Remove System folders from all desktops

Question

Earlier, I checked a box somewhere to show system folders on my desktop and now I can't find the box again to uncheck it. I want to remove them (Administrative Tools, Fonts, Printers and Faxes, Scanners and Cameras, Network Connections and Scheduled Tasks folders) from my desktop, but they aren't shortcuts and won't delete. I already have the view set to hide hidden folders, but they are still there. I have 5 desktops established on my pc and the system folders show on all of them.

Thanks!

Delierious · Answer

Does this help? http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm Tweak number 102

criss1118 · Answer

I don't really want to mess with the registry for this. I'd just like to know where the box is again in XP so I can uncheck it. The site will be alot of help. Thanks for the info.!

volcano11 · Answer

Right click an empy part of the task bar and select Properties.  Click on the Start Menu tab.  Click on the Customize button, the click on the Advanced tab.   Steve

tommyo1954 · Answer

Isn't that option available by the following method?  Unless I'm mis-understanding what the original question is....   Click 'start' 'all programs' Point to 'accessories' Open 'Windows Explorer' Click 'tools' Click 'folder options' Click 'view'   And I believe the setting the poster is looking for is in 'hidden files & folders', and a box below that one...'hide protected operating system files' .   If I'm wrong; my apologies.....  I'm still learning things too; certainly no pro here, lol..:smileyvery-happy:

criss1118 · Answer

No - Tweek 102 only took away my Recycle Bin and My Computer icons and I can't find out how to restore them, now that they're hidden. Nothing changed with the original system folders showing on my desktop.   Thanks anyhow!

criss1118 · Answer

Thanks, I 've already checked on this. I have the box checked, but they won't go away.

Delierious · Answer

Sorry about tip 102. Nevertheless, The solution to getting My Computer and Recycle Bin back (if you want them back) would be to create shortcuts.

In the same vein, have you thought of moving (cut and paste) the unwanted icons back to their original folders. I suspect that this would have to be done either in safe mode or through a command prompt.

Message Edited by Delierious on 01-27-200708:08 PM

criss1118 · Answer

I do want to get them back, but well.......... I don't know enough about the file names to create shortcuts right now. They don't show up anywhere when I do a search. And I'm dealing with 5 established desktops, that's alot to recreate or move in safe mode. If it would even work. I'm not sure what to do.

Delierious · Answer

To restore your 'My Computer' Icon, go to control panel, display, desktop, customise desktop and select my computer. For the recycle bin, it’s a little more difficult: There are 3 solutions at http://www.5starsupport.com/xp-faq/1-24.htm and http://www.dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc/rec_bin.htm I suggest these sites and the registry solutions above, as Kelly’s Korner will have used a registry hack to get rid of the recycle bin icon: it seems to me that one of these should restore it.

criss1118 · Answer

Message Edited by criss1118 on 03-27-2007 11:14 AM Message Edited by criss1118 on 03-27-2007 11:16 AM

criss1118 · Answer

Message Edited by criss1118 on 03-27-2007 11:13 AM

criss1118 · Answer

Thanks for your suggestions. I wasn't able to restore the 'My Computer' icon thru 'customize desktop' as it wasn't available to select. BUT I DID RESTORE BOTH My Computer AND Recycle Bin icons by changing the values of the registry clusters. I backtracked the keys that Kelly's Korner hacked and returned their values to '0' and now I have them. Problem is I still have the original system folders showing (that started all of this!)

Windows General

Remove System folders from all desktops

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