Definitely, wouldn't have it any other way. Desktop with the background I choose and icons arranged as I want them, any attempt from an OS to nudge, not to mention shove, me away from that is an absolute dealbreaker.
Now I'm not sure how much I use them to start programs over starting them from start menu or hotkeys (those that aren't games are also pinned to start menu and all have hotkeys, non-games with a letter, games with numpad keys, in current order of playing priority, and I tend to find it simpler to use the start menu for the non-games and the hotkey for games), but I use them sometimes, and either way it's a comfortable look to have them there, and unnecessary change is bad, even before getting to actual bad change (which software in general has been overwhelmingly guilty of for the past decade and a half or so).

No, never did. So far I was under the impression they're more like training wheels and surely no one would use them once they're a bit more comfortable with a computer. Clearly I was very wrong. This is fascinating.

I can't find the exact page anymore, but I'm pretty sure I got it from this website.

Edit: type "fantasy village" and you might find something similar.

I use Winamp (once in a blue moon) just for nostalgia's sake.

mostly have only a few that i use the most

for example
i have my "recycle bin" and my computer same go's for control panel
and some games icons

i seldom use search because i know where to find anything on my computer
so it's a useless function for me.

I do use them but not in the cluttered way anymore. For games, I use Galaxy so I don't have any game icons on my desktop, only my game clients and a folder with sub-categories separated by genre where I place the game icons. As for other icons for software and whatnot, I have them in folders separated by category as well. The result is a desktop that's very organized and clutter-free. Ever since I started doing that, my use of the desktop has actually gotten faster because I know exactly where to look for what I'm trying to start.

Yes I use them since I find them convenient and also look nice. Even mobile uses icons for apps,etc. It just makes sense for computers.

Thanks for the link Canbrey. Couldn't find your wallpaper, but there's loads of other lovely wallpapers on that site.

I think I can help you there:
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/ybxdJ5

thx for the link , nice pics

I've been running Wayland and Pipewire for a good while now. It's pretty nice, especially since Pipewire solves all those annoying problems that PulseAudio had.
I certainly don't. :p

Wait until they figure out virtual workspaces.

Since you're on Windows, I dunno if there's really a viable alternative since that's just a Windows problem.

Yeah, I think Launchy was one of the things I tried, but It does not really seem to do what I'm looking for, which is not just to quickstart programs but also to get a pretty good and nice looking overview of what I currently have installed (mostly regarding all the games; for the most used programs I just use taskbar icons).

Yes, and I'd wager that the vast majority of people do.

My desktop is a complete and utters mess with like 70% of the space occupied by random files, folders, shortcuts and whatnot. There are also several folders which contain previous desktop wipes when the desktop got too full. I just do a big wipe and cleanup once things get too bad. It is nearing that point, but not yet. The extra screen real estate you get from 2560x1440 is just too tasty to not use.

I think some people would get an aneurysm if they saw my screen. View the attachment at your own risk.

Brilliant! Thanks!

*changes her wallpaper*

I've spotted ten icons for Borderlands and none of them are even remotely grouped. I have no idea how you can work with this, but as a fan of chaos and anarchy myself I can't help but deeply admire this desktop. This is art and I love it.

Well, I either just remember the rough position of the things I am currently using on the regular, or when looking for something, just spamming the first letter of the name and hoping it eventually highlights. If that fails, I just view the desktop from File Explorer.