Windows XP in a Nutshell, Second Edition

The Desktop is the "window" that appears behind all other windows . The icons that appear on the Desktop are stored in \Documents and Settings\{username}\Desktop.

Desktop, color

Control Panel Display Desktop tab Color

Control Panel Display Appearance tab Advanced choose "Desktop" from the "Item" list

Desktop, icons

See "Icons".

Desktop, refresh

Click on an empty portion of the Desktop press F5

Desktop, restrict installation of items

Control Panel Internet Options Security tab Custom Level

Desktop, security policies

Group Policy ( gpedit.msc ) User Configuration Administrative Templates Desktop

Desktop, show contents without minimizing applications

Right-click on Taskbar Toolbars Show Desktop

Right-click on Taskbar Toolbars Show Open Windows (to restore)

(Also, you can simply open the Desktop folder in Explorer.)

Desktop Cleanup Wizard, enable / disable

Control Panel Display Desktop tab Customize Desktop General tab Run Desktop Cleanup every 60 days

Desktop web pages, add / remove / hide

Control Panel Display Desktop tab Customize Desktop Web tab

Desktop web pages, allow moving and resizing

Control Panel Display Desktop tab Customize Desktop Web tab Lock Desktop items

Desktop web pages, automatic download of linked pages

Control Panel Display Desktop tab Customize Desktop Web tab select item Properties Download tab

Desktop web pages, automatic updates

Control Panel Display Desktop tab Customize Desktop Web tab select item Properties Schedule tab

Desktop web pages, automatic updates (enable / disable)

Control Panel Internet Options Advanced tag Browsing Enable offline items to be synchronized on a schedule