Desktop properties and screen resolution

I prefer a clean and empty desktop, just a nice background picture, the Recycle Bin and possibly the most used applications. Actually you don't need most shortcuts there, if you have a fast accessible Start Menu and Quick Launch menu. Some icons on the desktop are difficult to remove, to remove them anyway you can make use of the application TWEAKUI.

However most people place a lot of shortcuts on their desktop. I have even seen people placing their personal data on the desktop, which is not a good idea to do so (you better put your data in the My Documents folder and place a shortcut on the desktop by right clicking on the file and choose to copy it to the desktop). If you do place shortcuts on your desktop, I have some extra tips. First of all, it is sensible to choose to Auto Arrange the icons. You can by this by right clicking on the desktop, select Arrange Icons By, and enable Auto Arrange. If not enabled yet, you can also check the Align to Grid option, like shown here.