Hide and Disable All Items on the Desktop

Removes icons, shortcuts, and other default and user-defined items from the desktop, including Briefcase, Recycle Bin, Computer, and Network Locations.

Removing icons and shortcuts does not prevent the user from using another method to start the programs or opening the items they represent.

Hide and Disable All Items on the Desktop

1. Type gpedit.msc in the Start menu’s search box and then press Enter.

   Note: This guide shows you how to make changes to Windows 7 using Group Policy. Group Policy is not available in Home versions of Windows 7.

2. Navigate to User Configuration, Administrative Templates, and then select Desktop in the left column of the Group Policy editor.

   

3. Double-click Hide and disable all items on the desktop in the Settings section of the Group Policy editor.
4. Select Enable and then click OK to save the changes.

   

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Explore other guides about: Guides • Personalization • Group Policy.

Related Guides:

• Hide the Internet Explorer Icon on the Desktop
• Prevent Changing the Desktop Icons
• Turn Off User-installed Desktop Gadgets
• Disable Desktop Composition
• Set Windows 7 to Not Save Desktop Setting When Exiting