like the title says, i have one .dat file on my desktop that i need (as it updates fairly regularly), but it works 'behind the scenes' and i don't want to see it. but, i don't want to disable desktop icons altogether. is there any way to do this on wxp sp2?
tia.
Just use the basic hidden attribute? Right Click-->Properties--> Check hidden box.
What's wrong with that?
-NC
that would cool except i don't want to globally hide hidden files and folders. hmmm...thx nc, i think you've given me an idea...no, nevermind that won't work. but thx.
His idea just makes the one file invisible, not all .dat files.
here's what i'm saying: go to control panel|folder options|view. in there you have 2 choices: 'do not show hidden files and folders' and 'show hidden files and folders.' that is a global setting. the dat file in question is already set to 'hidden' but shows on the desktop anyway, because....? guess which setting i have? that's right...'show hidden files and folders.' i prefer that setting cuz i like to see what i'm seeing when i'm looking at what i'm looking at.
anyways, i'm looking for a way to keep my current setting but hide just the one file. the more i think about it, it probably can't be done. i'll put it on my x-mas wish list!
p.s. i just read this over and i come across a bit...um...attitudinal. didn't mean it that way.
happy christmukah!
Here's an idea for you: cheat!
First, find an invisible icon (one that is fully transparent), and make sure you assign the icon to your batch file. Naturally you'll have to make a shortcut to assign the icon to, but I'm sure you know how that goes.
Secondly, rename your shortcut to " ", by using the invisible character ALT+255. To do that simply right click on the icon, select rename, and type 255 while holding down the ALT key.
There's one important thing you should know though. If the shortcut to the batch file is on your desktop, windows won't let you rename it to ALT+255 for some strange reason. So my suggestion is, move the file to some other folder, rename it, and then move it back to your desktop.
Tada! Now you have a completely invisible icon; yes, it is still on your desktop, and it is selectable, but you can't see it!
edit: I just realized that I left out one little thing; you will also have to set your shortcut overlay to transparent which can be done using TweakUI.
wow, voltaic. you get a '10' for creativity. that ain't it, though. (btw, i think it would have to be alt-0255, not alt-255. whatever.)
see, i got this .dat (not .bat) file that has to be on my desktop. i just don't wanna see it. i think i'm just gonna change my global setting. it's so easy.
thx!
Oh man, I was getting really hopeful here.
Sorry, I couldn't be any more helpful than that; and you might be right, I can't think of any other way to do it, without using a shortcut that is.
Actually shmengie, I'm serious. What's wrong with that, or do you not like that option either?
Oh well...you can never satisfy some people. 
:-P
-NC
I've got another idea, although it still is a workaround.
Once you have all your icons set up on your desktop create a dummy shortcut icon. Now take your .dat file and put in by the left edge of the desktop. Next to the .dat file have your dummy icon ready. Once this is done, deselect the "align to grid" option from your right-click context menu, and then select both the .dat file and the dummy shortcut. Now hold on to the dummy icon and move both of the icons to the left so that the .dat file is off screen.
Done. You can delete the dummy icon and live happily ever after. Except you still want to make sure you don't align the desktop icons to the grid for that will bring the .dat file back on to your desktop.
lol... gotta give voltaic a cookie for being so persistent and creative. =) and alt + 255 is right.
the move it off the desktop method doesn't work too well, I was doing that with my recycle bin until I could find a registry hack compatible with XP, every time I logged back in, it moved itself up :S
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