Computer Bytes - No. 34 The word desktop usually refers to the top of a traditional desk on which papers can be laid out for viewing. However, for the purposes of our discussion, a desktop will refer to the screen you first view when your computer is turned on and before you open any programs or files. If you have recently purchased a new computer or inherited a used computer, you may find the desktop full of assorted icons. These icons are shortcuts to various programs, files, games and the like. All placed on the desktop to facilitate accessing frequently used programs or files quickly and easily. Before adding shortcut icons to the desktop that you want to use, you will want to remove any icons that you do not want. These icons may include anything from free trial offers from various Internet providers to actual programs or files. Removing unwanted icons from the desktop is easily accomplished. You simply place the cursor on top of the icon, hold down the left mouse button and drag the icon to the Recycle Bin. Another option is to place the cursor on top of the icon to be removed, click the right mouse button and select 'delete'. Performing either one of these actions does not uninstall or remove the program or file from your computer. Adding shortcuts to the desktop is just as easy. If you have Windows, you can right click on the desktop in an open area, select New and then Shortcut. A box will appear that will ask you to type in the file or program path. If you do not know the path, click on Browse and locate the program or file you want to create the shortcut for. Then click Open and Next. You can then type in a name for the shortcut and click Next or Finish depending on your version of Windows. An alternate method of creating a shortcut is through the C Drive. Go to My Computer and open the C Drive. Select the program or file for which you want to create a shortcut by highlighting it. Right click on the highlighted selection and from the box menu select - Create Shortcut. The shortcut will appear at the bottom of the list of files displayed for the C Drive. Minimize this screen and then drag the shortcut to your desktop by placing the cursor over the newly created shortcut icon, and while holding down the left mouse button, drag it across to your desktop. Once there you can right click on the shortcut icon and rename it if you like. After placing shortcut icons on your desktop, you can arrange them in any order you like by dragging and dropping. You can also click the right mouse button on a blank area to view other shortcut options available. If you like, you can even lock your shortcuts to keep others from re-arranging or deleting them. While having shortcuts on the desktop is convenient, it can get cluttered and messy looking if there are too many. Next week we will discuss how you can 'Pin' a program to your Start Menu and manage your frequently used programs from there if you like having a clean desktop. Moncrief Web2 Home Page Moncrief Web Design Computer Bytes Index Web Design | Search Engine Optimization | Site Maintenance & Management | Request Information | About Us ~ Sample Sites Send Us an Email | Home Page Copyright 2007-2008. All rights reserved. Computer Bytes articles may not be reprinted, published, quoted, copied, or used in any manner whatsoever without the expressed written permission of David Moncrief.