Place the computer icon back on the desktop where it belongs

Apr 30, 2015 08:30 GMT  ·  By

Desktop icons are the basic way, and one of the fastest to access applications or locations of interest. Windows puts several default ones at your disposal, but with latest iterations, you need to spend a little time to make them visible.

If prior to Vista, desktop shortcuts got you out of sticky situations, now you can pin anything to your taskbar, or even launch a shortcut with custom hotkeys. A proper setup can be used to even hide all icons on the desktop and launch everything by pressing a few buttons.

The newer the version of Windows, the less displayed by default on your desktop. This has changed, evolved, or adapted in such a way that it can be a little confusing for new users even to launch File Explorer or the Computer. Here’s a quick guide to bring all default shortcuts on your desktop in Windows 10.

Enabling common desktop shortcuts

Step 1: Right-click an empty desktop space.

Step 2: Access the Personalization menu.

Step 3: Switch to the Themes category through from the left panel.

Step 4: Follow the link to Go to desktop icon settings.

Step 5: Select the icons of interest and hit Apply.

Optional Step: Uncheck the box that Allows themes to change desktop icons so you don’t end up repeating the steps above.

Asking Cortana

Step 1: Click the Search field in your taskbar (Win + S).

Step 2: Write down how to Show or hide common icons on the desktop.

Step 3: Decide and enable what icons you want on your desktop.

Optional Step: Right-click an empty desktop space. From the View entry, toggle to Show desktop icons. Note that this change applies to everything on your desktop.

Make common icons visible (4 Images)

Show desktop icons
Enable via settings menuAsking Cortana
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