This has to be one of the most annoying “features” of windows:
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I don’t think there has ever been a time when it has been useful to me. It is one of those things you put up with, but never find how to disable it.
I got tired of it today, and I will share the answer with you. The setting for this is actually in the display properties.
First get into the control panel (Start->Settings-Control Panel)
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Click on Appearance and Themes
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Click on Display
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Click on the Desktop Tab, and see the button below “Customize Desktop” Click on it
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Now you can un-check the desktop cleanup wizard…and never be bothered by this insanity again!

Tips like this are what make the internet worthwhile!
Thank you
Thank you for the tip.. Will apply it to all my computers..
Just what I was looking for – thanks.
There’s a slightly quicker way of getting to the control. Right-click the desktop background and choose “Properties” from the menu that appears. Then click on the “Desktop” tab and you’ll be on the penultimate image above.