Indeed. I'm using shortcuts only from the taskbar (look at the right of Start button) and from the "tous les programmes" menu.
The Trash can shortcun is hidden from the desktop but I put a shortcut from the Start menu
Since I'm in 1920*1200 pxl I can't use my preceding and unique background, this one :
And when I got new video games, I used this background (with shortcuts rofl) during few weeks :
Sorry I've not the capture of these periods, so you can see new games like Burnout Paradise or Saints Row 2
But currently I'm using the first pic that I posted (Germany landscape BTW).
PS : if you want to start/close Windows fast, check the Windows Task Manager, mine don't exceed 20 processus ^^ Only three softwares are automatically started with the OS