How do I DISABLE icon previews of PDF's on the Desktop only? Windows 7

Question

Acrobat Pro XI
Windows 7 Professional
My desktop icons USED to show only the standard PDF icons, now I have a MIX of them - some are previews (which I dislike) and some are standard.
I've searched for hours and had zero success.  I tried changing just the desktop folder view, as suggested in another thread.  However, this is a global thing (Microsoft told me), so that one is washed out.
I really dislike the previews and would prefer the icons but only on the desktop!
Is there some way of doing this without having to follow some 15-step process or downloading some third-party program?
I do NOT have, nor would I want to, have reader on my system (as some had suggested in another thread), since I use the full version. 
Any ideas??

Answer 1

Thanks Thom,
Apparently this is an issue with the Chrome browser.  When I switched to Firefox (using Adobe X) I was able to view the PDF as I am accustomed - without the extra download box appearing.
Whether the file is technically downloaded or not is not so much the issue as the work flow and dislplay. 
To be clear, when using Chrome browser and Adobe X - when I click a PDF link the file downloads at bottom of screen prompting me to save or discard.  Then another click to view.  Also, my downloads get filled up with a huge repetitive list and also chewing up memory.  Apparently Chrome does this for security reasons.
When using Chrome (perhaps an older version) and Adobe 9, when I would click a PDF link it would display immediately in the browser - No download box - no extra click - and since the PDFs did not appear on my download list I assumed they were not downloading.  Again, whether the technically are or not is not my concern.  I have to view hundreds of data sheets per week and a one click - immediate view - no cluttering of download list is what I'm trying to achieve as I'd had before.
Now, when using Adobe X on Firefox, it works as it used to - one click - immediate browser display.  So that's why I said it must due to Chrome's way of handling the PDFs via Adobe's reader.
On a side note, after reading some security bulletins I see that Adobe 9 is now considered a significant risk for malware writers so I'm going to have to keep X.  Personally I'm not thrilled with the layout of X - the floating ghost toolbar and no trace of the traditional layout.  Why they see fit to compulsively change the look I haven't a clue.  IMO the older one was much more sensible and easy to navigate.  I'll take function over features.
Thanks again.