Writing Solutions for the Tech-Challenged 

Windows Desktop Maintenance

Proper maintenance of your Windows Desktop includes the following steps:

1. Copying or moving files from the Desktop to another directory, preferably "My Documents" and the the files from the Desktop.
   
2. Deleting and rearranging your shortcut icons
3. Creating shortcuts on the Desktop for the important files that you need to access quickly

Copy or Move Files to My Documents, then Delete from the Desktop

1. Drag-and-drop the file icon from the Desktop to a specific subdirectory in My Documents. If My Documents is not located on Drive C:, the icons remain on the Desktop.If My Documents is located on Drive C:, you are finished.
   
2. If My Documents was not located on Drive C:, drag-and-drop the file icon from the Desktop to the Recycle Bin.
   

Delete or Rearrange Shortcut Icons

First move the files from the Desktop to a specific subdirectory in My Documents.

1. To delete a file, simply click, drag-and-drop the file into the Recycle Bin.
2. If you made a mistake and have not emptied the Recycle Bin, you can open the Recycle Bin and restore (undelete) the file.

Create Shortcuts

You can create Desktop shortcuts to folders or files on your computer, and Internet addresses. You can also create shortcuts to frequently used programs.

To create a shortcut to a folder, file, or Internet address:

1. Righ-click anywhere on the Desktop and select New > Shorcut. The Create Shortcut dialog box appears.
2. In the empty field, paste in the Internet address, or click Browse to search for and select the folder (subdirectory) or file for which you want to create a shortcut.
3. At the bottom of the Create Shortcut dialog box, click Next.
4. Enter a name for the shortcut. For example, "My New Shortcut" and click Finish. The shortcut icon now appears on your Desktop.

To create a shortcut to a frequently used program:

1. Click Start on the Desktop. The Windows Start menu appears.
   
2. Click All Programs. A list of all installed programs appears.
3. Select and right-click the program for which you want to create a shortcut. A menu appears.
   
4. Select Send To > Desktop (create shortcut). The shortcut appears on your Desktop.