Desktop icons are a convenient way to access frequently used files, folders, and applications on your Windows 10 computer. However, sometimes these icons may mysteriously disappear from your desktop, leaving you puzzled. If you find yourself in this situation, don’t worry! In this tutorial, we will show you how to bring back desktop icons on Windows 10 in just a few simple steps.
Step 1: Right-click on your desktop background. In the context menu that appears, hover your cursor over the "View" option.
Step 2: Another menu will expand to the side. Make sure the "Show desktop icons" option is checked. If it is already checked, uncheck and recheck it to refresh the desktop icons.
Step 3: If the above step doesn’t solve the issue, try pressing the "Alt" key on your keyboard to display the hidden menu bar in the File Explorer.
Step 4: Once the menu bar appears, click on "View" and then select "Show desktop icons."
Step 5: If the desktop icons still don’t show up, it’s possible that they might be hidden by another application or settings. To verify this, right-click on your desktop and select "Personalize" from the context menu.
Step 6: In the Personalization settings window, click on "Themes" in the left sidebar, and then click on "Desktop icon settings" under the "Related Settings" section.
Step 7: In the Desktop Icon Settings window, make sure the desired icons are checked. If they are not, check the box next to each icon you want to display on your desktop and click "Apply" and then "OK."
And there you have it! By following these simple steps, you should be able to bring back your desktop icons on Windows 10.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Easy and quick way to restore desktop icons. | 1. Icons may still not appear if the issue is caused by third-party software or malware. |
| 2. No additional software required. | 2. Icons may become hidden again if certain settings are changed. |
| 3. Allows for customization and easy access to frequently used items on the desktop. | 3. May require troubleshooting if the issue persists. |
Video Tutorial:How do I fix my desktop not displaying?
Why has my desktop disappeared?
There could be several reasons why your desktop has disappeared. Here are some possible causes and steps to troubleshoot the issue:
1. Display settings: Check if your display settings have been modified. Right-click on the desktop, select "Display settings" (or "Screen resolution" depending on your operating system), and make sure the correct display is selected and set to extend or duplicate the desktop.
2. Screen resolution: Verify if the screen resolution has changed. Access the display settings as mentioned above and ensure that the resolution is set to the appropriate value for your monitor.
3. Graphics card driver: Outdated or incompatible graphics card drivers can sometimes cause issues with the display. Visit the manufacturer’s website for your graphics card and download the latest drivers compatible with your operating system.
4. Malware or virus: It’s possible that your computer is infected with malware or a virus that is causing the disappearance of the desktop. Run a full system scan using reliable antivirus software, and remove any detected threats.
5. Windows Explorer issues: Restart the Windows Explorer process, which manages the desktop and taskbar. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager, locate "Windows Explorer" under the "Processes" tab, right-click on it, and select "Restart."
6. File system corruption: If the file system has become corrupted, it may affect the display of your desktop. Run the System File Checker (SFC) tool by opening the Command Prompt as an administrator and entering the command "sfc /scannow." This will scan your system files for any errors and repair them if necessary.
7. Third-party software conflicts: Certain applications or software can conflict with the desktop display. Try uninstalling recently installed programs and see if the desktop reappears.
8. Create a new user profile: Sometimes, creating a new user profile can resolve desktop-related issues. Open the Control Panel, go to "User Accounts" (or "User Profiles" depending on your operating system), and create a new user profile. Log in to the new profile and see if the desktop is visible.
9. Unhide desktop icons: In some cases, the desktop icons may be hidden. Right-click on the desktop, select "View," and make sure the "Show desktop icons" option is checked.
By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue causing your desktop to disappear.
How do I get my desktop icons back?
To get your desktop icons back, follow these steps:
1. Right-click on an empty space on your desktop. This will open a context menu.
2. Hover over the "View" option in the context menu. This will display a sub-menu.
3. In the sub-menu, ensure that the "Show desktop icons" option is checked. If it’s not checked, click on it to enable it.
4. Once you enable the "Show desktop icons" option, your icons should reappear on your desktop.
If the above steps don’t help, try the following:
1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type "control" (without quotes) and press Enter. This will open the Control Panel.
3. In the Control Panel, navigate to "Appearance and Personalization" and click on "Personalization".
4. In the left-hand pane of the Personalization window, click on "Change desktop icons".
5. In the Desktop Icon Settings dialog box, make sure that the checkboxes next to the icons you want to display are checked. You can select icons such as Computer, Recycle Bin, etc.
6. Click "OK" to save the changes and exit the dialog box.
7. Your desktop icons should now reappear on your desktop.
If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it’s possible that there might be an issue with your system or display settings. In such cases, you may need to seek further assistance from technical support or consult relevant forums for troubleshooting steps specific to your operating system.
Why did my desktop and taskbar disappeared?
If you find that your desktop and taskbar have disappeared, there could be several reasons behind this issue. Let’s explore some possible causes and steps you can take to troubleshoot the problem:
1. Display settings: Check if your display settings have been inadvertently changed. Right-click on the desktop and select "Display settings." Ensure that multiple displays are configured correctly if you use them and that your main display is set to extend or duplicate.
2. Windows Explorer issue: The Windows Explorer is responsible for managing your desktop and taskbar. Restart Windows Explorer by opening the Task Manager (right-click on the Taskbar and select "Task Manager"), locating "Windows Explorer" under the "Processes" or "Details" tab, then right-clicking on it, and selecting "Restart."
3. System update: Sometimes, a recent system update can cause temporary glitches. Restart your computer to see if the desktop and taskbar reappear after rebooting.
4. Malware or virus infection: Malware can sometimes modify settings or cause system issues. Perform a full scan using reputable antivirus software to detect and remove any potential threats.
5. Corrupted user profile: If the issue is specific to your user profile, creating a new user account can resolve it. Open the Settings app, go to "Accounts," and click on "Family & other users" or "Other users." Select "Add someone else to this PC" and follow the prompts to create a new account.
6. Graphics driver update: Outdated or incompatible graphics drivers can lead to display-related issues. Visit your graphics card manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers for your specific model. Install the drivers and restart your computer.
7. System Restore: If the problem persists and you recently made changes to your system settings, try performing a system restore to a point before the disappearance of the desktop and taskbar occurred. Type "System Restore" in the Start menu search bar, open the application, and follow the instructions to select an appropriate restore point.
Remember, these troubleshooting steps may vary depending on your specific operating system version and configuration. It’s always a good idea to create backups of your important files before attempting any changes to your system settings.
Why do shortcut icons disappeared from desktop?
Shortcut icons disappearing from the desktop can be frustrating, but it’s a common issue that can be caused by various factors. Here are some possible reasons and steps you can take to troubleshoot this problem:
1. Misplaced or Deleted: It’s possible that the shortcut icons were accidentally moved or deleted. Start by right-clicking on the desktop and choosing the "Refresh" option. This will often restore any missing shortcuts.
2. Hidden Icons: Sometimes, the icons may not be completely gone but hidden from view. Right-click on the desktop and select "View" or "Arrange Icons" option, depending on your operating system. Make sure the "Show Desktop Icons" option is checked.
3. Display Settings: Changes in display settings, such as resolution or scaling, can cause icons to appear off-screen. Right-click anywhere on the desktop, choose "Display settings" (or "Screen resolution" depending on your operating system), and check if the resolution and scaling are set correctly.
4. Automatic Windows Updates: Microsoft occasionally releases updates that can affect the desktop icons. Restart your computer to ensure that any updates are applied properly.
5. Malware or Viruses: Malicious software can cause various issues on your computer, including hiding desktop icons. Run a thorough scan using reliable antivirus software to detect and remove any potential threats.
6. File Corruption: If the shortcut icons continue to disappear after trying the above steps, it’s possible that some system files related to display settings or icon management have become corrupt. In such cases, you can try restoring the system to a previous restore point when the icons were still present.
7. Third-party Software: Some software or applications may conflict with the desktop icons, causing them to disappear. Try uninstalling any recently installed or suspicious software to see if it resolves the issue.
If none of these steps solve the problem, it may be worth seeking technical assistance from a professional or consulting relevant forums and communities online. Remember to regularly back up your important files to prevent potential data loss throughout troubleshooting processes.
How do I find an icon that has disappeared?
As a tech blogger, I can understand the frustration when an icon disappears from your device. Here are the steps you can take to find a disappeared icon on your device:
1. App Drawer or Home Screen: Start by checking your app drawer or home screen. Swipe through different pages or scroll vertically to look for the missing icon. Sometimes, icons can get misplaced or placed in folders unintentionally.
2. Search Bar: Most smartphones have a search bar feature on the home screen or app drawer. Tap on the search bar and type the name of the missing app. The search results will show if the app is still installed on your device. Tap on the app from the search results to open it.
3. App Settings: If you cannot find the icon using the above methods, navigate to your device settings and locate the "Apps" or "Applications" section. Tap on it to view a list of installed apps. Scroll through the list to find the missing app. Once you locate it, you can tap on it to open and use it.
4. App Store/Play Store: If the app is not appearing on your device, it’s possible that it may have been uninstalled accidentally. Open your device’s respective app store (App Store for iOS or Google Play Store for Android) and search for the exact name of the app. If the app is still available, you’ll see an "Install" or "Get" button. Tap on it to download and reinstall the app.
5. App Library (iOS): If you are using an iPhone with iOS 14 or later, you can check the App Library for the missing app. Swipe right on your home screen to access the App Library. The App Library categorizes all your apps automatically, and you might find the missing app in one of the suggested folders.
6. Reset Home Screen Layout (iOS): If you cannot locate the missing icon on your home screen, you can try resetting the home screen layout. Go to your device settings, tap on "General," then "Reset," and choose "Reset Home Screen Layout." This will reset the app icons to their default positions, which may help bring back the missing one.
Remember, these steps are based on the assumption that the missing app is still installed on your device. If you cannot find it using these methods, it’s possible that the app has been removed from your device or is no longer available. In such cases, you may need to consider reinstalling the app or finding an alternative.
How do I get my desktop icons back on Windows 10?
To get your desktop icons back on Windows 10, follow these steps:
1. Right-click on your desktop. A context menu will appear.
2. Hover your mouse over the "View" option. Another submenu will appear.
3. In the submenu, make sure the "Show desktop icons" option is checked. If it’s not checked, click on it to enable the display of desktop icons.
4. Once the "Show desktop icons" option is selected, the icons should appear on your desktop.
If your icons still don’t appear after following these steps, you can try the following additional troubleshooting steps:
5. Restart your computer. Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary glitches.
6. Update your graphics driver. Outdated or incompatible graphics drivers can sometimes cause issues with desktop icons. Visit the manufacturer’s website to download and install the latest driver.
7. Reset your desktop icon cache. The icon cache stores icons for faster access, and if it gets corrupted, it may cause missing icons. To reset it, follow these steps:
– Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialogue box.
– Type "cmd" and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.
– In the Command Prompt, type "cd /d %userprofile%\AppData\Local" and press Enter.
– Next, type "del IconCache.db /a" and press Enter.
– Finally, type "exit" and press Enter to close the Command Prompt.
– Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
By following these steps, you should be able to get your desktop icons back on Windows 10.