File icons left on desktop

[franks]

On my MacBook Pro running Snow Leopard, every time I close a file (typically an Excel or .pdf file), an icon for the file is left on my desktop, which quickly has a cluttered look. Is there any way to avoid, or turn-off, this feature?

Thanks!

 

[GGJstudios]

Are you saving the files to your Desktop?

 

[franks]

Not intentionally! When I open an attachment to an email (I use Thunderbird), I either save it to Documents, or I read it and close it. But these icons accumulate on my desktop.

 

[GGJstudios]

Not intentionally! When I open an attachment to an email (I use Thunderbird), I either save it to Documents, or I read it and close it. But these icons accumulate on my desktop.

Look at your Thunderbird preferences. Apparently, when you open attachments, it's opening them on the Desktop. You should be able to change that setting.

 

[franks]

Thanks, GGJstudios, that solved my problem! Thanks for taking the time to help.

 

[nesuser2]

Just my two added cents here. I'm not sure if it has an option to use a tmp folder of any kind but I know the way firefox saves files now leaves me..and others!...with the tendency to have a sort of junk folder. If you leave it at the desktop, at least you know you aren't harboring tons of useless pdf's and pics...etc..that were in your emails. Sure you have to clean it up occasionally but it makes it harder to neglect so you can delete them as they come in!