Desktop > Desktop Settings

Hide all items on the desktop

 

The "Hide all items on the desktop" lets you removes icons, shortcuts and other default and user-defined items from the desktop including Briefcase, Recycle Bin, My Computer and My Network Places.

 

Note: Changing this setting requires a logoff.

 

 

Remove "My Documents" folder

 

The "Remove "My Documents" folder" check box lets you remove the "My Documents" icon from the desktop, from Windows Explorer, from programs that use the Windows Explorer windows and from the standard "Open" dialog box.

 

 

Remove "My Computer" icon

 

The "Remove "My Computer" icon" check box lets you hide "My Computer" from the desktop and from the new Start menu. It also hides links to "My Computer" in the Web view of all Explorer windows and it hides "My Computer" in the Explorer folder tree pane. If the user navigates into "My Computer" via the "Up" button while this setting is enabled, they view an empty "My Computer" folder.

 

 

Remove Recycle Bin icon

 

The "Remove Recycle Bin icon" check box lets you remove the Recycle Bin icon from the desktop, from Windows Explorer, from programs that use the Windows Explorer windows and from the standard "Open" dialog box.

 

 

Hide "My Network Places" icon

 

The "Hide "My Network Places" icon" check box lets you remove the "My Network Places" icon from the desktop.

 

This setting only affects the desktop icon. It does not prevent users from connecting to the network or browsing for shared computers on the network.

 

Note: Changing this setting requires a logoff.

 

 

Hide "Internet Explorer" icon

 

The "Hide "Internet Explorer" icon" check box lets you remove the Internet Explorer icon from the desktop.

 

Note: Changing this setting requires a logoff.

 

 

Lock desktop toolbars

 

The "Lock desktop toolbars" check box lets you prevent users from manipulating desktop toolbars.

 

If you enable this setting, users cannot add or remove toolbars from the desktop. Also, users cannot drag toolbars onto or off of docked toolbars.

 

Note: Changing this setting requires a logoff.

 

 

Prevent moving of toolbars

 

The "Prevent moving of toolbars" check box lets you prevent users from adjusting the length of desktop toolbars. Also, users cannot reposition items or toolbars on docked toolbars.

 

This setting does not prevent users from adding or removing toolbars on the desktop.

 

Note: Changing this setting requires a logoff.

 

 

Disable "Desktop Cleanup"

 

The "Disable Desktop Cleanup" check box lets you prevent users from using the Desktop Cleanup Wizard.

 

If you enable this setting, the Desktop Cleanup wizard does not automatically run on a user's workstation every 60 days. The user will also not be able to access the Desktop Cleanup Wizard.

 

 

Don't save settings on exit

 

The "Don't save settings on exit" check box lets you prevent users from saving certain changes to the desktop.

 

If you enable this setting, users can change the desktop, but some changes, such as the position of open windows or the size and position of the taskbar, are not saved when users log off. However, shortcuts placed on the desktop are always saved.

 

Note: Changing this setting requires a logoff.

 


Desktop > Active Desktop

 

Enable Active Desktop

 

The "Enable Active Desktop" radio-button lets you enable the Active Desktop and prevent users from disabling it.

 

Note: Changing this setting requires a logoff.

 

 

Disable Active Desktop

 

The "Disable Active Desktop" radio-button lets you disable the Active Desktop and prevent users from enabling it.

 

Note: Changing this setting requires a logoff.

 

 

Disable all item properties

 

The "Disable all item properties" check box lets you remove Active Desktop content and prevent users from adding Active Desktop content.

 

This setting removes all Active Desktop items from the desktop. It also removes the Web tab from Display in Control Panel. As a result, users cannot add Web pages or pictures from the Internet or an intranet to the desktop.

 

Note: This setting does not disable Active Desktop. Users can still use image formats, such as JPEG and GIF, for their desktop wallpaper.

 

 

Prohibit changes

 

The "Prohibit changes" check box lets you prevent the user from enabling or disabling Active Desktop or changing the Active Desktop configuration.

 

This is a comprehensive setting that locks down the configuration. This setting removes the Web tab from Display in Control Panel. As a result, users cannot enable or disable Active Desktop. If Active Desktop is already enabled, users cannot add, remove or edit Web content or disable, lock or synchronize Active Desktop components.

 


Desktop > Effects

 

Smooth Screen fonts

 

The "Smooth Screen fonts" check box lets you choose to enable or disable the smoothing of screen fonts.

 

When enabled, there are two choices: Standard or Clear Type.

 

The Standard smoothing can be used by everyone. The Clear Type smoothing is an option added by Microsoft specifically to be used on LCD displays. However, if you have a high-end CRT monitor you might also benefit from this type of font smoothing. It won't do any harm to your hardware, so just try it, and see if it fits your preferences.

 

Note: Changing this setting requires a logoff.

 

 

Enable Clear Type on Welcome

 

The "Enable Clear Type on Welcome" check box lets you enable Clear Type font smoothing on the Windows XP welcome screen.

 

Note: This is a system-wide setting.

 

 

Show window contents while dragging

 

The "Show window contents while dragging" check box lets you view the contents of windows while they are being dragged across the screen. If disabled, only the outline of the window you are dragging is shown. The window is redrawn once you release it in the new position.

 

Note: Changing this setting requires a logoff.

 

 

Animate windows

 

The "Animate windows" check box lets you animate windows.

 

Note: Changing this setting requires a logoff.

 

 

Slide Taskbar buttons

 

The "Slide Taskbar buttons" check box lets you animate the taskbar buttons.

 

Note: Changing this setting requires a logoff.

 

 

Drop shadows for icon labels

 

The "Drop shadows for icon labels" check box lets you control the drop shadow behind icon labels.

 

Note: Changing this setting requires a logoff.

 

 

Disable Info Tips

 

The "Disable Info Tips" check box lets you disable the Info popups on Desktop Items (when hovering your mouse cursor over them).

 

Note: Changing this setting requires a logoff.

 


Desktop > Icon Colors

 

The "Icon Colors" radio-button(s) lets you choose the color-depth of display colors for Icons. It depends on the capabilities of your graphics card if all bit rates will have an effect.