How to Clean Up Your Windows Desktop GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Software & Apps > Windows 532 532 people found this article helpful

Clean Up Your Windows Desktop

Make better use of your computer's memory

By Mark Baggesen Mark Baggesen Writer Southern Methodist University University of Massachusetts/Amherst The University of British Columbia Mark Baggesen is a former Lifewire writer who has 20+ years' experience and has in web development, communications, web analytics, and databases. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on February 3, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Windows The Ultimate Laptop Buying Guide

What to Know

Put files on the desktop in the My Documents folder (or anywhere other than the desktop).Create shortcuts on the desktop for the files you use frequently. Use the Start Menu to park app shortcuts.Schedule a regular cleaning to put away files as they accumulate on the desktop. Delete files and folders you no longer use. This article explains how to clean up your Windows desktop and keep it that way. Instructions in this article apply to Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7.

How to Clean Up Your Windows Desktop

If your formerly fast-running computer has slowed down noticeably, take a close look at your desktop. Is it littered with icons, screenshots, and files? Each of those items takes memory that your computer could put to better use elsewhere. To speed up your computer, clean your Windows desktop. Each time Windows starts, operating memory is used to display all the files on the desktop and to locate the position of all files represented by shortcuts. If there are dozens of files sitting on the desktop, they use lots of operating memory, essentially for no purpose or gain. The best way to clean up your desktop is to put your documents in the My Documents folder and your other files where they belong (anywhere other than the desktop). If you have numerous files, you can put them in separate folders and label them accordingly. Create shortcuts on your desktop only for the folders or files you frequently use. Simplifying the desktop contents frees up operating memory, reduces the time and frequency the hard drive is in use, and improves the response of your computer to programs you open and things you do. The simple act of cleaning the desktop makes your computer run faster.

How to Keep Your Desktop Clean

The more desktop items you have, the longer it takes for your computer to start up. Make a conscious effort to "park" fewer icons on your desktop. Other steps you can take include: Schedule a weekly or monthly cleaning to corral any stray items that have gathered on your desktop since the last cleanup. Use the Start Menu as a parking place for app shortcuts. Pin any app on your desktop to the Start Menu by right-clicking it and selecting Pin to Start. Delete any shortcuts, screenshots, or files you no longer use.Gather all the files and folders you want to keep on the desktop and instead place them in a single folder on the desktop.Hide all the icons on the desktop by right-clicking on the desktop, going to View and deselecting Show desktop icons in the context menu. Repeat the process to show them again. You may need to organize your Start Menu into groups to keep everything there tidy and accessible. Before you know it, hoarding files on your desktop will be a thing of the past and your computer will be running like it did when it was new. How to Remove Icons From Your Windows Desktop Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Add Shortcuts to Windows 10 Desktops How to Delete Temporary Files in Windows How to Remove the Recycle Bin From a Windows Desktop The 7 Best Ways to Speed up Your Computer How to Sync Your Desktop to the Cloud with OneDrive How to Get Google Calendar on Your Windows Desktop How to Remove Junk Files From Windows 11 Smart Defrag Review (v8) How to Clean Install Windows 8 Pro Upgrade How to Password Protect a Folder How to Clean up Your Facebook Profile How to Remove Icons From Your Windows Desktop How to Modify the Mac Finder Sidebar How to Create a Desktop Shortcut on Windows 16 Ways to Fix It When Windows 11 Folder Thumbnails Aren't Showing Up What lsass.exe Is & How It Affects Your Computer Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies