How to Add or Remove Default Desktop Icons in Windows 11
Desktop icon settings in Windows 11 let you show or hide built-in shortcuts like This PC, Recycle Bin , Control Panel , and Network with just a few clicks. These main system shortcuts give you quick access to core computer tools right from your main screen.
Windows 11 only shows the Recycle Bin on a fresh setup, but you can turn on any of the five standard system icons whenever you want. Cleaning up extra shortcuts helps keep your screen tidy and makes finding your files much faster.
Go to Settings Personalization Themes Desktop icon settings. Check boxes to add icons like This PC and Recycle Bin , or uncheck them to remove them from your desktop. Click OK to apply changes.
Open Desktop Icon Settings
Getting to the right menu takes a couple of clicks. Press the Win+I to open Settings , type ‘Themes’ into the search box, and select ‘Themes & related settings’.
Alternatively, find and click on Personalization in the main Settings window, then select Themes.
Choose Your Icons
Click ‘Desktop icon settings’ from the Themes menu to open a window listing common icons like ‘This PC’, ‘User’s Files’, ‘Network’, and ‘Recycle Bin ’. Check the boxes next to the icons you want to display on your desktop, and clear any checkmarks for items you want to hide.
The Windows settings window shows a list of common desktop icons, including "This PC," "User's Files," "Network," and "Recycle Bin." Checkboxes next to each icon let you pick which ones appear on the desktop.
Check the box next to any item to add it to your desktop, or clear the checkmark to remove it.
Confirm Your Choices
Click the OK button at the bottom of the Desktop icon settings window once selections are complete.
The desktop updates immediately to reflect the chosen configuration.
A Note About Themes
Switching your desktop theme later might trick Windows into reverting your main desktop icons to match new defaults. Prevent this behavior by unchecking the theme icon setting, keeping your personalized setup intact.
Switching desktop themes can trigger Windows to overwrite custom icon selections with default theme settings.
Prevent this behavior by unchecking the theme icon setting, keeping your personalized setup intact.
Summary
Tailoring the Windows 11 desktop with preferred icons creates a more efficient and personalized workspace.
How do I add or remove desktop icons in 🪟 Windows 11?
To add or remove default desktop icons in Windows 11, go to Settings > Personalization > Themes > Desktop icon settings. From there, you can check or uncheck boxes next to icons like This PC, Recycle Bin, Network, and User's Files to show or hide them on your desktop.
How do I remove icons from my desktop without deleting them?
You can remove icons from your Windows 11 desktop without deleting the associated files or programs by adjusting desktop icon settings. Navigate to Settings > Personalization > Themes > Desktop icon settings and uncheck the icons you wish to hide. They will be removed from view but remain accessible.
How to get rid of all icons on desktop?
To remove all icons from your Windows 11 desktop, go to Settings > Personalization > Themes > Desktop icon settings. Uncheck all the available default icons (This PC, Recycle Bin, Network, User's Files). This will clear your desktop of all system icons, providing a clean view.
How to reset desktop icons to default in 🪟 Windows 11?
To reset desktop icons to their default in Windows 11, open Settings > Personalization > Themes > Desktop icon settings. Ensure that the default icons like This PC, Recycle Bin, Network, and User's Files are checked. Click Apply and OK to restore them to their original state.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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