Deleting of desktop shortcuts

envengineer · External Since: Jun 30, 2009 Posts: 4

I have two users on my PC. Whenever one of us adds a shortcut, that shortcut
is added to both users. My wife and I use different shortcuts on each of our
desktops. How do I delete a shortcut from my desktop that she uses, or from
her desktop that I use, without deleting that shortcut from the others
desktop?
--
envengineer
Dell XPS400, DXP051, BIOS AO3
OS: Windows XP SP3 Professional,
Version 5.1.2600
Browser: IE7.0.5730.13, Build 75730

user1435 · External Since: Nov 15, 2004 Posts: 2429

> I have two users on my PC. Whenever one of us adds a shortcut, that
> shortcut is added to both users. My wife and I use different shortcuts on
> each of our desktops. How do I delete a shortcut from my desktop that she
> uses, or from her desktop that I use, without deleting that shortcut from
> the others desktop?
> --
> envengineer
> Dell XPS400, DXP051, BIOS AO3
> OS: Windows XP SP3 Professional,
> Version 5.1.2600
> Browser: IE7.0.5730.13, Build 75730

Look in c:\documents and settings\all user\desktop and move any shortcuts
to c:\documents and settings\user folder\desktop. User folder will be
either yours or your wifes, by moving the shortcuts out of the "all users"
folder into the folder of the user that uses them, they will remain on the
on the users desktop and be removed from the desktop not used on.

--

Brian A. Sesko
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

Leonard Grey · External Since: Jan 12, 2009 Posts: 98

You don't say what icons you're referring to.

Each user account has their own desktop with their own icons.

In addition, there is a system account called All Users that contains
certain settings intended to be applied to...all users. The All Users
account includes a folder for desktop icons that are supposed to appear
on every user's desktop.
---
Leonard Grey
Errare humanum est

envengineer wrote:
> I have two users on my PC. Whenever one of us adds a shortcut, that shortcut
> is added to both users. My wife and I use different shortcuts on each of our
> desktops. How do I delete a shortcut from my desktop that she uses, or from
> her desktop that I use, without deleting that shortcut from the others
> desktop?

envengineer · External Since: Jun 30, 2009 Posts: 4

Thanks for the response. Your instructions were clear and exactly what I
needed. I was not aware of how the different users desktop related to each
other.
--
envengineer
Dell XPS400, DXP051, BIOS AO3
OS: Windows XP SP3 Professional,
Version 5.1.2600
Browser: IE7.0.5730.13, Build 75730

"Brian A." wrote:

> > I have two users on my PC. Whenever one of us adds a shortcut, that
> > shortcut is added to both users. My wife and I use different shortcuts on
> > each of our desktops. How do I delete a shortcut from my desktop that she
> > uses, or from her desktop that I use, without deleting that shortcut from
> > the others desktop?
> > --
> > envengineer
> > Dell XPS400, DXP051, BIOS AO3
> > OS: Windows XP SP3 Professional,
> > Version 5.1.2600
> > Browser: IE7.0.5730.13, Build 75730
>
> Look in c:\documents and settings\all user\desktop and move any shortcuts
> to c:\documents and settings\user folder\desktop. User folder will be
> either yours or your wifes, by moving the shortcuts out of the "all users"
> folder into the folder of the user that uses them, they will remain on the
> on the users desktop and be removed from the desktop not used on.
>
> --
>
> Brian A. Sesko
> Conflicts start where information lacks.
> http://basconotw.mvps.org/
>
> Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
>
>
>
>

Richard · External Since: May 13, 2009 Posts: 36

> "envengineer" <envengineer RemoveThis @louisville.com> wrote in message
> news:4FA8D617-3ACF-4128-B3F9-E2818233F6E5@microsoft.com...
> I have two users on my PC. Whenever one of us adds a shortcut, that
> shortcut is added to both users. My wife and I use different shortcuts
> on each of our desktops. How do I delete a shortcut from my desktop
> that she uses, or from her desktop that I use, without deleting that
> shortcut from the others desktop?
> --
> envengineer
> Dell XPS400, DXP051, BIOS AO3
> OS: Windows XP SP3 Professional,
> Version 5.1.2600
> Browser: IE7.0.5730.13, Build 75730
>

Hi "envengineer",
You apparently have a solution now. Here's some other info related
to your question you may find useful.

There are 3 sources for the items that appear on each user's desktop.
1. Special items, like "My Computer" that are a part of every desktop.
2. Items from the "All Users\desktop" folder
3. Items from your personal user account desktop folder.

The first, the special icons cannot be deleted, but can be hidden: Right
click on the user's desktop, click Properties, click Desktop tab at top of
dialog, click Customize Desktop. Another dialog should appear with a
"Desktop icons" section at the top. You can un-check any of those you do not
want to appear and click OK at bottom. (And close the first dialog also.)

As other replies have pointed out, any item you do not want to appear on All
Users' desktops should be removed from the All Users\desktop folder and
moved to the individual user account desktop folder. An easy way to access
the various desktop folders is to hold your Windows Logo key down and press
F to activate the search for files and folders. In the "All or part of
filename" box, type the word desktop, and press Enter. In the search results
pane to the right you will see folder icons for each of the desktop
accounts, and to the right, you will see "All Users", and each of your
individual account names. (Ignore the "Administrator" account.) Double click
the All Users desktop folder, and each of the user desktop folders to open,
then resize and position the folders so you can see inside all of them at
the same time. Left-click drag any items from the All Users desktop that
only need to be on one desktop, into the particular user desktop folder. If
there is any item in a particular user folder that both need, move that to
the All Users desktop folder.

When installing software, if the installation program offers the option of
putting a shortcut on All Users' Start Menu (Program group) or desktop,
choose otherwise, or use the above instructions to move the shortcut(s)
later. Right-click your Start button and notice that the context menu has an
"Open" option, and an "Open All Users" option. Start Menu items that you do
not want to appear on each user's Start Menu can be moved out of the All
Users\Start Menu subfolder, and into the particular user's Start Menu
subfolder.

The method above to search for all "desktop" folders can be used to search
for all "Favorites" and "Start Menu" folders also.

You might want to consider this, from a Windows XP HELP topic:

[begin quote:]
Why you should not run your computer as an administrator

Running Windows 2000 or Windows XP as an administrator makes the system
vulnerable to Trojan horses and other security risks. The simple act of
visiting an Internet site can be extremely damaging to the system. An
unfamiliar Internet site may have Trojan horse code that can be downloaded
to the system and executed. If you are logged on with administrator
privileges, a Trojan horse could do things like reformat your hard drive,
delete all your files, create a new user account with administrative access,
and so on.

You should add yourself to the Users or Power Users group. When you log on
as a member of the Users group, you can perform routine tasks, including
running programs and visiting Internet sites, without exposing your computer
to unnecessary risk. As a member of the Power Users group, you can perform
routine tasks and you can also install programs, add printers, and use most
Control Panel items. If you need to perform administrative tasks, such as
upgrading the operating system or configuring system parameters, then log
off and log back on as an administrator.
[:end quote]

Best wishes to y'all. --Richard

envengineer · External Since: Jun 30, 2009 Posts: 4

Thanks Richard. I am always open to learning more.
--
envengineer
Dell XPS400, DXP051, BIOS AO3
OS: Windows XP SP3 Professional,
Version 5.1.2600
Browser: IE7.0.5730.13, Build 75730

"Richard" wrote:

> > "envengineer" <envengineer.RemoveThis@louisville.com> wrote in message
> > news:4FA8D617-3ACF-4128-B3F9-E2818233F6E5@microsoft.com...
> > I have two users on my PC. Whenever one of us adds a shortcut, that
> > shortcut is added to both users. My wife and I use different shortcuts
> > on each of our desktops. How do I delete a shortcut from my desktop
> > that she uses, or from her desktop that I use, without deleting that
> > shortcut from the others desktop?
> > --
> > envengineer
> > Dell XPS400, DXP051, BIOS AO3
> > OS: Windows XP SP3 Professional,
> > Version 5.1.2600
> > Browser: IE7.0.5730.13, Build 75730
> >
>
> Hi "envengineer",
> You apparently have a solution now. Here's some other info related
> to your question you may find useful.
>
> There are 3 sources for the items that appear on each user's desktop.
> 1. Special items, like "My Computer" that are a part of every desktop.
> 2. Items from the "All Users\desktop" folder
> 3. Items from your personal user account desktop folder.
>
> The first, the special icons cannot be deleted, but can be hidden: Right
> click on the user's desktop, click Properties, click Desktop tab at top of
> dialog, click Customize Desktop. Another dialog should appear with a
> "Desktop icons" section at the top. You can un-check any of those you do not
> want to appear and click OK at bottom. (And close the first dialog also.)
>
> As other replies have pointed out, any item you do not want to appear on All
> Users' desktops should be removed from the All Users\desktop folder and
> moved to the individual user account desktop folder. An easy way to access
> the various desktop folders is to hold your Windows Logo key down and press
> F to activate the search for files and folders. In the "All or part of
> filename" box, type the word desktop, and press Enter. In the search results
> pane to the right you will see folder icons for each of the desktop
> accounts, and to the right, you will see "All Users", and each of your
> individual account names. (Ignore the "Administrator" account.) Double click
> the All Users desktop folder, and each of the user desktop folders to open,
> then resize and position the folders so you can see inside all of them at
> the same time. Left-click drag any items from the All Users desktop that
> only need to be on one desktop, into the particular user desktop folder. If
> there is any item in a particular user folder that both need, move that to
> the All Users desktop folder.
>
> When installing software, if the installation program offers the option of
> putting a shortcut on All Users' Start Menu (Program group) or desktop,
> choose otherwise, or use the above instructions to move the shortcut(s)
> later. Right-click your Start button and notice that the context menu has an
> "Open" option, and an "Open All Users" option. Start Menu items that you do
> not want to appear on each user's Start Menu can be moved out of the All
> Users\Start Menu subfolder, and into the particular user's Start Menu
> subfolder.
>
> The method above to search for all "desktop" folders can be used to search
> for all "Favorites" and "Start Menu" folders also.
>
> You might want to consider this, from a Windows XP HELP topic:
>
> [begin quote:]
> Why you should not run your computer as an administrator
>
> Running Windows 2000 or Windows XP as an administrator makes the system
> vulnerable to Trojan horses and other security risks. The simple act of
> visiting an Internet site can be extremely damaging to the system. An
> unfamiliar Internet site may have Trojan horse code that can be downloaded
> to the system and executed. If you are logged on with administrator
> privileges, a Trojan horse could do things like reformat your hard drive,
> delete all your files, create a new user account with administrative access,
> and so on.
>
> You should add yourself to the Users or Power Users group. When you log on
> as a member of the Users group, you can perform routine tasks, including
> running programs and visiting Internet sites, without exposing your computer
> to unnecessary risk. As a member of the Power Users group, you can perform
> routine tasks and you can also install programs, add printers, and use most
> Control Panel items. If you need to perform administrative tasks, such as
> upgrading the operating system or configuring system parameters, then log
> off and log back on as an administrator.
> [:end quote]
>
> Best wishes to y'all. --Richard
>
>
>
>

envengineer · External Since: Jun 30, 2009 Posts: 4

Thanks Leonard. I have received three responses, all with the same
instructions. I thoroughly looked through Windows Help and did not find a
realted topic. Makes me feel less informed. Keep up the good work.
--
envengineer
Dell XPS400, DXP051, BIOS AO3
OS: Windows XP SP3 Professional,
Version 5.1.2600
Browser: IE7.0.5730.13, Build 75730

"Leonard Grey" wrote:

> You don't say what icons you're referring to.
>
> Each user account has their own desktop with their own icons.
>
> In addition, there is a system account called All Users that contains
> certain settings intended to be applied to...all users. The All Users
> account includes a folder for desktop icons that are supposed to appear
> on every user's desktop.
> ---
> Leonard Grey
> Errare humanum est
>
> envengineer wrote:
> > I have two users on my PC. Whenever one of us adds a shortcut, that shortcut
> > is added to both users. My wife and I use different shortcuts on each of our
> > desktops. How do I delete a shortcut from my desktop that she uses, or from
> > her desktop that I use, without deleting that shortcut from the others
> > desktop?
>

user1435 · External Since: Nov 15, 2004 Posts: 2429

You're welcome, glad to see you've sorted it out. Enjoy and have fun.

--

Brian A. Sesko
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

> Thanks for the response. Your instructions were clear and exactly what I
> needed. I was not aware of how the different users desktop related to each
> other.
> --
> envengineer
> Dell XPS400, DXP051, BIOS AO3
> OS: Windows XP SP3 Professional,
> Version 5.1.2600
> Browser: IE7.0.5730.13, Build 75730
>
>
>
> "Brian A." wrote:
>
>>> I have two users on my PC. Whenever one of us adds a shortcut, that
>>> shortcut is added to both users. My wife and I use different shortcuts
>>> on each of our desktops. How do I delete a shortcut from my desktop
>>> that she uses, or from her desktop that I use, without deleting that
>>> shortcut from the others desktop?
>>> --
>>> envengineer
>>> Dell XPS400, DXP051, BIOS AO3
>>> OS: Windows XP SP3 Professional,
>>> Version 5.1.2600
>>> Browser: IE7.0.5730.13, Build 75730
>>
>> Look in c:\documents and settings\all user\desktop and move any
>> shortcuts to c:\documents and settings\user folder\desktop. User folder
>> will be either yours or your wifes, by moving the shortcuts out of the
>> "all users" folder into the folder of the user that uses them, they will
>> remain on the on the users desktop and be removed from the desktop not
>> used on.
>>
>> --
>>
>> Brian A. Sesko
>> Conflicts start where information lacks.
>> http://basconotw.mvps.org/
>>
>> Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>> How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375