Clutter and Productivity: Your Computer Desktop

Posted on May 31, 2007 by LJ

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What is on your computer desktop? Do you use everything on a daily basis? If not, you might want to consider moving some of the items.

Some people have so many shortcuts on their desktops that they cannot see the wallpaper. When you have that much visual clutter, it’s just like having piles of things around your workspace. It’s distracting, and it’s hard to find what you need.

(Macintosh users, I apologize for the Windows XP-centric slant here. I’m not anti-Mac, but my experience with them ended back in ’93).

Disclaimer: while the instructions presented here are accurate, I will not be held responsible or liable for the misuse of the instructions. Always backup your computer before performing any changes.

Start Menu

One of the first things you can do to make things easier to find is to rearrange your start menu. To do this, drag and drop items into folders. Most every program installs itself at the root level, and cleaning them up can make it easier to find things.

I like to classify my programs. For instance, my Programs contain Accessories, Administrative Tools, Games, Internet, Palm, Programming, Publishing and Microsoft Office. All my applications are stored under these folders.

Quick Launch

Next to your start menu is the Quick Launch tool bar. If you don’t see it, right mouse click your task bar, choose properties, and check Show Quick Launch. You can put your most used applications here by dragging them from your desktop or program menu onto the tool bar.

On my machine, my quick launch has the icons for email, Agendus, Firefox, Bonsai, a timer, and my blogging software.

Desktop Tool bar

If you really want to clear off your desktop quickly, right mouse click on the desktop, choose Arrange Icons By and uncheck Show Desktop Items. Next, right click on your task bar and from the Toolbars choose Desktop. Now everything that is on your desktop is accessible via menu, but the icons are hidden from view.

I used this for a while, but I found that cleaning off my desktop and showing the icons was better for me. I always forgot to empty the trash when the icons weren’t showing.