Changing the Default Desktop Icons

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated May 6, 2019)

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:

  1. Click the Start button (the Windows icon) and then select Settings icon (looks like a small gear). Windows displays the Windows Settings screen.
  2. Choose Personalize. Windows displays the Personalization window.
  3. Click the Themes link from the list on the left side of the window. Windows displays the Themes window.
  4. 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.)

    5. Figure 1. The Desktop Icon Settings dialog box.

  5. At the top of the dialog box, make sure a check mark appears beside each icon you want displayed on your desktop.
  6. Click OK.

If you are using a Windows 7 or Windows 8 system, follow these steps:

  1. Right-click at some empty point on your desktop. Windows displays a Context menu.
  2. Choose Personalize from the Context menu. Windows displays the Personalize dialog box.
  3. Click the Change Desktop Icons link, near the upper-left of the dialog box. Windows displays the Desktop Icon Settings dialog box.
  4. At the top of the dialog box, make sure a check mark appears beside each icon you want displayed on your desktop.
  5. Click OK.

The icons you selected should now be visible on the screen, along with all the others you have.

 This tip (10958) applies to Windows 7, 8, and 10.

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. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Inserting a Copyright Mark

One of the most common symbols that can be added to a document is the copyright mark. This tip examines several ways you ...

Discover More

Using Multiple Test Conditions

When creating conditional formats, you are not limited to only one condition. You can create up to three conditions, all ...

Discover More

Digital Signatures for Macros

The security features built into Excel allow you to digitally sign your macros so that users can rest assured that they ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Minimizing All Open Windows in One Step

There may be times when you need to minimize all of your open windows in one quick step. Windows provides a few methods ...

Discover More

Clearing Your Jump Lists

Ever since their introduction in Windows 7, I've found Jump lists to be great timesavers. Some people have privacy ...

Discover More

Should I Leave My Computer On All the Time?

Do you turn your computer on and off all the time? Do you really know if this is good for your computer or not?

Discover More
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 six more than 9?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)

Newest Tips
Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2026 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.