Removing all icons from the Windows XP desktop and make them Reappear in 10 seconds

• Disabling the icons on the desktop is actually a very simple task. Most people never know about this feature, because it is placed where you would really never expect it.

To get started,

I like to be able to see my desktop wallpaper and not have my
view of the wallpaper blocked by useless icons. One great way to win the never-ending desktop war is to just disable the desktop’s ability to show the icons and instead place the most common desktop icons, such as My Computer and the Recycle Bin, on the Quick Launch bar.

• Just right-click Desktop.
• Then expand "Arrange Icons By"
• select Show Desktop Icons to unselect it.
• After a few seconds, the icons will disappear.
  

This is a very simple way to quickly clean up the desktop. It’s sort of like sweeping the dirt
under a desk. The desktop clutter is still there, but you just can’t see it.