Keep selective desktop icons for users

Question

I am having windows server 2019. I want to keep only 2 desktop icons for users and want to hide/remove remaining all icons.

All users login to my Cloud server using Remote Desktop.

I tried "Hide desktop icons" policy from GPO but it hide all the icons. Then how can I keep required 2 icons on desktop?

Can anyone here help me?

Answer 1

Hello,

Before you enable the "Hide desktop icons" policy from GPO, try creating a desktop shortcut for the two selected desktop icons via GPP:

User Configuration –> Preferences -> Windows Settings -> Shortcuts.

Here's a detailed guide:

Create Desktop Shortcuts on Domain Computers via GPO | Windows OS Hub

The GPO at the top of the list has the highest precedence and will be applied last, its settings will override any conflicting settings from GPOs lower in the list. See reference: Group Policy Processing Order (GPO Hierarchy) - Active Directory Pro

Note: Since the websites are not hosted by Microsoft, the links may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this information. 

I hope this information helps.

Best regards,

Karlie Weng

Answer 2

Hello,

Before you enable the "Hide desktop icons" policy from GPO, try creating a desktop shortcut for the two selected desktop icons via GPP:

User Configuration –> Preferences -> Windows Settings -> Shortcuts.

Here's a detailed guide:

Create Desktop Shortcuts on Domain Computers via GPO | Windows OS Hub

The GPO at the top of the list has the highest precedence and will be applied last, its settings will override any conflicting settings from GPOs lower in the list. See reference: Group Policy Processing Order (GPO Hierarchy) - Active Directory Pro

Note: Since the websites are not hosted by Microsoft, the links may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this information. 

I hope this information helps.

Best regards,

Karlie Weng

I already tried this but didn't work. I tried applying both ways, enabled the shortcut policy on Default Domain Policy and then enabled "Hide desktop icon" on GPO linked to OU. The Shortcut and Hide Icon policy enabled both on GPO linked to OU. But neither works.

Answer 3

Any update regarding this?

Answer 4

Hi,

How about using Assign User Logon Scripts | Microsoft Learn？ It seems more straightforward.

I'll run a test to see why the group policy method isn't working. Thanks for your patience.