Changing the Default Desktop Icons
Windows, by default, displays only the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop. You can, if you desire, instruct Windows to display a number of other icons as well. Follow these steps if you are using a Windows 10 system:
- Click the Start button (the Windows icon) and then select Settings icon (looks like a small gear). Windows displays the Windows Settings screen.
- Choose Personalize. Windows displays the Personalization window.
- Click the Themes link from the list on the left side of the window. Windows displays the Themes window.
- Scroll down to the Related Settings group and click on the Desktop Icon Settings link. Windows displays the Desktop Icon Settings dialog box. (See Figure 1.)
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Figure 1. The Desktop Icon Settings dialog box.
- At the top of the dialog box, make sure a check mark appears beside each icon you want displayed on your desktop.
- Click OK.
If you are using a Windows 7 or Windows 8 system, follow these steps:
- Right-click at some empty point on your desktop. Windows displays a Context menu.
- Choose Personalize from the Context menu. Windows displays the Personalize dialog box.
- Click the Change Desktop Icons link, near the upper-left of the dialog box. Windows displays the Desktop Icon Settings dialog box.
- At the top of the dialog box, make sure a check mark appears beside each icon you want displayed on your desktop.
- Click OK.
The icons you selected should now be visible on the screen, along with all the others you have.
Author Bio
Allen Wyatt
With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. Learn more about Allen...
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