I have set up a PC that is used to play media from a file server (jujst through shares, no streaming). As I connect to each of the shares an icon is placed on the desktop.

I cant delete the icon, only unmount the share.

How can I remove the icon from the desktop and maintain the mounted state of the share?

Also, I'd like to place the network icon on the desktop on the panel, but I can't get it there. If I drag it to the panel it just flies back to where it came from. Either with panel edit mode off or on.

I'm trying to get a completely empty desktop. I have the panel set to auto-hide, so the screen is completely black... no burn-in because of icons displayed on desktop for long periods.

thanks
Tanya

If you want a completely clean desktop, the easiest way is to install and use a window manager, such as Fluxbox or Blackbox, which is not desktop-icon-centric. Indeed, the clean desktop is one of the things that attracted me to Fluxbox in the first place, in addition to the minimal overhead.

As an aside, you don't have to worry about burn-in with modern monitors/screens. The technology has left burn-in behind.

Go to System Settings > Desktop > Untick all boxes to remove all icons from showing on the Desktop.

To add the Network icon to your panel, click on Menu and then in the search box, type "Network" and then right-click "Network" and choose "Add to panel".

Thanks for the responses.
Works great!