Organizing your Icons

Windows XP

The purpose of Desktop icons is to give you quick access to programs, documents and important functions. This task can be made easier by organizing your icons into logical groups. 

To begin with, move the Recycle Bin to its own space, away from other icons. The Recycle Bin is where you dump unwanted items.  It is best to get it away from a crowded area, so you don't accidentally delete something you wish to keep. A good place is the lower-right corner of the screen.

To move the Recycle Bin

1. Place your mouse over the recycle bin

2. Press and hold your Left mouse button

3. Move the mouse to the new location and release the left mouse button 

Make sure Auto Arrange is not checked

1. Right click in an empty spot on the Desktop

2. Go to Arrange Icons in menu

3. Verify there is no check in front of Auto Arrange.  If there is, click on Auto Arrange to remove check mark.

Now move your other icons to more useful positions. 

For instance, you may want to group all folders and files in one section of the Desktop, put shortcuts to programs in another section, and leave special items such as My Computer, My Network Places (known as Network Neighborhood in Windows 98) and any other system items you may have in their own corner. The only thing to watch out for when moving icons is to make sure you don't cover one icon with another. Not only can you lose an icon that way, but you can also accidentally delete an icon or run a program by dropping an icon in the wrong place. So make sure you move those icons to a vacant part of the Desktop .