> It's probably an unwanted side effect of my automatic wallpaper
> changer (WSS Pro), but the setting in Desktop Properties 'Arrange
> Icons by' > 'Show Desktop Items' (by right clicking desktop) keeps
> coming unstuck.
>
> I normally uncheck 'Show Desktop Items', so no icons spoil my
> desktop images. Minutes or hours later I'll notice that they have
> reappeared, although the setting is still unchecked. To remove them
> again I have to check the setting then uncheck it.
>
> So I thought I'd try to write an external macro (using Macro
> Express) which would regularly check it and turn it off if
> necessary. My first attempt works OK but it relies on minimising
> all current windows and restoring them. In practice that's not only
> distracting (every 10 mins at present) but it doesn't always seem
> to return focus to the window I happen to be in at the time. So -
> and here's my question! - I'm wondering if there is a registry
> setting for this icon display option? If so I'll try an alternative
> macro that changes it, a much neater solution.

"Shenan Stanley" <newshel***@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:%23MFq2IQ6JHA.3860@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Terry Pinnell wrote:
>> It's probably an unwanted side effect of my automatic wallpaper
>> changer (WSS Pro), but the setting in Desktop Properties 'Arrange
>> Icons by' > 'Show Desktop Items' (by right clicking desktop) keeps
>> coming unstuck.
>>
>> I normally uncheck 'Show Desktop Items', so no icons spoil my
>> desktop images. Minutes or hours later I'll notice that they have
>> reappeared, although the setting is still unchecked. To remove them
>> again I have to check the setting then uncheck it.
>>
>> So I thought I'd try to write an external macro (using Macro
>> Express) which would regularly check it and turn it off if
>> necessary. My first attempt works OK but it relies on minimising
>> all current windows and restoring them. In practice that's not only
>> distracting (every 10 mins at present) but it doesn't always seem
>> to return focus to the window I happen to be in at the time. So -
>> and here's my question! - I'm wondering if there is a registry
>> setting for this icon display option? If so I'll try an alternative
>> macro that changes it, a much neater solution.
>
> Thought about just not having any desktop icons?
>
> You obviously do not use them.  Just don't put anything on your
> desktop.
>
> You can easily get rid of "My Documents" and "My Computer" and "My
> Network Places" through the Display Properties --> Desktop -->
> Customize Desktop method (unchecking those three boxes.)
>
> Remove the Recycle Bin from your desktop through this registry
> deletion:
> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}
>  or
> TweakUI can remove *all* of those "System" based icons. (
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/Downloads/powertoys/Xppowertoys.mspx )
>
> Any other icons you have on your desktop - you put there.  Why - only
> you know - if you planned on hiding them in the first place. ;-)
>
> --
> Shenan Stanley
>     MS-MVP
> --
> How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>

> The deletion of the Recycle Bin from the desktop is rather a one-way
> fix!
>
> You should be aware of how to 're-instate' the Recycle Bin on your
> desktop before you 'delete it'.
>
> You have been given the location of the registry key to delete in
> order to remove the Recycle Bin desktop icon : export this key to a
> reg file and name it 'Restore Recycle Bin.reg' BEFORE you continue
> in deleting this key.
>
> You should always exercise care when editing the registry, always
> create a backup and / or create a 'System Restore' point first.
>
>
> Also, about the question you asked :
> You should bear in mind, though there will be a registry setting for
> what you asked, when you change a setting with the Windows'
> interface, it will "refresh" as is changes it.  Whereas, if you
> were to edit the registry directly, no "refresh" would take place
> so you would not see the change.  You would have to logoff /logon
> to force the change to become apparent, and that would probably
> 'fix' your problem in the first place.

"Shenan Stanley" <newshel***@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:uyB7udU6JHA.2656@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Tim Meddick wrote:
>> The deletion of the Recycle Bin from the desktop is rather a one-way
>> fix!
>>
>> You should be aware of how to 're-instate' the Recycle Bin on your
>> desktop before you 'delete it'.
>>
>> You have been given the location of the registry key to delete in
>> order to remove the Recycle Bin desktop icon : export this key to a
>> reg file and name it 'Restore Recycle Bin.reg' BEFORE you continue
>> in deleting this key.
>>
>> You should always exercise care when editing the registry, always
>> create a backup and / or create a 'System Restore' point first.
>>
>>
>> Also, about the question you asked :
>> You should bear in mind, though there will be a registry setting for
>> what you asked, when you change a setting with the Windows'
>> interface, it will "refresh" as is changes it.  Whereas, if you
>> were to edit the registry directly, no "refresh" would take place
>> so you would not see the change.  You would have to logoff /logon
>> to force the change to become apparent, and that would probably
>> 'fix' your problem in the first place.
>
> Notice - I gave TweakUI as an option.  TweakUI can turn off/on the
> display of the Recycle Bin 'at will'.
> One way?  Not really.  ;-)
>
> --
> Shenan Stanley
>     MS-MVP
> --
> How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>

"Tim Meddick" <timmedd***@gawab.com> wrote:

>Very sorry - all I noticed was the instructions to delete the registry
>key :
>
>HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}
>
>
>
>==
>
>Cheers,    Tim Meddick,    Peckham, London.    :-)
>
>
>
>
>"Shenan Stanley" <newshel***@gmail.com> wrote in message
>news:uyB7udU6JHA.2656@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> Tim Meddick wrote:
>>> The deletion of the Recycle Bin from the desktop is rather a one-way
>>> fix!
>>>
>>> You should be aware of how to 're-instate' the Recycle Bin on your
>>> desktop before you 'delete it'.
>>>
>>> You have been given the location of the registry key to delete in
>>> order to remove the Recycle Bin desktop icon : export this key to a
>>> reg file and name it 'Restore Recycle Bin.reg' BEFORE you continue
>>> in deleting this key.
>>>
>>> You should always exercise care when editing the registry, always
>>> create a backup and / or create a 'System Restore' point first.
>>>
>>>
>>> Also, about the question you asked :
>>> You should bear in mind, though there will be a registry setting for
>>> what you asked, when you change a setting with the Windows'
>>> interface, it will "refresh" as is changes it.  Whereas, if you
>>> were to edit the registry directly, no "refresh" would take place
>>> so you would not see the change.  You would have to logoff /logon
>>> to force the change to become apparent, and that would probably
>>> 'fix' your problem in the first place.
>>
>> Notice - I gave TweakUI as an option.  TweakUI can turn off/on the
>> display of the Recycle Bin 'at will'.
>> One way?  Not really.  ;-)
>>
>> --
>> Shenan Stanley
>>     MS-MVP
>> --
>> How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
>> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>>
>

> Terry Pinnell wrote:
>> It's probably an unwanted side effect of my automatic wallpaper
>> changer (WSS Pro), but the setting in Desktop Properties 'Arrange
>> Icons by' > 'Show Desktop Items' (by right clicking desktop) keeps
>> coming unstuck.
>>
>> I normally uncheck 'Show Desktop Items', so no icons spoil my
>> desktop images. Minutes or hours later I'll notice that they have
>> reappeared, although the setting is still unchecked. To remove them
>> again I have to check the setting then uncheck it.
>>
>> So I thought I'd try to write an external macro (using Macro
>> Express) which would regularly check it and turn it off if
>> necessary. My first attempt works OK but it relies on minimising
>> all current windows and restoring them. In practice that's not only
>> distracting (every 10 mins at present) but it doesn't always seem
>> to return focus to the window I happen to be in at the time. So -
>> and here's my question! - I'm wondering if there is a registry
>> setting for this icon display option? If so I'll try an alternative
>> macro that changes it, a much neater solution.
>
> Thought about just not having any desktop icons?
>
> You obviously do not use them.  Just don't put anything on your
> desktop.
> You can easily get rid of "My Documents" and "My Computer" and "My
> Network Places" through the Display Properties --> Desktop -->
> Customize Desktop method (unchecking those three boxes.)
>
> Remove the Recycle Bin from your desktop through this registry
> deletion:
>
> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}
> or TweakUI can remove *all* of those "System" based icons. (
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/Downloads/powertoys/Xppowertoys.mspx
> )
> Any other icons you have on your desktop - you put there.  Why - only
> you know - if you planned on hiding them in the first place. ;-)
>
> --
> Shenan Stanley
>     MS-MVP

> Shenan Stanley wrote:
>> Terry Pinnell wrote:
>>> It's probably an unwanted side effect of my automatic wallpaper
>>> changer (WSS Pro), but the setting in Desktop Properties 'Arrange
>>> Icons by' > 'Show Desktop Items' (by right clicking desktop) keeps
>>> coming unstuck.
>>>
>>> I normally uncheck 'Show Desktop Items', so no icons spoil my
>>> desktop images. Minutes or hours later I'll notice that they have
>>> reappeared, although the setting is still unchecked. To remove them
>>> again I have to check the setting then uncheck it.
>>>
>>> So I thought I'd try to write an external macro (using Macro
>>> Express) which would regularly check it and turn it off if
>>> necessary. My first attempt works OK but it relies on minimising
>>> all current windows and restoring them. In practice that's not only
>>> distracting (every 10 mins at present) but it doesn't always seem
>>> to return focus to the window I happen to be in at the time. So -
>>> and here's my question! - I'm wondering if there is a registry
>>> setting for this icon display option? If so I'll try an alternative
>>> macro that changes it, a much neater solution.
>>
>> Thought about just not having any desktop icons?
>>
>> You obviously do not use them.  Just don't put anything on your
>> desktop.
>> You can easily get rid of "My Documents" and "My Computer" and "My
>> Network Places" through the Display Properties --> Desktop -->
>> Customize Desktop method (unchecking those three boxes.)
>>
>> Remove the Recycle Bin from your desktop through this registry
>> deletion:
>>
>> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}
>> or TweakUI can remove *all* of those "System" based icons. (
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/Downloads/powertoys/Xppowertoys.mspx
>> )
>> Any other icons you have on your desktop - you put there.  Why - only
>> you know - if you planned on hiding them in the first place. ;-)
>>
>> --
>> Shenan Stanley
>>     MS-MVP
>
> To get rid of icons on the desktop: Right click open area on screen,
> click Arrange Icons By, untick Show Desktop  Icons to turn them off.
> Turns them on too if you change your mind later.  No Restart needed;
> removes them as soon as you're done with the window.
>
> Why edit the registry when what's needed is right there in front of a
> person?

> It's probably an unwanted side effect of my automatic wallpaper
> changer (WSS Pro), but the setting in Desktop Properties 'Arrange
> Icons by' > 'Show Desktop Items' (by right clicking desktop) keeps
> coming unstuck.
>
> I normally uncheck 'Show Desktop Items', so no icons spoil my
> desktop images. Minutes or hours later I'll notice that they have
> reappeared, although the setting is still unchecked. To remove them
> again I have to check the setting then uncheck it.
>
> So I thought I'd try to write an external macro (using Macro
> Express) which would regularly check it and turn it off if
> necessary. My first attempt works OK but it relies on minimising
> all current windows and restoring them. In practice that's not only
> distracting (every 10 mins at present) but it doesn't always seem
> to return focus to the window I happen to be in at the time. So -
> and here's my question! - I'm wondering if there is a registry
> setting for this icon display option? If so I'll try an alternative
> macro that changes it, a much neater solution.

> Thought about just not having any desktop icons?
>
> You obviously do not use them.  Just don't put anything on your
> desktop.
> You can easily get rid of "My Documents" and "My Computer" and "My
> Network Places" through the Display Properties --> Desktop -->
> Customize Desktop method (unchecking those three boxes.)
>
> Remove the Recycle Bin from your desktop through this registry
> deletion:
>
> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}
> or TweakUI can remove *all* of those "System" based icons. (
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/Downloads/powertoys/Xppowertoys.mspx
> )
> Any other icons you have on your desktop - you put there.  Why -
> only you know - if you planned on hiding them in the first place.
> ;-)

> It's probably an unwanted side effect of my automatic wallpaper
> changer (WSS Pro), but the setting in Desktop Properties 'Arrange
> Icons by' > 'Show Desktop Items' (by right clicking desktop) keeps
> coming unstuck.
>
> I normally uncheck 'Show Desktop Items', so no icons spoil my
> desktop images. Minutes or hours later I'll notice that they have
> reappeared, although the setting is still unchecked. To remove them
> again I have to check the setting then uncheck it.
>
> So I thought I'd try to write an external macro (using Macro Express)
> which would regularly check it and turn it off if necessary. My first
> attempt works OK but it relies on minimising all current windows and
> restoring them. In practice that's not only distracting (every 10 mins
> at present) but it doesn't always seem to return focus to the window I
> happen to be in at the time. So - and here's my question! - I'm
> wondering if there is a registry setting for this icon display option?
> If so I'll try an alternative macro that changes it, a much neater
> solution.

"MAP" <mikepawlak2***@OVEhotmail.com> wrote:

>Terry Pinnell wrote:
>> It's probably an unwanted side effect of my automatic wallpaper
>> changer (WSS Pro), but the setting in Desktop Properties 'Arrange
>> Icons by' > 'Show Desktop Items' (by right clicking desktop) keeps
>> coming unstuck.
>>
>> I normally uncheck 'Show Desktop Items', so no icons spoil my
>> desktop images. Minutes or hours later I'll notice that they have
>> reappeared, although the setting is still unchecked. To remove them
>> again I have to check the setting then uncheck it.
>>
>> So I thought I'd try to write an external macro (using Macro Express)
>> which would regularly check it and turn it off if necessary. My first
>> attempt works OK but it relies on minimising all current windows and
>> restoring them. In practice that's not only distracting (every 10 mins
>> at present) but it doesn't always seem to return focus to the window I
>> happen to be in at the time. So - and here's my question! - I'm
>> wondering if there is a registry setting for this icon display option?
>> If so I'll try an alternative macro that changes it, a much neater
>> solution.
>
>Option #2
>Create a folder and call it something like "Icons" and move them their. This
>won't work with system icons but at least it will reduce the clutter and you
>still have access to them.

"Terry Pinnell" <terrypinDEL***@THESEdial.pipex.com> wrote in message
news:i4ru25t9ttpps0halm35aevndlpa2scsh1@4ax.com...
> "MAP" <mikepawlak2***@OVEhotmail.com> wrote:
>
>>Terry Pinnell wrote:
>>> It's probably an unwanted side effect of my automatic wallpaper
>>> changer (WSS Pro), but the setting in Desktop Properties 'Arrange
>>> Icons by' > 'Show Desktop Items' (by right clicking desktop) keeps
>>> coming unstuck.
>>>
>>> I normally uncheck 'Show Desktop Items', so no icons spoil my
>>> desktop images. Minutes or hours later I'll notice that they have
>>> reappeared, although the setting is still unchecked. To remove them
>>> again I have to check the setting then uncheck it.
>>>
>>> So I thought I'd try to write an external macro (using Macro
>>> Express)
>>> which would regularly check it and turn it off if necessary. My
>>> first
>>> attempt works OK but it relies on minimising all current windows and
>>> restoring them. In practice that's not only distracting (every 10
>>> mins
>>> at present) but it doesn't always seem to return focus to the window
>>> I
>>> happen to be in at the time. So - and here's my question! - I'm
>>> wondering if there is a registry setting for this icon display
>>> option?
>>> If so I'll try an alternative macro that changes it, a much neater
>>> solution.
>>
>>Option #2
>>Create a folder and call it something like "Icons" and move them
>>their. This
>>won't work with system icons but at least it will reduce the clutter
>>and you
>>still have access to them.
>
> Thanks Mike, interesting idea, but it's got to be all or nothing for
> me I'm afraid ;-)
>
> --
> Terry, East Grinstead, UK

"Tim Meddick" <timmedd***@gawab.com> wrote:

>Terry,
>          the registry setting that you were wanting is the following :
>
>------------------------ [copy] ------------------------
>
>REGEDIT4
>
>[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
>"HideIcons"=dword:00000001
>
>------------------------ [copy] ------------------------
>
>...and, obviously the 'undo' for this would be a value of  '0' [zero]
>instead of  '1'.
>
>However, I will repeat myself, the setting of this registry value will
>*not* 'refresh' the screen (to make the icons disappear) and you will
>probably have to logoff / logon to make the change apparent.
>
>I do believe in giving people the answers that they ask for, though.
>Whatever their reasons for asking what they ask, why deny someone the
>answer, when you know it, out of some misplaced sense of protectiveness
>that smacks of being patronizing in the extreme?
>
>I have written your registry answer in the form of a  .reg file.  To
>re-create the  .reg file, just 'copy and paste' the text between the
>[copy] lines (excluding the [copy] lines) into a text file using
>notepad, and re-name the file with a .reg extension (you will have to
>have 'Hide extensions for known file types' switched off in 'Control
>Panel' > 'Folder Options' > View  first, or re-name it in a 'Command
>Prompt' window, where file extensions are always visible).
>
>If you'd like to discover obscure registry settings for yourself, I use
>'Regshot' - a small, [tiny] easy-to-use program, which takes a
>'snapshot' of the registry, once before a change has been made, and once
>after.  Then there is a third 'compare' button, the results of which are
>displayed in the form of a text file.
>
>You can download 'Regshot' 1.8.2 by clicking on the link below :
>
>http://download.softpedia.com/dl/95f2259955bf48a47417d7fe6d9880ef/4a301d8a/100001337/software/tweak/regshot_1.8.2_src_bin.zip
>
>==
>
>Cheers,    Tim Meddick,    Peckham, London.    :-)
>
>
>
>
>"Terry Pinnell" <terrypinDEL***@THESEdial.pipex.com> wrote in message
>news:i4ru25t9ttpps0halm35aevndlpa2scsh1@4ax.com...
>> "MAP" <mikepawlak2***@OVEhotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>>Terry Pinnell wrote:
>>>> It's probably an unwanted side effect of my automatic wallpaper
>>>> changer (WSS Pro), but the setting in Desktop Properties 'Arrange
>>>> Icons by' > 'Show Desktop Items' (by right clicking desktop) keeps
>>>> coming unstuck.
>>>>
>>>> I normally uncheck 'Show Desktop Items', so no icons spoil my
>>>> desktop images. Minutes or hours later I'll notice that they have
>>>> reappeared, although the setting is still unchecked. To remove them
>>>> again I have to check the setting then uncheck it.
>>>>
>>>> So I thought I'd try to write an external macro (using Macro
>>>> Express)
>>>> which would regularly check it and turn it off if necessary. My
>>>> first
>>>> attempt works OK but it relies on minimising all current windows and
>>>> restoring them. In practice that's not only distracting (every 10
>>>> mins
>>>> at present) but it doesn't always seem to return focus to the window
>>>> I
>>>> happen to be in at the time. So - and here's my question! - I'm
>>>> wondering if there is a registry setting for this icon display
>>>> option?
>>>> If so I'll try an alternative macro that changes it, a much neater
>>>> solution.
>>>
>>>Option #2
>>>Create a folder and call it something like "Icons" and move them
>>>their. This
>>>won't work with system icons but at least it will reduce the clutter
>>>and you
>>>still have access to them.
>>
>> Thanks Mike, interesting idea, but it's got to be all or nothing for
>> me I'm afraid ;-)
>>
>> --
>> Terry, East Grinstead, UK
>