Questions about desktop

Lock Icons and Add Folder Contents?

from WinCustomize Forums
hello. I had a couple questions about the windows XP deskop.

1. Is it possible to lock the positions of icons on the desktop so that they cannot be moved?
I have my desktop all nice and neat with the icons I use most on one side and folder links on the other side. But every time I change resolution or mess with the settings on the desktop everything gets jumbled again and I have to move it all back!

2. Is there a way to add folder contents to the desktop? I wanted to add the contents of "My Downloads" to my desktop, because I have to quickly access the stuff in it alot. I used the active desktop feature to add a box containing "C:\My Downloads" However, this isn't a very good solution because it's white. I'd much rather have it transparent or something. Is there an easy way to add this sort of thing to the desktop? Maybe with a widget or something?

Thanks
Steve
2,892 views 17 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
1. I know of no XP setting that would do this....however, You may be able to avoid this by using Virtual Desktops. If you put your Icons on one desktop and do all your tinkering on another it may solve you problem.

2. The only way I am familiar with is to open a window and leave it open.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
A possible solution to #2

Right click on your taskbar, go to Toolbars, click on New Toolbar ...
Browse to the folder you want quick access to, select, etc. and you'll have a new toolbar on your taskbar to give access to your files.
Multiplicity - Control multiple PCs using one keyboard and mouse
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
create an object as a shortcut to 'My Downloads' - have it open as a menu (if you don't want the window) - export as an object or widget (if you don't have {or want to have} DTX running)
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm going to have to try that. Does it export without a window or background? (I've hardly made any headway with DX yet)
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
now that I'm home and have dtx re installed....let me see.
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
do you want it without a window or background?
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
hey...wait a minute, how would you find it?

just did one with the default new object pic & one as text - just learned if I don't use a show in systray or taskbar option, I can't make it go away with taskmanager.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
object works better for me - gots the remove option & can reset target elsewhere
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
this parent/child and keeping on on top of another is throwing me.
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I can't make it go away with taskmanager.

oops

I can't make it go away without using taskmanger
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I can't make it go away without using taskmanger


........that's ok.....you can't spell either.
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top


Here ya go Yrag...in case ya run out.
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
........that's ok.....you can't spell either./
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Sooo....what's the staus? If it works and you can add a control to close it how about uploading it to the widget category. Save me from getting a headache trying to figure it out.
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
do you want it without a window or background?

I'd like to see something transparent myself with maybe a couple pixel wide border to "define" the area. I assume scroll bars may have to be included, but I'm just guessing.