 I'm a bit confused,here.How would you find them to put them to use if you hid them?If I do not need them,I drag them to the trash.If I do need them I put them in a folder and stow them away somewhere where I have easy access.Pardon my denseness,WorMzy.I just took my meds.Welcome....One1 unhide them, I have mine hidden and use the quick launch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Makcalable Posted January 29, 2011 Report Share Posted January 29, 2011 If the option to hide the desktop icons is missing from the context menu then i suggest you use the install cd to perform a repair of the system files as seems to be corrupted somehow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WorMzy Posted January 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2011 @ Bludgard: I want to hide the recycle bin icon too. :PBasically, I'm trying to get this option to show up in the context menu:I access all my applications through the Start Menu.@ Bugsy: This is a fresh install (a little over 14 hours old), and I distinctly remember having to make some registry changes the last time I installed it, so I don't think anything is corrupted. Thank you for the suggestion though. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Makcalable Posted January 29, 2011 Report Share Posted January 29, 2011 Take a look at these it may help with thissee heresee here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WorMzy Posted January 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2011 I've already tried the first link's registry suggestions, but that registry key has no effect. I'd rather not download an application to achieve this, but it's certainly an option if I give up poking around the registry.The second link is unrelated to what I'm trying to accomplish. That shortcut/script just minimises open windows. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MANEMAN Posted January 29, 2011 Report Share Posted January 29, 2011 Try:/>http://bluefive.pair.com/emptydesk.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bludgard Posted January 29, 2011 Report Share Posted January 29, 2011 I see.You do not have the option in context to hide them or that the option does not function....I just checked my XP and it worked.Thanks for the tip.;) I would also suspect a corrupt install.Or some attempt at optimization gone awry.Have you tried the repair install as Bugsy has suggested?Or a clean install.Only things I would consider since the install you do have is fresh anyway and you haven't had time to fully customize it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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