How to disable new programs from placing desktop icons?


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Is there any way to lock the desktop so that no new icons can be placed, such as when a new program is installed. I realize that many programs give you the option of de-selecting "add an icon to the desktop" but some other programs aren't so courteous to ask; software from Apple comes to mind (iTunes and Safari). If this has been asked before, I apologize. I searched and didn't find anything right away.

I know this my also be the wrong section for posting this but I figured I'd give it a try. Any help is greatly appreciated.

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i don't know if it works but you could try edit the permissions (folder properties > security) of your desktop folder. delete everyone including the "system" except your user name. or just simply set their permissions to read only.

oh, and don't forget to do the same with the all users's desktop.

(x:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop)

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i don't know if it works but you could try edit the permissions (folder properties > security) of your desktop folder. delete everyone including the "system" except your user name. or just simply set their permissions to read only.

oh, and don't forget to do the same with the all users's desktop.

(x:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop)

I just tried that and it still adds a shortcut... If only Apple would let me choose not to have a damn shortcut on the desktop I'd be happy.

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So err, you've disabled "delete" or ? ...

:laugh:

I mean, sure, there might be a way to keep installers from adding icons, but wouldn't it be much, much easier to just delete the ones that show up?

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Yeah it's easy enough to delete them, but that doesn't make it less annoying.

:laugh:

I mean, sure, there might be a way to keep installers from adding icons, but wouldn't it be much, much easier to just delete the ones that show up?

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Well perhaps it's been a while since I installed it. Either way it's not just Apple programs that does it (or perhaps they changed their ways since you saw it in the installer now), it was just the first ones to come to mind.

I installed iTunes on a new Windows machine yesterday, and it quite clearly asks you during the installer if you "want iTunes and Quicktime icons on the desktop".
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Most apps put them on your desktop, quickbar, and start bar these days because the apps creators are crying for your attention over rival apps so they try to get noticed.

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just delete them! haha. or you can right-click and press "Hide desktop icons", but that will get rid of all your icons, don't know if that's what you're going for

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