Question of the Day: Do You Keep Your Desktop Clean

by Mandi on April 11, 2011

Do You Keep Your Desktop Clean?

source: opapao

I’m a little bit fanatical about keeping my computer desktop clean. I often save files there temporarily, but I clear them once or twice a day. However, I know there are plenty of people who keep multiple programs or files on their desktop all of the time!

So today I want to know…

How many shortcuts are currently on your desktop?

Do you clean them up regularly?

How do you use your desktop?

Do you like your current system?

Looking forward to reading your answers!

Tagged as: computer files, questions of the day

  • nancy_purple

    My desktop is far from clear. There are currently 73 icons on my desktop, lined up they take up about half the space across the screen. My husband gets frustrated looking for something, that is usually right under his nose on the desktop, but between so many icons and the background picture (right now it is the undersea scene with the sea-star, that makes it look a little jumbled). Some of the icons are actually used on a regular basis (maybe 15-20 of them tops, I will admit), some are old files I have “temporarily” saved on the desktop planning to put them “away” later, or delete them later. I don’t mink electronic clutter, since it doesn’t take up any physical space. But I will admit it makes it harder to find what I’m looking for. I have moved the 4 or 5 most used items to the right side, so we can both quickly see them.
    I SHOULD Do Better! But it’s not my “clean up” priority! So I don’t see it changing anytime soon!

    • http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

      I don’t think you’re alone in that perspective, Nancy! Thanks for sharing!

  • http://www.theunemployedlibrarian.blogspot.com Elizabeth L.

    I use my work computer most often so my answer comes from that computer. Currently they’re are 12 icons, but I only use 6 of them. The others have to be there since it’s the company’s computer, not mine. I rarely use my desktop, except in the mornings to open my email and Firefox. If I need to open something else after that, I use the start button. It’s pretty much how I run my computer at home too, except there I have only the icons I actually use. My system suits me just fine!

  • Melanie

    My desktop at work has 7 icons. I prefer it as clean as possible. I use it as a temporary home for files I’m using but usually delete them within a day or two. My desktop at home has all kinds of random stuff on it and it drives me crazy but I try to ignore it because my husband does like to put everything on it! Good question!

    • http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

      Sharing a computer is harder than sharing a home, in my opinion, LOL!

  • Catherine

    I have 34 icons on mine right now (I was surprised it was that many – it doesn’t look that much). I never save files there – these are mostly links to programs I regularly use (although there are a few that could go – I clean them up periodically). They only take up approx. 1/4 of the screen and they don’t bother me. I rarely see the desktop anyway – I just go there to open certain programs or I am working in a program or on the internet. Suits me.

  • JLR

    I have program shortcuts on my work desktop. I also save documents to the desktop while I’m working on them, then copy them to the network server and delete them off the desktop. The server has a tendency to corrupt documents during the save process so I keep it on the desktop until it’s complete. At home I have more than I need on the desktop. There’s program shortcuts I don’t use (I use the quick launch). There’s a bunch of folders holding my kids’ stuff. I keep it all to the side so it at least looks neat.

    • http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

      I think the number of files on my desktop ebbs and flows depending on how
      many projects I’m working on, and there are definitely times when the goal
      is “neat”, not “empty”.

  • Tracy

    I currently have 49 icons and 2 gadgets on my desktop :-/ I also admit there is a folder called “old desktop stuff” which includes 2 more folders of “old desktop stuff” which is how I usually “clean it up”. Just don’t ask me about email. Hi my name is Tracy…I am an e-hoarder.

    • http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

      LOL, an “e-hoarder” — maybe we could start a new reality show!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1652473072 Sarah Whinnery

    I am with you. The only thing that is on my desktop regularly is my recycle bin. Beyond that I keep a few files there for projects that I am currently working on, but they get filed away no later than the end of the day

    • http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

      It’s kind of liking waking up to a clean kitchen counter — just nice to
      start the day with a clean slate!

  • http://livingthebalancedlife.com Bernice Wood

    See, that is where you and I balance each other out Lynn! I get you thinking just a little deeper, and you get me to lighten up a little, lol!
    Bernice

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