Quickly Hiding Desktop Icons

by Eric Wyatt
(last updated April 1, 2019)

1

It's not uncommon for the desktops on our computers to become cluttered and messy with various files, folders, and shortcuts. When you need to show someone your desktop, such as when you are capturing screenshots, or giving a presentation, this can be a potential embarrassment or distracting eyesore. In the past you might have quickly copied all the files into a single folder or searched for a third-party solution. While you can arrange your desktop icons which helps make your desktop look more organized, this still keeps all of the icons on your desktop. (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. Cluttered Windows 10 desktop.

Windows 10 offers a quick and simple shortcut to hide all of the icons on your desktop. To hide the icons on your desktop, simply right click on any unused area of the desktop, choose View from the resulting Context menu, and then choose Show Desktop Icons. (See Figure 2.)

Figure 2. Hiding desktop icons.

Windows immediately hides all of the icons on the desktop. Once you are done and ready to have the icons back on your desktop, repeat the process and your icons will come back. (The Show Desktop Icons option is a toggle, meaning you can select it or deselect it.)

With this simple step you never need to be worried about other people seeing the icons on your desktop. With this simple shortcut you'll be able to quickly go back and forth any time you need to.

 This tip (6264) applies to Windows 10.

Author Bio

Eric Wyatt

Eric Wyatt is a swell guy (or so his friends tell him). He is a formally trained designer and branding expert, bringing a wide range of skills to his Tips.Net articles. ...

MORE FROM ERIC

Get a Sense of Your Storage

Over time our computers can become bogged down by items in the Recycle Bin or by temporary files. To help free up space ...

Discover More

Weather Maps

Your local meteorologist has access to some handy weather maps. With Windows 10 and the Weather app, you have access to ...

Discover More

More Powerful Notes

Sticky Notes in Windows 10 is a helpful app. When you go beyond just a note, it's even more helpful.

Discover More
More WindowsTips

File Explorer's Overlooked Selection Tools

File Explorer in Windows 10 is the main way to navigate files on your computer. Discover the overlooked selection tools ...

Discover More

Quick Ways to Get Back to Your Desktop

There may be times when you need to get back to your desktop by eliminating the "clutter" of all your open windows. ...

Discover More

Win+E Shortcut Result

Configuring your computer is the best way to get your computer to behave the way you want. Here's how you can change what ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WindowsTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is seven more than 6?

2019-04-01 13:27:56

Allan

"This tip (6264) applies to Windows 10." ??? This tip also works in Windows 7--at least in mine.

Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WindowsTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.

Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR AUTHORS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2021 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.