MOUSE CLIX

THE ICON THAT CAME TO DINNER (Yardley News 10/22/00)

By: Hobie Lunin

Remember Sheridan Whiteside? He was the main character in the play/movie, "The Man Who Came To Dinner". An obnoxious busybody who came to dinner, fell, broke his leg, stayed on for months, driving his hosts crazy.

I bet you know some icons like that. Can't get them off your screen. No matter what you do, they won't go away. Here are a few ideas for removing them.

Start with dragging the icon and dropping it on the "trash bin" icon on your desktop. For those readers who are beginners, left click on the icon and hold down your finger on the clicker while moving the icon directly to the "recycle bin", then release your finger. Removing an icon does NOT remove the program.

If the icon won't go peaceably, turn up the heat by right clicking it and then left clicking on "delete".

If the icon steadfastly holds on, here's what to try next. Find the program by clicking on "start" and pointing to "programs". When you point to the name of the program with the tenacious icon, see if an "uninstall" option is available. Often, the icon will disappear when the program is uninstalled. If you want the program but not the icon, don't do this one.

Instead, right click on the "taskbar" normally found at the bottom of your desktop (it has the "start" button at one end of it.) Right click on a blank place on the bar. A menu will appear, click on "properties". Then click on the tab labeled "start menu programs". Then click on the "remove" button. A list of all the items on your start menu will appear including those whose icons are on your desktop, then follow the directions at the top of the "remove shortcuts from start up menu" screen.

Yet another way to remove a program and it's icon is to click on "my computer" then "control panel" and then on "add/remove programs". Follow the instructions. If all else fails (and I recommend this), buy a software disk that advertises that it safely removes unwanted programs. Follow the directions to install it. Any new software may not install all files when it determines a file is already in another program. When you go to uninstall that program, it might take a file with it that prevents you from using a completely different application. That's called "throwing the baby out with the bath water". Software removal programs are specifically designed not to remove a file that is needed by another program.

It is entirely possible that this still won't remove the insidious icon. This requires more work, but rather than take space here for that problem, please write me at the address below and I will send you a response. I recall that the "aol" icon was an "icon that came to dinner", but with some determination and perseverance, it is no longer on my desktop.

What will you do if you really want an icon? Let's say you installed a new program that you like, and use frequently, and the installation did not leave an icon on the desktop. Or maybe there is a file in a folder somewhere that you refer to frequently like a "to-do list", or a picture in a file that you like to fill the screen with every now and then.

To put a shortcut on the desktop: Click the item, such as a file, program, folder, printer, or computer, which you want to create a shortcut to. On the "file" menu, click "create shortcut". Drag the shortcut icon onto the desktop. It is easiest to drag the icon to the desktop if you have made the window small enough so the desktop is visible around it. You can change the name of the shortcut/icon by right clicking on it and left clicking on "rename". I have found instances where these instructions do not apply, when I cannot find "create shortcut" in the File menu.

In those cases, I find the file or program in Windows Explorer, right click on the little icon next to the file name and left click to make a shortcut. A copy of the icon will appear at the bottom of the list that it is in with a (2) in it. "Drag and drop" this on the desktop. Then right click to rename and remove the (2).

Well, now you have the icon on the desktop, how do you move it around? Just drag it to where you want it and let it go. It will stay there. To line up your icons neatly on your desktop, right click an empty space on the desktop, and left click on "line up icons".

Lastly, suppose you want to change the icon you are using. There are sites on the Internet where you can find new ones at no charge. However, there are some in your computer that you may not have seen before. Here is how to find them.

Right click the icon you want to change. Left click on "properties", click on the "shortcut" tab and then on "change icon". Depending on the application, there will be a good-sized collection of alternate icons you can use by highlighting the one you want and clicking on "OK". (Note: This will not work on every icon, you won't see the "shortcut" tab.)

Now that you have the icons you want and have them all nice and neat, remember that these shortcuts are to make it easy for you to open files or programs you use frequently. Don't clutter up your desktop with icons for applications that you never use.

In the final scene of "The Man Who Came to Dinner", Mr. Whiteside is well enough to go, but as he leaves we hear him scream. He has fallen down the front steps. As the curtain closes, we see the host banging his head against the fireplace mantel. I hope this article on shortcuts/icons, will keep you from doing the same.

Please note that some of the instructions above may not work in your version of Windows or in all applications.