In Windows 10 and 11, one of the most tempting features is the ability to save a link directly on the desktop. We've all done it. We're in a hurry and need to save a link or a document without having to navigate to the right place to store it. Or during an install, a program asks if we would like a shortcut placed on the Desktop.

But you end up with a mad jumble of icons haphazardly placed in no particular order. Well, that's not good. You could clean it up, deleting the unnecessary ones, rearranging the icons or whatever method you came up with. Or you could just use the auto arrange feature and all your shortcuts get slammed to the left side of your screen in a mad jumble of unrelated icons. Savvier people might just use the 'align to grid' feature to help keep them in orderly groups that you can play with. But most of us just want a clean desktop, but still want to have the convenience of, at least temporarily, to drop a shortcut just so you can find it quickly later. Of course, once that happens, they end up staying there much longer than intended. And, eventually, you end up with the same mess.

But there is a third way, overlooked by many people, that will allow you to have your links readily available but still have a clean desktop. Using a combination of features, your jumble of shortcuts can be accessed quickly, even after 'cleaning' your desktop. To fix it, you don't have to rearrange your icons into some sort of organization. Instead, you can leave your icons smattered all over your desktop and hide them with one single click but still have access to them without reactivating their display on the Desktop!

For complete instructions and a walkthrough
watch the video below