Custom Desktop Setup

[JavaWiz]

For those of you who have customized their PC by removing icons and making a custom desktop, you might want to check out a tool called Iconoid.

You can do a fair amount of customization without having to hack the registry by hand.

I've used to to customize the PC connected to the TV so that on startup, the desktop appears without any icons, but I can easily make them temporarily appear via HotKey or clicking on the desktop.

Features:

Only Iconoid hides and shows the icons when you need them.
Only Iconoid insures that when you restore icon positions, the saved positions do not overlay other icons. Iconoid goes to great lengths to insure that all Icons are visible when you restore Icon positions.
Iconoid can be completely hidden or live in the system tray.
Iconoid is customizable. For example, you can decide what options appear in the tray popup so that you don't have to see a cluttered list of items you don't use.
Iconoid can determine the optimal text background color whenever the wallpaper changes -- automatically.
Iconoid comes with complete source.

[treads6464]

Another program that I have used for quite a long time is Stardock and all the associated programs that run with it. Windowsblinds can customize your desktop based on downloadable themes, Icon Packager can batch change all your systems icons based on icon themes that are downloadable, and othe rpograms that let you change your boot skin, logon screen etc. are all available to make your system your own.
http://www.wincustomize.com check it out.