Cluttered Desktop = slower PC?

Doublespresso

This might be a silly question but it's not clear to me whether a cluttered Desktop (on XP) hinders the performance of a PC - or not?

Any other tips to keep a PC/Laptop running as fast as when new?

isofa

I find, in general that less desktop icons makes the system faster, probably because it doesn't have to keep drawing all the icons, and refreshing the screen.

Which doesn't really explain why I have more than 60 icons there at the moment, must sort things out

The best way to keep a system running quickly is to regularly defrag., remove temp files and cache clutter (use CCleaner), keep plenty of free space available on your system volume, remove old applications you no longer use and, for optimum performance: wipe and reinstall from scratch every few years, it's amazing the difference it makes, just like buying a new PC - but it is a headache if you have hundreds of applications!

BillScarab

I seem to recall reading years ago that it could slow down your system when it first loaded but I doubt very much if it would make any difference on a modern system.

Perosnally I like a clean desktop with very few icons, preferably no more than a dozen as othewise I can never find the one I want. In comparsion one of my colleagues at work has his desktop completely full, he can't fit another icon on there. I've no idea how he ever finds the ones he doesn't use regularly.

Zahc

I doubt it would make much difference on a modern system. I'm a quick launch man myself (or so my missus tells me!).

Zahc

System

Create a new icon and call it unused icons. Then scour your desktop and drag anything that is not used, but you wish to keep into it.

I had a thing about photographic suites. Some did things others didn't and some were more complicated than others, so I did the same there, I created a new icon and called it photo suites, and other than my regular (picasa) they're all in there.

isofa

I guess it just depends how you work, I have an in icon for every drive, device and share on my right hand side, which saves burying into My Computer or the network icons. Then on the left I have document folder links, projects I'm working on etc. + all quick saves / tests before they get filed away (bad habit, but good for quick testing). Then at the top I have all sorts of folder links for photos, system tools, utilities, virtual PCs etc. 95% are shortcuts, not actual files or folders though. I also have all my everyday apps in my quick launch, and a quick launch pop-up menu with 50 commonly used utilities.

I can find anything in an instant But I'm not your average user!

Starting up is slowed down, and if you are maxing out RAM usage, I've noticed it take a tiny bit longer to redraw the desktop when returning from a heavy app, but then my huge full res desktop picture probably doesn't help

chunter

The answer is yes, same way as having a background image on your screen will slow it down. As mentioned above, the icons and screen need to be drawn again when you move and alter windows on your screen.

How much is dependent on the speed of you system.

A blank 1 colour background will speed you up as well - less to figure out.
As will having a smaller screen resolution. (800x600) - less to draw

sleep2much

The unwanted programmes running down by your taskbar clock will effect your system more than a few shortcut icons.