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

Notice Your Notifications

Windows 10, by default, displays alerts or notifications for five seconds. If that's not enough time, you can increase ...

Discover More

Quickly Format a USB Drive with File Explorer

USB flash drives are a very helpful addition to store and transfer data. Discover how to format a USB drive using File ...

Discover More

Windows 11 Processor Requirements

Windows 11 has different processor requirements than Windows 10. How do you know if your processor will work with Windows 11?

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Search a Website Using the Run Dialog Box

The Run dialog box allows you to quickly run a search on a website that offers a search function. Performing web searches ...

Discover More

Two Quick Ways to Close a Frozen App

When an app freezes, it can be frustrating. Rather than restarting your computer try one of these methods to close a ...

Discover More

Swipe Your Text

Whether you're using a tablet PC or a desktop, there is a new way to enter text. Using the swipe keyboard found in ...

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}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) 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 five minus 4?

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 SITES
 

Copyright © 2022 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.