My husband says having too many icons on the desktop slows the computer down, is this right?

Question

The desktop is not quite half full with icons, some of which I don't even use so I could delete them but do I really need to?

Answer 1

I suppose it does cause a bit of a slow down cause the computer has to load all of them at startup, you should do what I did & create a new folder on the desktop, call it something like most used proggies or something, open it up & right click on each Icon & drag it into the new folder, release the right click & click move here, then when you're done close the folder, right click on it & drag it down into the taskbar by the start button, there, you have an uncluttered desktop & easy access to all your programs.

Answer 2

Create a new folder by right clicking on the desktop. Name it "Unused Icons" or something similar. Drag and drop some of the least used icons to the new folder, that will clear up the cluttered desktop and still allow you ready access to those icons. The programs associated with the icons WILL slow the computer down. So, if you don't use these programs, go to the control panel and "Add and Remove Programs" to delete these unused programs. Do this housekeeping and then delete the temporary internet files and cookies. Do a defrag, scandisk, and restart the computer. After the scandisk is done, scan for viruses, adware and spyware. Your computer will run a bit faster then. Do regular defrags and delete the temporary internent files and cookies each time your ready to shutdown your internet browser to keep your computer running fast. Adding more memory to the computer will help also. Memory is at bargain price right now, and is one of the easier ways to make your computer run faster.



http://compreviews.about.com/od/tutorials/ss/DIYDeskMem.htm

Answer 3

Windows constantly accesses the contents of your desktop all the time. This causes it to reload all of the icons on the screen which will cause a slight slow-down. The Desktop is just a visual folder that is refreshed constantly and updated. Even if you are using icon caching, it still needs to be updated.

You should remove a majority of your icons/shortcuts/folders into a different folder for a few days and gauge the differences. It may not happen to everyone as all PCs are configured differently in both Hardware and Software. This could also be quite hardware-dependent.

Answer 4

Having too many icons on your desktop will not cause a noticeable performance loss. The processing power needed to display the desktop is minimal. Icons or not. Now if there are a lot of icons on the right side of the taskbar by the clock... that can indicate a lot of programs running in the background. That can cause a serious performance loss.

Answer 5

Too many icons just makes the desktop look cluttered, so you spend time looking around for things. When the Pc boots up, it takes some microseconds to display the logos. As stated by other respondents, the startup programs affect the boot time. I think if you use XP, the cleanup icons come automatically. Next time it does give you the option, use it to remove the least accessed program on the desktop. Otherwise you can use some startup program to disable it. I know the XP startup manager just isnt right to use as it can give error messages, which is probably the thing you want to avoid in the first place.

Answer 6

Probably 3 years ago he would've had a point. If your computer is quite new, then the chances are that it has enough memory for you not to have to worry about that nice hi-res desktop picture and all those icons.

Answer 7

Technically, I suppose that's true, but the amount it is slowed down is going to be measured in milliseconds. Icons are miniscule files, just a few bytes each, you aren't going to be able to see any difference in performance with or with them.



Way back in the dark ages with say, Windows 3.1, a bunch of icons probably would effect performance, but the processors we have now are thousands of times faster and we have thousands of time more RAM, so icons aren't going to have any real effect on a modern computer's performance.

Answer 8

Your husband is right,lot of icons can slow down your computer.

Here's some special recipe to speed up your computer:



1.Remove Unnecessary Software.

You may have a bunch of software packages on your hard drive that are no longer needed, or they were gratuitously installed when you downloaded some other package. Toolbars, file-sharing programs, free email enhancers, online shopping "companions" and download managers are notorious for this practice. These uninvited guests can put a big drag on your startup time, cause web pages to load slowly, and generally slow down your computer.



2.Clean Your Registry

Registry Cleaner can cleans your system registry of unnecessary entries that are created when you install or remove programs on your computer. An "orphaned" registry entry can confuse Windows and cause a delay. Slimming down your registry will make Windows run faster. Sometimes it can speed up your computer up to 300%.Top 5 Regsitry cleaners can be found on this page:

http://www.speed-up-computer.info/index.php?t=respeed



3.Clean out spyware and Malware

Spyware and malware can slow down your system a lot, because they use your resources to generate popup ads, send spam, and often interfere with the operation of good programs.



4.Stop Programs from starting on Windows boot

To prevent programs from launching themselves at start-up.Click Start-Run-Msconfig-Startup,then uncheck unused programs.



5.Clean history and temp files.

Deleting temporary and unnecessary files from your hard drive can improve your computer's performance.



This site http://www.speed-up-computer.info/index.php?t=speed lists a step-by-step guide,hope that help you.



Good Luck!

Answer 9

It has nothing to do with the actual icons. It's what the icons represent. Depending on how much memory it takes up, it could slow your computer down.

Answer 10

Lots of Icons can slow down the computer 9especially during Startup) and after if you don't have sufficient RAM (memory.



I tell people to create Folders on their desktop and place their Icons in them to reduce usage of RAM. For example create a Folder named Crafts and place all your craft links in the folder. That way you only have 1 icon for ALL your craft links Icons



here's some links on some howtos to speedup your comp[uter

Answer 11

Its a good idea to. You can delete them because your programs should be on the Start - Programs lit, and your files can be accessed from their folders. (Check before deleting!)

You can use Then run Ccleaner, use the Issues tool, then the Cleaner. Then go to Tools - Startup and uncheck non essential stuff like your office suite - leave Windows and your security software alone.

http://www.ccleaner.com

You really will notice a difference! Plus you should defragment your hard drive regularly from Start - programs - accessories - system tools - disc defragmenter. Leave the pc while it runs and do it once a month.

Answer 12

The icons themselves won't sluggish you down. they're merely very small shortcuts. in case you have incredibly records and courses stored on the laptop quite of on the C:rigidity or My information, you may desire to ultimately see extra slowness in some issues.

Answer 13

Ehm..

Ccleaner is the application I use to clean up my system when my pc slows down because of viruses, trojans or malwares. Free Download here: http://j.mp/UrAJjD

It's a really nice software.

Bye Bye

Answer 14

On the desktop makes little or no difference, as they are only shortcuts, but on the taskbar (by the clock) too many there will slow boot up.

Answer 15

I don't think it slows down the computer the only thing that slows down your computer really is the startup icons in your task bar when your pc starts.

Answer 16

Yes, a crouded decktop can make for slightly slower running, he is quite correct, you want to keep the desktop as clutter free as possible.



It also helps for general improvement in running speeds to keep to a standard plain background...



For the remould above me, although these files are of an insignificant size generally, the desktop is the one folder and place where your PC is accessing constantly when you enter, exit, minimise or maximise a program, all the clutter has to be re-loaded and this although very slight, can put delays on your system.

Answer 17

Yes, they take up computer thinking time.

Answer 18

I think "No he's wrong" sums it up quite well.



The time difference is minuscule, but it is a common misconception.

Answer 19

*no that is not right all they do is sit there until you want to open one of the programs

Answer 20

it's not correct at all. the icons are barely files. they're basically just links to the actual programs buried inside your computer

Answer 21

just put them in the bin until you want to use them again.