Disable the Windows XP Desktop Cleanup Wizard

Posted by Vic Laurie
January 10, 2008

Microsoft has a thing about keeping your Windows XP Desktop clean. As you have probably noticed, every so often (actually every 60 days) something pops up saying that you have unused icons on your desktop and would you like to remove them. I call it the “desktop nanny” although the official name is the Desktop Cleanup Wizard. Now, I am in favor of a neat desktop also but the wizard is more of an annoyance than a help. First, it only applies to shortcuts and omits other types of possible unwanted icons. Second, it doesn’t actually remove the icons but sweeps them all into a folder on the desktop. And most important, I want to choose how and when my desktop gets tidied and I can do without being nagged by Windows. So I turn it off. Here’s how:

  1. Right-click on an open spot on the desktop.
  2. In the context menu that opens, click “Properties”.
  3. In the dialog box, click the tab “Desktop”.
  4. Click the button “Customize Desktop”.
  5. Make sure the “General” tab is selected.
  6. Uncheck the box labeled “Run Desktop Cleanup Wizard every 60 days”. (See figure below.)
  7. Click “OK” and “OK” again.

Turn off Desktop cleanup wizard

While I don’t think much of Microsoft’s desktop nanny, I am in favor of a well-organized desktop and I will be making some suggestions in coming posts.

Computer management

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