Conceal Desktop Clutter?

My desktop is cluttered in an organized way, and I like it as is. (I know about burdening the system with Desktop items, so most of my folders are aliases.)
However, when I work in Photoshop I really don't like all those folders peeking around the edges. This is purely psychological & visual. I don't need to be reminded of my last twelve projects when I'm trying to concentrate on the current one. So, I would like to hide/unhide everything on my desktop with a click or two. Is there a way to set this up in OS X 10.9.2?
For awhile I used a little app called HideMyDesktop for this purpose, but I question its willingness to keep up with OS X updates.
BTW, for those with some familiarity with Photoshop, the solution is not simply to blow up the PS window to full screen, because this makes it impossible to pull an image out of the work area and set it aside temporarily while still having access to it.
Thanks!

If Tuttle's TinkerTool method is too cumbersome you can consider making an Automator workflow that uses the 'Run shell script' item.
Open Automator, select a new 'Application' or 'workflow', (you will need to figure out which works best for your situation & how you want to launch the workflow).
Search for the 'Run Shell Script' action (in the 'Utilities' section). Double click to use it in the workflow.
Replace the 'cat' default text with the two lines from the hint…
defaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop -bool false
killall Finder
Hit 'Run' to see if it works - you may get a warning about not using the Finders 'Get specified items' - it's not relevant here so ignore it.
Save it as 'Hide my Desktop' in application format & it should be 'double clickable' (don't put it on the Desktop!).
Repeat the steps with another script that sets the value to true to reinstate the Desktop…
defaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop -bool true
killall Finder
One thing to consider - this is 'killing' the Finder (to make it reload its settings). You don't want to do this when Finder is busy if you are mid way through a file copy it will break the file for example. Finder has been allowed to be 'killed' since OS X started, but it isn't something you want to do all day, everyday.
P.S.
Terminal may be scary, but it can allow you to get a lot more done with fewer steps. Even Automator actions will still make bad things happen if you insert bad Terminal commands. Just take care with typos etc.
I'm sure there are lots of guides on Automator if you get stuck, I rarely use it so I'm not the best for to ask for advice on it.
It is also possible to use 'defaults read com.apple.finder CreateDesktop' - it will tell you if it is set to true (1) or false (0).
You get brownie points if you can read the current state & toggle the Desktop within one script

Similar Messages

2007 MBP (10.5.8) DVI to HDMI to flatscreen, get the desktop picture but nothing else-no dock, no menu bar, no desktop clutter, no arrow. Any ideas?

hmmm-
Anyway-
I connect to the TV and get my desktop image no problem-beautiful-but that's all.
No dock, no menu bar, no desktop clutter, no windows, no pointer.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
S

Your external monitor is in Extended Desktop mode.
There are three modes in which you can view your MBP on the TV:
1. Clamshell mode, in which the MBP's own display is closed and you have an external keyboard and mouse or trackpad connected to it. The menu bar and Dock appear on the external display and you can set its resolution to your liking.
2. Mirrored mode, in which both screens display exactly the same thing at the same resolution. The maximum resolution of the lower-resolution display, whichever it is, will be the maximum for both screens in Mirrored mode. So if you connect a 1920 x 1080 HDTV to a 13" MBP with a maximum resolution of 1280 x 800, 1280 x 800 will be the highest resolution the TV can be set to display in Mirored mode. And if you connect a 1024 x 768 projector to the same MBP, the MBP's built-in screen will switch to 1024 x 768 while the projector is connected in Mirrored mode.
3. Extended Desktop mode, in which the TV serves as a second expanse of desktop onto which you can drag windows from the built-in display by dragging them off one edge of the built-in display. You can choose whether the desktop is extended to the left, right or top of the built-in display by dragging the rectangle that represents the TV in the Displays pane of System Preferences. You can also drag the menu bar onto the TV in the Displays pane of System Preferences, making the TV set your primary display, with the menu bar and Dock on it. In Extended Desktop mode, unlike Mirrored mode, you can set the resolutions of the TV and the built-in display separately, to optimize the image quality on both of them.
Your TV is now in Extended Desktop mode. Open any window on the MBP's display and drag it off the left and right edges of the screen. You will see it slide onto the TV screen on one side or the other. Now go to the Displays pane of System Preferences, click the Arrangement tab, and arrange the positions of the screens and menu bar as you prefer.
You can switch to Mirrored mode if you wish; to toggle back and forth between ED and M mode, just press Command+F1. Mirroring is simpler to understand, but the image quality on an HDTV set that has a typical 1920 x 1080 native resolution will be poor (blurry) if it's forced to operate at a lower resolution to match that of a 13" or 15" MBP display. You cannot set different resolutions on the two displays in Mirrored mode.

How can I find the icon I need among the desktop clutter?

OK, my desktop accumulates a lot of icons, and then it's hard to find the one I need.
I'd like to click on the file name in a window and make the icon obvious, like blink or highlight.
I haven't found anything as part of OSX or Finder, or on Google.
Maybe there's an application that can do this?

You should not clutter up your Desktop with icons!
Performance tip: Keep the Desktop clutter-free (empty, if possible)
Mac OS X's Desktop is the de facto location for downloaded files, and for many users, in-progress works that will either be organized later or deleted altogether. The desktop can also be gluttonous, however, becoming a catch-all for files that linger indefinitely.
Unfortunately - aside from the effect of disarray it creates - keeping dozens or hundreds of files on the Desktop can significantly degrade performance. Not necessarily because the system is sluggish with regard to rendering the icons on the desktop and storing them in memory persistently (which may be true in some cases), but more likely because keeping an excessive number of items on the Desktop can cause the windowserver process to generate reams of logfiles, which obviously draws resources away from other system tasks. Each of your icons on your desktop is stored as a window in the window server, not as an alias. The more you have stored, the more strain it puts on the window server. Check your desktop for unnecessary icons and clear them out.
Keeping as few items as possible on the Desktop can prove a surprisingly effective performance boon. Even creating a single folder on your Desktop and placing all current and future clutter inside, then logging out and back in can provide an immediately noticeable speed boost, particularly for the Finder.
And it is why Apple invented 'Stacks'.

Temps Files and Desktop Clutter

This is my first Mac and learning the quirks can be challenging at times.
I would like to stop the temp files from saving to my desktop, as I am getting really tired of having to delete 10-15 files every single day (help for this on the Windows side under Parallels would be appreciated too, as it is doing the same thing there.)
As found on several sites when searching the internet, I changed Safari and Firefox-Mac version- to /tmp, as that should have stopped files from saving to the desktop. It hasn't.
So I am appealing for help as it is really driving me nuts having all that clutter on my desktop for no reason and they don't go away when you shut down and reboot and having to delete each one is a pain.

I am having the same problem. Whenever I download a file from a website, open an attachment in my email, or open a file on a USB stick, it gets saved to my desktop. I have been through every preferences menu I can find for the Mac and in each application, and I cannot seem to stop this happening. It's really annoying! I also don't want all this clutter saved in my Downloads folder. What I would like is the usual "TEMP" folder which gets cleared out when I shut down.
Anyway, I am a new Mac user; this problem has stumped other experienced Mac users I know and the IT support people at my work. So if anyone out there knows a solution to this problem, please pass it on to me.

Desktop clutter: How to stop opened attachments from saving on desktop?

Hi,
Every time I open (not save) an attachment, a copy of it is automatically saved on my desktop. My desktop continually gets cluttered. I've searched on my computer but can't find where I'd go to change the default settings so this will stop happening.
Thanks for any help!
IBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Are you referring to attachments in email, or
attachments as part of web
pages (such as download are sometimes erroneously
referred) or in what
application are you interested in controlling this
action?
The Finder preferences generally do not blanket
control these kinds of
actions; so if you are using an email application or
a browser with email
handling capabilities, these usually have a set of
preferences you can
control and choose what it does with files downloaded
or attachments.
Some attachments can be set to open in another
window. In some
applications, you could assign a folder once and have
things go into it.
What applications are you using that generate these
attachment files?
Thanks. I am referring to email attachments. I always use Mozilla Firefox to open up email attachments. In Firefox Preferences under the download tab you can choose either "Ask me where to save every file" or "Save all files to this folder." I've set it to "Ask me where to save every file" of course yet this is still saving to my desktop. Further, I don't even want to save the files, the files always save to my desktop when I just try to open, not even save, an attachment.
Thanks for your help.
IBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.8)

I can see my Mac Desktop clutter THROUGH my PS windows

MacOS 10.5.8
iMac 2.66 GH Intel Core 2 Duo
Photoshop CS4 extended (ver 11.0).
My computer's desktop is faintly visible through working Photoshop windows.
When I captured a screen shot (<command><shift>4) it didn't capture the bleed-through so I simulated what it sort of looks like with the included file.

Marion, I didn't know that LCDs burned in. This screen is only six months old.
The phenomenon occurs onbly in Photoshop and Apple's Preview. Also during some Illustrator situations when the app is doing some masking (such as when redefining the "artboard".) I think it has something to do with the OS and possibly part of the GUI which uses translucency as a UI feature. I think the OS is getting confused or possibly the applications are incorrectly handling this OS feature.
Sometimes it is blantently obvious and makes fine image manipulation difficult. Other times it is barely noticeable or absent. I think I'll approach Apple with this. I took some photographs to capture the phenonenon, but the Moire effects make it pretty difficult to see.

Desktop clutter - 3,300 items - ZERO Kb images

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Noted the post by "Old Toad", 29 Sep. 2006 in reply to jjnjr, and feel that my problem is related. In making a backup of my iPhoto library, (DVDs all done succesfully), I have ended up with a long list on my desktop of more than 3,300 items, listed with photo title - (digi.camera ref. nos.), date modified all August 8, 2006, ZERO KB jpeg image in every case.
In the Finder,every time I try to delete one or more, a box comes up saying that the image is in use by OSX and damage may be done.
How can I clear this list, and would it damage anything in the iPhoto library?
Many thanks in advance for any interest.

thomaswilliam:
Welcome to the Apple Discussions. Are you able to create a folder on the desktop and move files into it. If not maybe you can get another Mac, boot your Mac into Target Disk mode and the access it to clean up the desktop using the other Mac.
Do you Twango?
TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.

Folders are disappearing from my desktop I am on 10.6.8

Folders disappeared from my desktop. All the files in a FileMaker Advanced 11 folder which was on my HD disappeared but the folder remained. Files that were on a backup server disappeared - first half, then a few days later the remaining files were gone. On a newly created backup, when folders were recovered from the backup they could not be copied. Duplicate folders had to be created and the files moved to them before they could be copied. Even though the original folders contained files, they showed 0 bytes. After the files were moved the new folder showed 720 KB.

You may find this thread helpful:
https://discussions.apple.com/message/19268163#19268163
but the desktop is not the proper place to keep files and folders:
Performance tip: Keep the Desktop clutter-free (empty, if possible)
Mac OS X's Desktop is the de facto location for downloaded files, and for many users, in-progress works that will either be organized later or deleted altogether. The desktop can also be gluttonous, however, becoming a catch-all for files that linger indefinitely.
Unfortunately - aside from the effect of disarray it creates - keeping dozens or hundreds of files on the Desktop can significantly degrade performance. Not necessarily because the system is sluggish with regard to rendering the icons on the desktop and storing them in memory persistently (which may be true in some cases), but more likely because keeping an excessive number of items on the Desktop can cause the windowserver process to generate reams of logfiles, which obviously draws resources away from other system tasks. Each of your icons on your desktop is stored as a window in the window server, not as an alias. The more you have stored, the more strain it puts on the window server. Check your desktop for unnecessary icons and clear them out.
Keeping as few items as possible on the Desktop can prove a surprisingly effective performance boon. Even creating a single folder on your Desktop and placing all current and future clutter inside, then logging out and back in can provide an immediately noticeable speed boost, particularly for the Finder.
And it is why Apple invented 'Stacks'.

Rogue desktop icons

Once in a while, for no apparent reason, All my desktop icons snap to grid on the right half of the screen. I find them there at startup., and I have to painstakingly reposition them where I want.
This is in spite of the fact that in the Finder's View menu > Show View Options > "None" was selected.
It was suggested that I should delete the .DS_Store file of the Desktop. It is an invisible file which I accessed and deleted via Disk Warrior, but this promising tip did not work.
I wonder if a gifted hacker out there would know of a way to force my desktop icons to remain where I placed them, and I am curious to find out if I am the only one with this problem.
I use an Intel Mac mini 3,1 2.26 GHz 2Gb RAM, running Snow Leopard.
Thank you.

From a recent article in MacFixit:
Performance tip: Keep the Desktop clutter-free (empty, if possible)
Mac OS X's Desktop is the de facto location for downloaded files, and for many users, in-progress works that will either be organized later or deleted altogether. The desktop can also be gluttonous, however, becoming a catch-all for files that linger indefinitely.
Unfortunately -- aside from the effect of disarray it creates -- keeping dozens or hundreds of files on the Desktop can significantly degrade performance. Not necessarily because the system is sluggish with regard to rendering the icons on the desktop and storing them in memory persistently (which may be true in some cases), but more likely because keeping an excessive number of items on the Desktop can cause the windowserver process to generate reams of logfiles, which obviously draws resources away from other system tasks.
As such, keeping as few items as possible on the Desktop prove a surprisingly effective performance boon. Even creating a single folder on your Desktop and placing all current and future clutter inside, then logging out and back in can provide an immediately noticeable speed boost -- particularly for the Finder.

Drag and save images onto desktop

Just wondering if anyone else has noticed that when they drag an image from the internet to save onto the desktop, it will automatically save it in grid and you're not able to save it away from the other icons which usually line up from the right-hand side? Before a recent re-install at the end of Oct '09, I was able to save the images anywhere on the desktop in order to find them more easily than having them bunched in with the already organized icons. My folder settings for desktop do not have snap to grid or keep arranged checked.

Performance tip: Keep the Desktop clutter-free (empty, if possible)
Mac OS X's Desktop is the de facto location for downloaded files, and for many users, in-progress works that will either be organized later or deleted altogether. The desktop can also be gluttonous, however, becoming a catch-all for files that linger indefinitely.
Unfortunately - aside from the effect of disarray it creates - keeping dozens or hundreds of files on the Desktop can significantly degrade performance. Not necessarily because the system is sluggish with regard to rendering the icons on the desktop and storing them in memory persistently (which may be true in some cases), but more likely because keeping an excessive number of items on the Desktop can cause the windowserver process to generate reams of logfiles, which obviously draws resources away from other system tasks. Each of your icons on your desktop is stored as a window in the window server, not as an alias. The more you have stored, the more strain it puts on the window server. Check your desktop for unnecessary icons and clear them out.
Keeping as few items as possible on the Desktop can prove a surprisingly effective performance boon. Even creating a single folder on your Desktop and placing all current and future clutter inside, then logging out and back in can provide an immediately noticeable speed boost, particularly for the Finder.
And it is why Apple invented 'Stacks' for Leopard.
Here is Apple's take on the subject:
http://www.apple.com/pro/tips/immaculate_desktop.html

Does having 3 folders on desktop slow my computer down? See screenshot

Hello all,
Does having 3 folders full of files on my desktop slow down my computer? I have attached a screenshot for reference.
Thank You

If these are actual files and not just aliases, then yes if you are still running Leopard.
Performance tip: Keep the Desktop clutter-free (empty, if possible)
Mac OS X's Desktop is the de facto location for downloaded files, and for many users, in-progress works that will either be organized later or deleted altogether. The desktop can also be gluttonous, however, becoming a catch-all for files that linger indefinitely.
Unfortunately - aside from the effect of disarray it creates - keeping dozens or hundreds of files on the Desktop can significantly degrade performance. Not necessarily because the system is sluggish with regard to rendering the icons on the desktop and storing them in memory persistently (which may be true in some cases), but more likely because keeping an excessive number of items on the Desktop can cause the windowserver process to generate reams of logfiles, which obviously draws resources away from other system tasks. Each of your icons on your desktop is stored as a window in the window server, not as an alias. The more you have stored, the more strain it puts on the window server. Check your desktop for unnecessary icons and clear them out.
Keeping as few items as possible on the Desktop can prove a surprisingly effective performance boon. Even creating a single folder on your Desktop and placing all current and future clutter inside, then logging out and back in can provide an immediately noticeable speed boost, particularly for the Finder.
And it is why Apple invented 'Stacks'.

Desktop is cluttered

My desktop is overflowing with things. How can I organize them (I noticed that I can't cut and paste to a folder like Windows)

HI,
Desktop clutter can cause problems. Read the post by "Klaus1" on this thread.
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=7667118#7667118
Carolyn

All my i photo pictures are on my desktop, now my computer is extremely slow

ll my i photo pictures are on my desktop, now my computer is extremely slow

No surprise there!
You iPhoto Library belongs in your Pictures folder.
Performance tip: Keep the Desktop clutter-free (empty, if possible)
Mac OS X's Desktop is the de facto location for downloaded files, and for many users, in-progress works that will either be organized later or deleted altogether. The desktop can also be gluttonous, however, becoming a catch-all for files that linger indefinitely.
Unfortunately - aside from the effect of disarray it creates - keeping dozens or hundreds of files on the Desktop can significantly degrade performance. Not necessarily because the system is sluggish with regard to rendering the icons on the desktop and storing them in memory persistently (which may be true in some cases), but more likely because keeping an excessive number of items on the Desktop can cause the windowserver process to generate reams of logfiles, which obviously draws resources away from other system tasks. Each of your icons on your desktop is stored as a window in the window server, not as an alias. The more you have stored, the more strain it puts on the window server. Check your desktop for unnecessary icons and clear them out.
Keeping as few items as possible on the Desktop can prove a surprisingly effective performance boon. Even creating a single folder on your Desktop and placing all current and future clutter inside, then logging out and back in can provide an immediately noticeable speed boost, particularly for the Finder.
And it is why Apple invented 'Stacks' for Leopard.

Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Client for Mac Not Working

I recently purchased Office 2011 for Mac. I work at home on my Mac at work on Windows 7. I also have a work laptop, running Windows 7, that comes home with me. My goal is to RDC my Mac to the laptop running Windows 7 to reduce desktop clutter, and easily work between machines.
I CAN NOT FIGURE OUT how to get Microsoft RDC:mac to connect to my pc.
I know that the pc allows remote desktop connections because I often use RDC at work from PC to PC.
SOME PLEASE HELP! I have spent hours and hours trying to figure this out and I think it is the time capsule that is causing the problem.
My research has found that I have to use port 3389 to get this done. I am pretty computer savy but when it comes to networking I guess I have no clue. I have tried just about everything a and can't figure it out.
Thanks to anyone that can dedicate some time to configureing my time capsule to allow for RDC.

I cannot quite put together your whole network..
I work at home on my Mac at work on Windows 7. I also have a work laptop, running Windows 7, that comes home with me. My goal is to RDC my Mac to the laptop running Windows 7 to reduce desktop clutter, and easily work between machines.
So this is in local lan.. the PC laptop running win7 and the Mac loaded with RDC software. If this is local lan then the issue is nothing to do with TC.
That is only if you are trying to connect from work. to home through the router at work and TC at home. On local lan there is no blocking to ports. Are you using the local network IP of the PC Laptop?
Explain a bit further as it needs a bit more clarification.

Tabbed Desktop Browsing - Sticky Windows

I'm sure this must have been discussed quite a bit, but I have searched and not found any discussion threads.
Anyway, I would really like to see Apple include a tabbed desktop feature in future OS versions.
There is one program called Sticky Windows: http://lnx.donelleschi.com/Donelleschi_Software/Face/Face2.php?pag=19_
This program (which no longer works with Snow Leopard) basically allows for a tabbed desktop to easily keep your desktop clutter free and make it easy to switch between windows via tabs.
Personally, I would rather the tabs be located in a horizontal line just underneath the top menu bar, like in Internet browsers or the Thunderbird email client.
In any case, I think this would be a very, very good feature to have and wonder why it is not already offered.
Does anyone have thoughts on this?
Thanks!

There is a similar function available - minimizing. Double-click the top bar of a window, and it shrinks to a small icon on the Dock. Click that small icon, and the window returns to its full-open state.
This may not be as handy for some folk as tabs, but it does allow for a degree of de-cluttering a busy workspace.

Conceal Desktop Clutter?

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