I have too many icons on my windows 98 desktop. Is it possible to hide some of them without deleting the programs or causing any operating problems with the programs?

Deleting the shortcut icons won't do any harm. But if you still want to access them, you can place them on the quick launch, the place where you can see the four icons next to the Start button (Just drag icon with mouse and drop it next to one of the four icons). You can resize the quick launch to suit you. Now you should see mini arrows on the right side of the four icons. Click on them, and you have made yourself a 'second' programs menu!!! You can 'drag and drop' to rearrange the icons there. After that, you may delete the desktop icons (Make sure you don't delete the icons that are not shortcut) Let me know if you still have problems ;)

perhaps Alan doesn't know which Icons ARE NOT shortcuts. That would help. If, for example, he deletes the IE icon he would lose the functionality of the Properties applet that opens with that but Does NOT open if you put it into the QuickLaunch bar(?) Yes, you can access it other ways. Just a thought..

You might also want to try making a folder on the desktop (right click on a blank area, go to "New" and "Folder") and putting some shortcuts in there.

You could right click them /go to properties And see if they ARE if fact shortcuts? OR you can right click the taskbar/go to toolbars and check off "desktop" now you can access them from your taskbar all in a nice, neat (but probably long) menu!