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What if my desktop icons are missing Windows 10?
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Aug 11, 2022 · My desktop icons and my recycle bin are no longer on my desktop. I just saved a word document and it does not save to my desktop when I save it to there. How do I get my icons and recycle bin back to my desktop?
- How to Add Missing System Icons to Desktop on Windows 10
- How to Restore All Of Your Missing Desktop Icons
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Windows includes several desktop icons for system elements like the Recycle Bin, This PC (formerly Computer/My Computer), Control Panel, Network, and your user folder. Depending on your setup, some of these icons may have been included by default on your Windows 7 or 8 desktop. Most Windows 10 desktops only include the Recycle Bin icon. Whatever your current configuration, it's simple enough to show or hide any of these icons on your system.
Right-click any empty space on your desktop and choose the "Personalize" option.
On Windows 10, switch to the "Themes" tab on the left-hand side. Scroll down and click the "Desktop icon settings" link.
Whichever version of Windows you're using, the "Desktop Icon Settings" window that opens next looks the same. Select the check boxes for the icons you want to appear on your desktop, and then click the "OK" and "Apply."
If all of your desktop icons are missing, they've probably been hidden accidentally. Right-click empty space on your desktop, go to "View," then make sure "Show Desktop Icons" is enabled.
If that is enabled and you still don't have any icons, your icons have been deleted. You'll need to restore them from the Recycle Bin. There is a decent chance they've been deleted automatically if they were in the Recycle Bin, however. If that has happened, you'll need to create new desktop shortcuts, but don't worry --- it isn't difficult.
Using Windows 11 instead? You can restore missing desktop icons on Windows 11 PCs, too.
Related: How to Restore Missing Desktop Icons on Windows 11
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Sep 11, 2024 · Update Windows 10. If there has been a recent Windows 10 update, it could be that your missing desktop icons are related to a vulnerability patch contained in that update. A final fix to try to resolve the issue is to make sure you update your Windows 10 system to the latest release.
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Mar 18, 2020 · Since there’s no apparent reason why your Windows 10 desktop icons are missing, you can try enabling and disabling the options related to your user interface and it can hopefully fix the issue for you. One of the things you can do is toggle the full-screen option for your Windows Start Menu.
Jun 13, 2019 · If you run through Windows Update (or in my case an Upgrade to Windows 10 1903) and find all of your desktop icons are missing this is the fix for you:. Verify your desktop icons still exist by checking in C:\USERS\<YourName>\DESKTOP. If your files and shortcuts are safe continue to the next step.
Sep 10, 2024 · Restoring desktop icons in Windows 10 is a straightforward process that anyone can follow. You need to right-click on the desktop, navigate to the "View" menu, and ensure that "Show desktop icons" is checked. If your system icons are missing, you can restore them through the "Settings" menu.
Oct 17, 2016 · After the last windows 10 update I have lost all of the icons on desktop (recycle bin, etc). I've followed guidance about how to use 'settings/personalisation/themes/desktop icons' but to no avail. I don't use tiles and I'd like my desktop back the way it was.