Icons that sit on the desktop are mostly shortcuts to programs but Microsoft decided to make the shortcut arrows larger and more obvious in Windows Vista.  In addition to (optionally) hiding the icons you can also remove those unsightly shortcut arrows to make your desktop look just a little better.

A free program called FxVisor aka Vista Shortcut Manager gives you several options to hide or fine tune the way shortcuts are displayed.

One option is to view smaller shortcut arrows, like those used in XP or you can create your own or just get rid of the arrows completely.  You can set the program to do this for current shortcuts or have it applied to all future ones as well.

If you are interested in hiding your desktop icons and only viewing them when you need to then check out Iconoid and yes, both of these programs can be used together without worry.

FxVisor requires you to log out and log back in for the changes to take effect but DO NOT allow the program to attempt to do so for you because it doesn’t work if you do.  Apply the changes and select "No" when it asks if you want to log out then log out through the Start Menu manually.

---

Related:

Free Vista Sunday, hide unsightly desktop icons with Iconoid

Free Vista Software Sunday: MWAV antivirus - no installation required

Free Vista Sunday, 3D desktop with Real Desktop Light

One key Flip 3D shortcut for Vista

Free Vista Sunday, 1-click maintenance with Glary Utilities

Entry was posted on Sunday, May 18th, 2008 at 3:17 pm under Free Software, Microsoft, Tips, Vista.  Print This Post

Read more entries by Jonathan Schlaffer.