When you first open Windows 7, you will find on your Desktop only the shortcut to Recycle Bin. Depending on your computing habits, you might want to get rid of it or add more useful shortcuts such as: Computer, Network, Control Panel or your User's Files. This tutorial will show how.

The Default Desktop Icons

Windows 7 has a predefined a series of default icons which can be enabled to show up on your Desktop. These are:

• Computer - allows you to browse through the content on your computer and the other computers on your network: partitions, folders, files, libraries, etc.
• Network - shows the list of computers on your network and the folders and devices they share.
• Recycle Bin - the place where deleted files are temporarily stored, until it is emptied.
• Control Panel - allows you to quickly access all important system settings.
• User's Files - provides quick access to your personal folders such as Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, etc.

Enabling or Disabling the Default Desktop Icons

The changes are done from the Desktop Icon Settings window. This window can be opened in several ways.

One method is to right click on the empty area of your Desktop and select Personalize.

This opens the Personalization panel. Next, click on the Change desktop icons link, found on the left side of the window.

Another way to open it, is to go to the Control Panel. Under the Appearance and Personalization category, you will find the Change theme shortcut. Click on it.

In the Desktop Icon Settings window, you have a list with the default icons you can enable or disable. The icons that have the check box selected near their name, are active on your Desktop. The others are not. Simply check the shortcuts you want to have on your Desktop and uncheck the ones you don't.

NOTE: another way to remove any of the standard Desktop shortcuts (except Recycle Bin), is simply to select the one you want removed and press the Delete key on your keyboard. Windows 7 will ask you to confirm the deletion process. Click Yes and you are done.

Conclusion

Enabling or disabling the standard Desktop shortcuts provided by Windows 7 is a very easy task and should not cause problems to anyone. For more articles about customizing shortcuts, check out the articles recommended below.

Related articles:

Customize Your Desktop: Change or Restore Icons for Standard Shortcuts
How To Create Shortcuts
The Biggest Library of Windows 7 Shortcuts
How to Pin Any Folder to the Windows 7 Taskbar