Basic computer/Windows question

I've downloaded files from the Internet that wound up putting an icon on my desktop. Now I have a bunch of icons cluttering things up. How do I keep the files but get rid of the icons?

Your help, as always, is appreciated.

 

Hit the right mouse button and then hit delete.

Icons are gone. Files remain.

 

You sure? Looks like it sends the file to the recycle bin, too.

 

It would IF you saved the file on the desktop, as opposed to a level deeper...
Ask yourself how much crap you need and delete accordingly

 

Look at the icon on the desktop.

If there is a little white box with an arrow on it, it is a shortcut and may be deleted from the desktop without deleting any files.

If not, you need to go to my computer, make a new folder (maybe name it downloads or whatever works for you). Then move the files you want to keep into that folder.

Hope this helps.

 

When you right click the mouse, it will prompt you with, "Delete shortcut," option. Use it. If it doesn't come up, the actual file, not a shortcut is on your desktop.