Desktop shortcuts: Delete vs Hidden?

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I generally keep a clean desktop. I prefer my wallpaper.

What’s the difference between selecting “hidden” in the “General” tab, vs just right-clicking, and hitting “delete?” Neither seems to remove the actual program. (Desired.)

What’s the difference?

Thanks all.

Artie

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Desktop icons are Shortcuts (pointers to the actual program .exe) and deleting them does not delete the program, only the pointer.

Deleting a program (unless it is a portable version) requires using the system uninstall through the Control Panel\Programs & Features or the Settings App\Apps\Installed Apps. Some programs offer their own installer in the menu. Some, like Anti-virus programs & suites, and Firewall applications, often require a special uninstaller, downloaded from the manufacturer, to completely unstall them..

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“Hidden” in the properties refers to the hidden attribute of the shortcut itself for use by File Explorer. Hidden files are not normally listed by File Explorer or the “Dir” command. It is unlikely that property has any effect on the desktop display.

--Joe

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joep517 wrote:

“Hidden” in the properties refers to the hidden attribute of the shortcut itself for use by File Explorer. Hidden files are not normally listed by File Explorer or the “Dir” command. It is unlikely that property has any effect on the desktop display.

Actually, it does. I “googled” how to remove the icons. And that worked. But simply deleting them also worked. That’s what led to my question. I’m not sure what the difference is.

BTW, I don’t want to delete the programs. Just the shortcuts.

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Artie wrote:

I generally keep a clean desktop. I prefer my wallpaper.

Right click on the desktop….

Unchecking the “Show desktop icons” option will give you a totally clean desktop without deleting anything.  Checking the “Show desktop icons” puts them all back.

 

Desktop Asus TUF X299 Mark 1, CPU: Intel Core i7-7820X Skylake-X 8-Core 3.6 GHz, RAM: 32GB, GPU: Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti 4GB. Display: Four 27" 1080p screens 2 over 2 quad.

2 users thanked author for this post.

Artie, NaNoNyMouse

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Absolutely outstanding! That’s exactly what I was looking for.

Thanks TechTango.

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