How to Manage OneDrive Icon on Windows 11 Desktop

This guide explains how to show or hide the folders-in-windows-11/" class="sal-link" rel="noopener" target="_blank" data-sal-id="13115">OneDrive icon on your Windows 11 desktop.

The OneDrive app lets you sync files and folders on your computer with Microsoft Cloud. It allows you to access them anywhere on your mobile devices and other computers using the service.

You can automatically back up your essential folders (your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders) on your device with the OneDrive app.

Why do this? If you use cloud storage often, having a shortcut on your desktop makes it much faster to reach your files. You won’t have to open File Explorer every time you need a document.

What happens when done? You will either see a OneDrive icon appear on your desktop for quick access or see it disappear if you prefer a cleaner look.

How to show or hide the OneDrive icon

To change your desktop icons, you must use the Registry Editor. Note: This process requires admin privileges.

1. Open the Windows Registry.
2. Navigate to this specific folder path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel
3. If you do not see the NewStartPanel folder, right-click on HideDesktopIcons and create a new subkey named NewStartPanel.

4. Right-click in the empty space on the right side of the window.
5. Select New then DWORD (32-bit) Value.
6. Name the new item: {018D5C66-4533-4307-9B53-224DE2ED1FE6}
7. Double-click this new item.
8. Set the Base to Decimal.
9. In the Value data box, type 0 to show the icon, or type 1 to hide the icon.

10. Save your changes and restart your computer to see the update.

Summary

By editing the registry, you can easily control whether the OneDrive icon appears on your desktop. Simply navigate to the NewStartPanel key, create the specified DWORD value, and toggle the value between 0 and 1 to show or hide the shortcut. Always restart your computer to apply these changes.