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Desktop Icons Not Showing in Windows: How to get Them Back

Selecting a context menu option might be enough to resolve the problem

5 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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The Windows 11 desktop is where many users stick shortcuts. However, some users can’t access their shortcuts when the desktop doesn’t show icons.

Have theicons on your desktop disappearedin Windows 11? If so, you don’t need to be a magician to get them back. You can fix desktop icons not showing in Windows 11 with the resolutions below.

Why are my icons not showing on my desktop Windows 11?

Before fixing desktop icons not showing, it’s worth considering some of the causes for them disappearing in the first place. These are the causes for desktop icons not showing in Windows 11:

Now let’s get your Windows 11 desktop icons back. First, go through the following resolutions in the order specified to restore desktop icons in Windows 11.

How can I get desktop icons back in Windows 11?

2. Change a Hide and disable all items on the desktop policy setting

3. Rebuild the icon cache

4. Restart File Explorer

5. Scan system files in Windows 11

6. Delete NoDesktop in the registry

7. Reset Windows 11

If desktop icons are still not showing after applying all the aforementioned potential solutions, a more drastic fix might be needed. First, consider resetting Windows 11 to resolve the issue.

Resetting Windows 11 will likely resolve registry or system file issues for missing icons. However, apps that weren’t pre-installed on your PC will not be preserved after a reset.

WR’s guide tofactory resetting Windows 11includes instructions for how to do that with the built-in tool and other methods. Make sure you select the Keep my files option.

It’s essential to have icons on the desktop for quicker software access. The fixes above are most likely to work for restoring missing desktop icons.

Yet, there could still be other ways to fix desktopicons not showing in Windows 11. Users who’ve restored missing Windows 11 desktop icons with other methods are most welcome to share alternative fixes in the comments below.

Desktop Icons Not Showing in Windows: How to get Them Back#

Why are my icons not showing on my desktop Windows 11?#

How can I get desktop icons back in Windows 11?#

1. Select the Show desktop icons context menu option#

2. Change a Hide and disable all items on the desktop policy setting#

3. Rebuild the icon cache#

4. Restart File Explorer#

5. Scan system files in Windows 11#

6. Delete NoDesktop in the registry#

7. Reset Windows 11#