Skip the hassle and hide all your desktop icons instead. Many programs you install will automatically add their own desktop icon, so you’ll be constantly deleting them. This setting removes icons, shortcuts, and … This option toggles desktop icons on and off. SOMEHOW I managed to hide desktop background. it provides a simple visual representation of your importantshortcuts, files, and folders, and you can drag those items around into an organization that makes sense for the way you use your computer. 3 Answers. Note that this assumes that the issue is that the icons are actually hidden. You can press the Windows key + D on your keyboard to do this quickly. Disclaimer: Most of the pages on the internet include affiliate links, including some on this site. If you like a clean desktop, Windows can be a little obnoxious. To hide or unhide all your desktop icons, right-click on your desktop, point to “View,” and click “Show Desktop Icons.” This option works on Windows 10, 8, 7, and even XP. Why Aren’t Viruses a Problem on Chrome OS? Alright, here's what I got going on: I want to be able to have a completely clear desktop, void of icons … If you follow these steps to unhide your icons and they are not visible, then you might need to open the Recycle Bin and restore the icons if they are in there. This will minimize all of your open windows so that you can view the desktop. Right-click in an empty space on the desktop to bring up the shortcut menu. That's all it takes! If you don’t see the Recycle Bin on your desktop, then you might need to add it. To hide or unhide all your desktop icons, right-click on your desktop, point to “View,” and click “Show Desktop Icons.” This option works on Windows 10, 8, 7, and even XP. Click on Show desktop icons to uncheck the option and hide all desktop icons. The above article may contain affiliate links, which help support How-To Geek. If your icons have been deleted, then this will not make them appear. 1] Hide Desktop Icons with Right-click Option. Windows also lets you hide its built-in desktop icons, like “This PC,” “Network,” and “Recycle Bin.” If those are still missing—or if you’d like to hide those icons but not the rest of your desktop icons—you’ll need to control which desktop icons appear in the Settings app or Control Panel. I didn't realize I would only be able to look at a bland mono color desktop , and I didn't realize it was this difficult to correct! Whichever version of Windows you’re using, the “Desktop Icon Settings” window that opens next looks the same. Whichever version of Windows you’re using, the “Desktop Icon Settings” window that opens next looks the same. Your desktop icons will disappear leaving a clean wallpaper. now the desktop and the folders are hidden and i cannot unhide it This thread is locked. All Rights Reserved. Join 350,000 subscribers and get a daily digest of news, geek trivia, and our feature articles. To unhide your desktop icons in Windows 7, follow these simple steps: Minimize all windows, and right-click on the desktop From the menu, choose " View " And from that sub-menu, click on " Show desktop icons " Fortunately the method for both hiding and unhiding desktop icons in Windows 7 is the same, so you can follow our guide below. Join 350,000 subscribers and get a daily digest of news, comics, trivia, reviews, and more. Anyone with a messy desktop can appreciate this feature. By submitting your email, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. This option is easy to find and use—if you know it’s there. Chris Hoffman is Editor in Chief of How-To Geek. That’s it! Many programs will also install shortcut icons on the desktop by … He's written about technology for nearly a decade and was a PCWorld columnist for two years. Conversely, if your desktop icons are too numerous and you find that they are cluttering up the desktop, then you might want a way to hide them. Skip the hassle and hide all your desktop icons instead. i was trying to hide all my folders in my desktop. Chris has written for The New York Times, been interviewed as a technology expert on TV stations like Miami's NBC 6, and had his work covered by news outlets like the BBC. RELATED: How To Organize Your Messy Windows Desktop (And Keep It That Way) In the "Control Panel\Appearance and Personalization\Personalization" (Image-2) Window, klick the Link (Text) "Change desktop icons", then simply set the check at the box "Recycle Bin" or remove the check from the "Recycle Bin" box if you want to hide the "Recycle Bin" Icon (Symbol) on the Windows-7 Desktop! This option toggles desktop icons on and off. How to Hide or Show System Icons and Notifications in Windows 7 and Windows 8 The notification area is a part of the taskbar that provides a temporary source for notifications and status. The desktop is one of the most frequently accessed locations for many Windows users, and people like to put shortcut icons and files there because it is easy to remember the location. and then click "Properties" (Image-1). Show or hide all desktop shortcut icons. To hide or unhide all your desktop icons, right-click on your desktop, point to “View,” and click “Show Desktop Icons.” This option works on Windows 10, 8, 7, and even XP. To hide or unhide all your desktop icons, right-click on your desktop, point to “View,” and click “Show Desktop Icons.” This option works on Windows 10, 8, 7, and even XP. Note that you can use this right-click shortcut option at anytime to toggle the display of your desktop icons. The steps in this article are going to show you how to either hide the icons on your Windows 7 desktop, or unhide the desktop icons if they are currently hidden. That’s it! Step 2: Right-click anywhere on the desktop, select View, then click the Show desktop icons option. You can learn how to add or remove the recycle bin from the Windows 7 desktop by changing a desktop setting. Press the Windows key+D on your keyboard to display the Windows desktop. But if your desktop icons have become hidden, either through an accidental mis-click, a prank by a family member or coworker, or any other event, then you might be wondering how to unhide those hidden desktop icons. This option is easy to find and use—if you know it’s there. Answer Save. How-To Geek is where you turn when you want experts to explain technology. If you’re using a PC with an empty desktop, this option will also let you re-enable all those hidden icons. Step 1: Right-click on your taskbar, then click the Show the desktop option. Right-click on the desktop and select View in the drop-down menu. Double-click on it to open its Properties box. If you’re using Windows 7 or 8, clicking “Personalize” opens the Personalization Control Panel screen. The desktop in Windows 7 is the place where many people save the files that they use the most. Windows 7 Forums is the largest help and support community, providing friendly help and advice for Microsoft Windows 7 Computers such as Dell, HP, Acer, Asus or a custom build. Since 2011, Chris has written over 2,000 articles that have been read more than 500 million times---and that's just here at How-To Geek. : How to unhide desktop icons instead Chrome OS View > Show desktop icons, and more shortcut on... You ’ re using a PC with an empty desktop, this option will also let you re-enable those... So that you can View the desktop, and unselect the option and all. 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