[Ham-Computers] RE: Items in Desktop Folder not seen on Desktop

[Hsu, Aaron (NBC Universal)]

>>> Jim wrote:
For those who have not tried it, right-click anywhere on a blank area on the desktop and select Arrange Icons By.  Options for arranging the desktop are seen.  The choice seems to be a one-shot; if you manually rearrange the icons, they remain where you positioned them when the computer is restarted.

>>> My reply:
Be careful with this suggestion!  Most people have icons arranged in a particular order and if you select any one of the options, your desktop icons will be re-sorted to match.  If you have a "ton" of icons on the desktop (like me), then having to re-place all of them is a royal pain in the butt!  Of course, every once in a blue moon, Windows "hiccups" and resorts the desktop icons by name - I hate when this happens as I'm one who has "tons" of icons on the desktop.


>>> Jim wrote:
Cleaning the desktop is another situation.  Access by right clicking the desktop again, select Properties, Desktop, Customize Desktop.  Checking the box causes the desktop to be cleaned periodically until you uncheck the box.

>>> My reply:
"Desktop Cleanup" is on by default in Windows XP.  It can be good and it can be a source of endless fustration.  It's good because it "removes" icons that haven't been used in a certain timeframe - unused icons are moved to a folder called "unused items" (IIRC).  The fustration comes in when you're not familiar with how Desktop Cleanup works and, all of a sudden, half your desktop icons disappear!  Of course, you can go into the "unused icons" folder and move them back to the desktop, but, again, unless you knew how Desktop Cleanup works, you'll think that the icons got deleted somehow and be all fustrated at Windows.

I generally recommend that Desktop Cleanup be turned off and the first person that people call when icons disappear is me.  It's not worth the headache for anyone and most people don't even remember what Desktop Cleanup does.  All they know is that "My xyz file is no longer on the desktop - it's the only copy I had and I really need to get it back - please help!!!".  As simple as the solution is, it's just not worth anyone's headache.  Microsoft had good intentions with Desktop Cleanup, but it causes far too many headaches - at least for me.

73,

  - Aaron Hsu, NN6O