Google chrome or chromium doesn't do as much as firefox - but they say it is quicker. I can't find any email preferences in the options so I guess it takes the default email client specified in your operating system. In your case that'll probably be outlook or something like that...
There is an extension for chromium called google mail checker (or something like that) that you might want to look at - I don't know how secure it is though... As you're running Windows make sure your anti virus junk is working properly and correctly...
As for the windows 7 icon problem I found this for you:-
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_xp-desktop/how-can-i-lock-desktop-icons/75c03648-1478-4c7b-a8f2-392616b30728
Try the first answer - don't do the 3rd one...