How do I prevent new icons showing up on the desktop

[unplanned bacon]

As title says. I don't want new icons on the desktop when I install things

 

[Ryarwood99]

in the installer, before you hit finish there will be a check box (checked by default) that says "Create desktop icon" or something along those lines, uncheck that. You can also right click the icons on your desktop and click delete.

 

[USAFRet]

As title says. I don't want new icons on the desktop when I install things

When you install something, don't just accept the defaults. Select Custom or Advanced, and go through each screen, making the proper selections.
You should be doing this any way. Far too many current free applications also try to install some other junk.

 

[unplanned bacon]

As title says. I don't want new icons on the desktop when I install things

When you install something, don't just accept the defaults. Select Custom or Advanced, and go through each screen, making the proper selections.
You should be doing this any way. Far too many current free applications also try to install some other junk.

I thought I might be able to do like Nova Launcher on Android and prevent anything modifying the desktop. I use custom install route most times anyway to prevent things installing on C drive

 

[USAFRet]

As title says. I don't want new icons on the desktop when I install things

When you install something, don't just accept the defaults. Select Custom or Advanced, and go through each screen, making the proper selections.
You should be doing this any way. Far too many current free applications also try to install some other junk.

I thought I might be able to do like Nova Launcher on Android and prevent anything modifying the desktop. I use custom install route most times anyway to prevent things installing on C drive

Generally, what ends up on the desktop is only a shortcut.
Delete it.