Ever feel like your shortcuts and file icons are taking over your desktop? You know….something like this:
How am I supposed to enjoy Ginnie J’s photography with all that virtual litter? If your desktop looks like mine, it’s time to throw up some Fences to reclaim your space.
“Fences” is a free software program that you can download here. Once installed, the program will automatically build some default fences and start to organize your clutter. It will look something like this:
Certainly better, but still some room for improvement. Fortunately, Fences will allow you to adjust and customize as much as you want. I decided to delete any empty Fences, change the labels on the rest, and resize to something a little smaller. Here is my final version:
Other options include the ability to adjust transparency of a ‘fenced’ area, remove the labels all together, or to show them only when you hover your mouse over the ‘fenced’ area (see my ‘Work’ fence below). A scroll bar will also appear when you hover over a fence so you can access files inside the fence that aren’t visible on the desktop.
However, the best feature is the ability to hide EVERYTHING with a simple double-click on any empty area of your desktop. Suddenly, nothing is standing between you and the 2031 opening day shortstop for the New York Yankees:
However, if there are certain files or shortcuts you want to keep on your desktop, simply right click on the desired icon(s) and select the option to “Exclude this icon from Fences’ quick-hide”.
Any icons that have been excluded will remain on your desktop while the rest still disappear when you double-click (notice ‘Current Projects’ stuck around):
There you have it. A simple, free application that will allow you to organize your desktop in a way that is intuitive and personalized. You can easily add or delete fences, and you can even take ‘snapshot’ backups and restore at any time to a previous snapshot:
The program works on PCs running XP, Vista or Windows7. I have not found a version for Mac, but then again, my wife uses the Mac, so organization isn’t a problem on that computer. 
I like this! We just bought a brand new laptop with Windows 7 so it's pretty empty right now, but considering how our last computer ended up… I'm gonna need this tutorial soon!
And now I'm all excited to watch Yankee games in 2031. Weird…:o)
Kyle..Happy Birthday, and we loved us the Rush post!
Thanks Kyle…this is great info!
…hey if you need a topic to post about…I'd LOVE to know how you get a "photo" of your exact computer screen (like you did on this post)…I always wonder how people do that…
That is the most beautiful picture of =Aiden I've ever seen! He looks like a little Gap model.
Great tutorial!
I need to send you the full file of that picture… or did I already give it to. I can't remember.
Kyle, thanks for the great tip. You are making me a fan of "Mother Hips."
This is way awesome! I hated how all my folders hid my BG pic too. Thanks so much for sharing!
This is super practical, many many thanks!
O.K. I know you're not supposed to say this about a boy… but that child is gorgeous! Thanks for the tip! I really need my desktop cleaned up!
Good thing I'm a super organized Mac user who doesn't need this software! {Quiet, dramatic sob.}
Well, aren't you so helpful?
And I have no doubt you are raising the 2031 shortstop for the Yankees.
Great tip! And yes, don't clutter up that adorable face!