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Windows XP and the Display - Desktop

Manually Clean Up Desktop Shortcut Icons

SUMMARY: If your Windows XP desktop is too cluttered, manually clean up unused shortcut icons with this wizard.

Depending on your configuration, Windows XP will periodically run a Desktop Cleanup Wizard that attempts to free shortcut icons from your Desktop. Not only can this show possibly hidden wallpaper, it may make frequently-used icons easier to find by removing shortcuts that have not recently been accessed.

If your Desktop has become muddled with shortcut icons and you wish to manually invoke this wizard, do the following:

1. Right-click an empty area of the Desktop.

2. Choose "Arrange Icons By" from the popup menu that follows.

3. Select "Run Desktop Cleanup Wizard"

Activating the Windows XP Desktop Cleanup Wizard

4. The "Desktop Cleanup Wizard" dialog box appears. Read the description and click the "Next" button to continue or "Cancel" to exit the wizard.

Welcoming you to the Desktop Cleanup Wizard

5. Windows will display a list of desktop shortcuts that can be moved, followed by the date of last use. Check the boxes next to icons you wish to clean up and click "Next" to continue.

Choosing the icons to be moved via the Desktop Cleanup Wizard

6. If any shortcut icons were moved, Windows will display the icons names. Click "Finish" to exit the wizard.

Some shortcut icons may not be movable - if so, Windows XP will prompt you.

Moved shortcut icons will be placed in the "Unused Desktop Shortcuts" folder on your Desktop. If later you wish to move these icons back, simply double-click the folder, and then drag the desired shortcut icons back to the Desktop.