Holy Grail Mod for Windows 98

My six year old Windows GUI customization project may be nearing an end. The
idea has been to put the heavy hitters in the quick launch toolbar (and
rename them using single keyboard symbols, like } or , put the lesser
shortcuts in a meaningfully organized start menu, and clear the actual
desktop of everything. I've pretty much done that, but Recycle Bin and My
Computer still remain on the desktop. Recycle Bin is in quick launch as well
(as a shortcut to desktop), which is where I access it, and it changes icons
from full to empty just like the real one.

I'd like to know how remove these two items from the desktop, and also what
the law of unintended consequences will be if I do. I don't see the
regressive/gimmicky My Computer as being a biggie since I don't use it, and
could always get to it from Explorer if necessary. RB is a different story
however. I would need to have the quick launch shortcut point to something,
and I'm not sure what. Unfortunately the quick launch bar is not lockable
(that would be a nice mod if anybody knows how), so from time to time, due
to human error, I need to fix it, or parts of it. This means that whatever
the Recycle Bin shortcut pointed to would have to have a context menu or
drag-and-drop option to create a shortcut, so you could then drag it from
the desktop to the quick launch bar.

As a matter of pride, or perhaps humiliation avoidance, I'd would like to
finish this before Microsoft ends their support for Windows 98 in June.

"Roger Fink" wrote in message
...
My six year old Windows GUI customization project may be nearing an end.
The
idea has been to put the heavy hitters in the quick launch toolbar (and
rename them using single keyboard symbols, like } or , put the lesser
shortcuts in a meaningfully organized start menu, and clear the actual
desktop of everything. I've pretty much done that, but Recycle Bin and My
Computer still remain on the desktop. Recycle Bin is in quick launch as
well
(as a shortcut to desktop), which is where I access it, and it changes
icons
from full to empty just like the real one.

I'd like to know how remove these two items from the desktop, and also
what
the law of unintended consequences will be if I do. I don't see the
regressive/gimmicky My Computer as being a biggie since I don't use it,
and
could always get to it from Explorer if necessary. RB is a different story
however. I would need to have the quick launch shortcut point to
something,
and I'm not sure what. Unfortunately the quick launch bar is not lockable
(that would be a nice mod if anybody knows how), so from time to time, due
to human error, I need to fix it, or parts of it. This means that whatever
the Recycle Bin shortcut pointed to would have to have a context menu or
drag-and-drop option to create a shortcut, so you could then drag it from
the desktop to the quick launch bar.

As a matter of pride, or perhaps humiliation avoidance, I'd would like to
finish this before Microsoft ends their support for Windows 98 in June.

Theoretically, you could create shortcuts to Recycle Bin and My Computer
in the QLB, and then hide the Desktop Icons using System Policy Editor.

[Haven't tried it, so I cannot assure you of success.]

To hide the icons on your desktop:

Start the System Policy Editor
Select File / Open Registry
Select Local User
Select Shell / Restrictions
Select Hide all items on Desktop

One side effect is that your CDs will no longer auto play.
The question you are left with is, will the shortcuts still work?

Hugh Candlin wrote:
"Roger Fink" wrote in message
...
My six year old Windows GUI customization project may be nearing an
end. The idea has been to put the heavy hitters in the quick launch
toolbar (and rename them using single keyboard symbols, like } or
, put the lesser shortcuts in a meaningfully organized start menu,
and clear the actual desktop of everything. I've pretty much done
that, but Recycle Bin and My Computer still remain on the desktop.
Recycle Bin is in quick launch as well (as a shortcut to desktop),
which is where I access it, and it changes icons from full to empty
just like the real one.

I'd like to know how remove these two items from the desktop, and
also what the law of unintended consequences will be if I do. I
don't see the regressive/gimmicky My Computer as being a biggie
since I don't use it, and could always get to it from Explorer if
necessary. RB is a different story however. I would need to have the
quick launch shortcut point to something, and I'm not sure what.
Unfortunately the quick launch bar is not lockable (that would be a
nice mod if anybody knows how), so from time to time, due to human
error, I need to fix it, or parts of it. This means that whatever
the Recycle Bin shortcut pointed to would have to have a context
menu or drag-and-drop option to create a shortcut, so you could then
drag it from the desktop to the quick launch bar.

As a matter of pride, or perhaps humiliation avoidance, I'd would
like to finish this before Microsoft ends their support for Windows
98 in June.

Theoretically, you could create shortcuts to Recycle Bin and My
Computer
in the QLB, and then hide the Desktop Icons using System Policy
Editor.

[Haven't tried it, so I cannot assure you of success.]

To hide the icons on your desktop:

Start the System Policy Editor
Select File / Open Registry
Select Local User
Select Shell / Restrictions
Select Hide all items on Desktop

One side effect is that your CDs will no longer auto play.
The question you are left with is, will the shortcuts still work?

Thanks Hugh, I'll try it post back. Easy enough to change back if shortcuts
don't work.
Disables auto play, eh? That is bizarre. Glad I asked.

"Roger Fink" wrote in message
...

. . . Recycle Bin and My
Computer still remain on the desktop. Recycle Bin is in quick launch as
well
(as a shortcut to desktop), which is where I access it, and it changes
icons
from full to empty just like the real one.

I'd like to know how remove these two items from the desktop, and also
what
the law of unintended consequences will be if I do. I

TweakUI offers the simplest way of controlling Desktop.
If you dislike any of its changes you can undo them.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

Roger Fink wrote:
My six year old Windows GUI customization project may be nearing an
end. The idea has been to put the heavy hitters in the quick launch
toolbar (and rename them using single keyboard symbols, like } or ,
put the lesser shortcuts in a meaningfully organized start menu, and
clear the actual desktop of everything. I've pretty much done that,
but Recycle Bin and My Computer still remain on the desktop. Recycle
Bin is in quick launch as well (as a shortcut to desktop), which is
where I access it, and it changes icons from full to empty just like
the real one.

I'd like to know how remove these two items from the desktop, and
also what the law of unintended consequences will be if I do. I don't
see the regressive/gimmicky My Computer as being a biggie since I
don't use it, and could always get to it from Explorer if necessary.
RB is a different story however. I would need to have the quick
launch shortcut point to something, and I'm not sure what.

Uhhh...point it to "Recycle". Open Explorer, browse to "Recycle", make
a shortcut in the usual way(s).

BTW, you can also "meaningfully organize" toolbars. You can make
additional ones that function just like Quick Launch (which is nothing
special, just a built in toolbar). You can make toolbars and catagorize
them by app types; you can put folders in them to sub-catagorize; they
need not reside on the taskbar. All they (additional toolbars) are is a
folder somewhere containing whatever you want to appear on the toolbar.
I currently have taskbars on the bottom and both sides of my monitor
(all autohide). They contain a total of 12 toolbars which contain a
total of 180+ shortcuts to frequently used apps, URLs, folders, etc.
All catagorized, nothing on my desktop save temporary folders/files with
which I am currently working. Haven't been to "Start" in weeks. See my
dandies below for more info on "Taskbars & Toolbars" in the "Handy
Dandies" section.

--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

dadiOH wrote:
Roger Fink wrote:
My six year old Windows GUI customization project may be nearing an
end. The idea has been to put the heavy hitters in the quick launch
toolbar (and rename them using single keyboard symbols, like } or ,
put the lesser shortcuts in a meaningfully organized start menu, and
clear the actual desktop of everything. I've pretty much done that,
but Recycle Bin and My Computer still remain on the desktop. Recycle
Bin is in quick launch as well (as a shortcut to desktop), which is
where I access it, and it changes icons from full to empty just like
the real one.

I'd like to know how remove these two items from the desktop, and
also what the law of unintended consequences will be if I do. I don't
see the regressive/gimmicky My Computer as being a biggie since I
don't use it, and could always get to it from Explorer if necessary.
RB is a different story however. I would need to have the quick
launch shortcut point to something, and I'm not sure what.

Uhhh...point it to "Recycle". Open Explorer, browse to "Recycle",
make a shortcut in the usual way(s).

Not sure what I was thinking there, or if in fact I was thinking at all.
Somewhere on this computer I have a version of the directory tree, I think
it's on my utilities program, that shows a recycle bin in each drive and I
guess that's what prompted the question.

BTW, you can also "meaningfully organize" toolbars. You can make
additional ones that function just like Quick Launch (which is nothing
special, just a built in toolbar). You can make toolbars and
catagorize them by app types; you can put folders in them to
sub-catagorize; they need not reside on the taskbar. All they
(additional toolbars) are is a folder somewhere containing whatever
you want to appear on the toolbar. I currently have taskbars on the
bottom and both sides of my monitor (all autohide). They contain a
total of 12 toolbars which contain a total of 180+ shortcuts to
frequently used apps, URLs, folders, etc. All catagorized, nothing on
my desktop save temporary folders/files with which I am currently
working. Haven't been to "Start" in weeks. See my dandies below for
more info on "Taskbars & Toolbars" in the "Handy Dandies" section.

My toolbar is multi-culti, has all sorts of stuff on it, just wish I could
lock it, that's all.

Hugh Candlin wrote:
"Roger Fink" wrote in message
...
My six year old Windows GUI customization project may be nearing an
end. The idea has been to put the heavy hitters in the quick launch
toolbar (and rename them using single keyboard symbols, like } or
, put the lesser shortcuts in a meaningfully organized start menu,
and clear the actual desktop of everything. I've pretty much done
that, but Recycle Bin and My Computer still remain on the desktop.
Recycle Bin is in quick launch as well (as a shortcut to desktop),
which is where I access it, and it changes icons from full to empty
just like the real one.

I'd like to know how remove these two items from the desktop, and
also what the law of unintended consequences will be if I do. I
don't see the regressive/gimmicky My Computer as being a biggie
since I don't use it, and could always get to it from Explorer if
necessary. RB is a different story however. I would need to have the
quick launch shortcut point to something, and I'm not sure what.
Unfortunately the quick launch bar is not lockable (that would be a
nice mod if anybody knows how), so from time to time, due to human
error, I need to fix it, or parts of it. This means that whatever
the Recycle Bin shortcut pointed to would have to have a context
menu or drag-and-drop option to create a shortcut, so you could then
drag it from the desktop to the quick launch bar.

As a matter of pride, or perhaps humiliation avoidance, I'd would
like to finish this before Microsoft ends their support for Windows
98 in June.

Theoretically, you could create shortcuts to Recycle Bin and My
Computer
in the QLB, and then hide the Desktop Icons using System Policy
Editor.

[Haven't tried it, so I cannot assure you of success.]

To hide the icons on your desktop:

Start the System Policy Editor
Select File / Open Registry
Select Local User
Select Shell / Restrictions
Select Hide all items on Desktop

One side effect is that your CDs will no longer auto play.
The question you are left with is, will the shortcuts still work?

I'm afraid that particular policy change turns out to be akin to going duck
hunting with a Howitzer, something I hear my esteemed Vice-President may be
seriously considering.

When you make that change, you can no longer a) create a desktop shortcut
from Explorer, b) cut/copy and paste from Explorer, and, c) bring up a
desktop right click context menu. You probably can't Save to Desktop either,
but I never tested that.

I never figured out what disable active desktop meant, but if this is not
it, it's at least freezing it in time.

I'll try TweakUI next, but if the same thing happens then I'm out of ideas
until someone replenishes them.

The machine also complained a little bit about the change as well, throwing
up a BSOD after an otherwise successful reboot, but this is what I love
about Windows 98 - when you hit the reboot button you still have to pray,
but not nearly as hard as with the Improved Versions, so one more reboot and
now I'm cruising down the Autobahn at 35 mph like nothing had happened.

See my tips site: Hiding My Computer. There may be some third party
program that allows My Computer to be removed; however, I don't know of it.

You can remove the recycle bin using TweakUI, Desktop tab. Tweak UI is
available from:
http://www.microsoft.com/ntworkstati.../NTTweakUI.asp
Right-click the TweakUI .inf file and select install. Should a notice
appear saying a disk is required, click OK and another screen appears. Click
browse, go to the folder containing Tweak and click OK and OK.


--
Regards


Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo



"Roger Fink" wrote in message
...
My six year old Windows GUI customization project may be nearing an end.
The
idea has been to put the heavy hitters in the quick launch toolbar (and
rename them using single keyboard symbols, like } or , put the lesser
shortcuts in a meaningfully organized start menu, and clear the actual
desktop of everything. I've pretty much done that, but Recycle Bin and My
Computer still remain on the desktop. Recycle Bin is in quick launch as
well
(as a shortcut to desktop), which is where I access it, and it changes
icons
from full to empty just like the real one.

I'd like to know how remove these two items from the desktop, and also
what
the law of unintended consequences will be if I do. I don't see the
regressive/gimmicky My Computer as being a biggie since I don't use it,
and
could always get to it from Explorer if necessary. RB is a different story
however. I would need to have the quick launch shortcut point to
something,
and I'm not sure what. Unfortunately the quick launch bar is not lockable
(that would be a nice mod if anybody knows how), so from time to time, due
to human error, I need to fix it, or parts of it. This means that whatever
the Recycle Bin shortcut pointed to would have to have a context menu or
drag-and-drop option to create a shortcut, so you could then drag it from
the desktop to the quick launch bar.

As a matter of pride, or perhaps humiliation avoidance, I'd would like to
finish this before Microsoft ends their support for Windows 98 in June.

TweakUI removed Recycle Bin from the desktop but also from Explorer (the
"global" RB, not the RB's associated with individual drives, which are
visible in "show all files" mode). Remembering that my intent is to be able
to access RB from quicklaunch, this creates a problem because the empty/full
icon change in QL seems only to work off of the desktop (or Explorer
"global") RB. You can create a shortcut to QL from, say, the RB associated
with C Drive but when I deleted a file to the bin, it didn't generate an
icon switch. I did open the bin and the deleted file was in there. As a side
note, the context menu seemed to grow quite a bit too.

Perhaps you or others would care to comment on the following hacks gleaned
from the internet a little while ago. I haven't tried anything yet, but I'm
game on the assumption that I can revert if necessary. This will be a little
long, sorry:

I was able to remove all icons except for My Computer
Icon, does anyone know how to remove this icon???

To delete the "My Computer" ICON from the desktop, you can
use RegEdit to delete the subkey entry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\
SOFTWARE\
Classes\
CLSID\
{20d04fe0-3aea-1069-a2d8-08002b30309d}

That should do it.

Gerard S

-----------
AND
-----------

Rename or Delete Special Folders (Windows 9x and NT) This setting allows
you
to rename and delete special folders (such as the Recycle Bin) as if it was
a normal folder by right-clicking the icon.

Set the value of "Attributes" in the appropriate key below to "70 01 00 20",
you will then be able to rename and/or delete any special folders by
right-clicking them.

Start/Run/Regedit : Recycle Bin
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\ShellFolder]

Search the [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID] key for any other folders you want to
modify.

Registry Settings:
Value Name: Attributes
Data Type: REG_BINARY (Binary Value)
Data: (70 01 00 20=enable, 40 01 00 20=default)

Disclaimer: Modifying the registry can cause serious problems that may
require you to reinstall your operating system. There is no guarantee that
problems resulting from the incorrect use of the registry can be solved. Use
the information provided at your own risk.

Best of Luck,
Kelly




Ron Badour wrote:
See my tips site: Hiding My Computer. There may be some third party
program that allows My Computer to be removed; however, I don't know
of it.

You can remove the recycle bin using TweakUI, Desktop tab. Tweak UI
is
available from:

http://www.microsoft.com/ntworkstati.../NTTweakUI.asp
Right-click the TweakUI .inf file and select install. Should a notice
appear saying a disk is required, click OK and another screen
appears. Click browse, go to the folder containing Tweak and click OK
and OK.



"Roger Fink" wrote in message
...
My six year old Windows GUI customization project may be nearing an
end.
The
idea has been to put the heavy hitters in the quick launch toolbar
(and
rename them using single keyboard symbols, like } or , put the
lesser shortcuts in a meaningfully organized start menu, and clear
the actual
desktop of everything. I've pretty much done that, but Recycle Bin
and My Computer still remain on the desktop. Recycle Bin is in quick
launch as
well
(as a shortcut to desktop), which is where I access it, and it
changes
icons
from full to empty just like the real one.

I'd like to know how remove these two items from the desktop, and
also
what
the law of unintended consequences will be if I do. I don't see the
regressive/gimmicky My Computer as being a biggie since I don't use
it,
and
could always get to it from Explorer if necessary. RB is a different
story however. I would need to have the quick launch shortcut point
to
something,
and I'm not sure what. Unfortunately the quick launch bar is not
lockable (that would be a nice mod if anybody knows how), so from
time to time, due
to human error, I need to fix it, or parts of it. This means that
whatever
the Recycle Bin shortcut pointed to would have to have a context
menu or drag-and-drop option to create a shortcut, so you could then
drag it from
the desktop to the quick launch bar.

As a matter of pride, or perhaps humiliation avoidance, I'd would
like to
finish this before Microsoft ends their support for Windows 98 in
June.