Basic Computer Desktop Question

[CASD]

Does icon and file folders on your desktop effect computer operation? ...reduce Ram..

Basically..does it affect performance?? some of my file folders hold short video's not short cuts but actual video's

[Anupam]

No, they don't affect the performance.

RAM comes into play when apps/software are run, or files are opened, and they load into the memory(RAM) to run from there.

Stored files and folders won't affect performance until and unless the space on that hard drive is getting near to full, and that too on C: drive, because some space on the drive is needed for physical memory where software from RAM are stored when they aren't in the foreground.

[CASD]

Originally Posted by Anupam

No, they don't affect the performance.

RAM comes into play when apps/software are run, or files are opened, and they load into the memory(RAM) to run from there.

Stored files and folders won't affect performance until and unless the space on that hard drive is getting near to full, and that too on C: drive, because some space on the drive is needed for physical memory where software from RAM are stored when they aren't in the foreground.

Thank YOu!!

[MidnightCowboy]

This suggests an opposing view but since I'm no longer a Windows user I can't test the validity.

https://www.lifewire.com/cleaning-an...esktop-3506952

[Anupam]

Thanks MC. The article might be right. I am no expert. I thought that files/folders/icons on desktop don't load into the memory. If they do, then yes, it can have a negative impact on the running of the system.

I personally always keep my desktop pretty clean. No folders or files on there. Just shortcut to software that I need frequently.

Many people have really cluttered desktops. It's like they dump everything there, so it's easier for them to access from there.

[MidnightCowboy]

I also believe wallpaper choice as opposed to a solid color can affect resource use although this would likely only be noticable during remote access operations unless you have a pretty ancient laptop.

[Jojo Yee]

I've zero items on the desktop.

[Burn-IT]

Yes it does affect the overall performance.
So does animated/complex desktop and wallpapers since they have to be redrawn when they are exposed to view and that does take resources.
Obviously a plain colour or none will be less resource heavy.
The desktop is a special folder in Windows and should be kept as clean as possible. If you Do need to put things on there it is far better to just use pointers/shortcuts and keep the actual data elsewhere.

Many download sites are rather naughty/lazy in that they use the desktop as a default location rather than asking or using the current user's download folder.