Hide icons desktop windows - Windowsa.top - ваш верный помощник с OS Windows

Applies ToWindows 11 Windows 10

Support for Windows 10 will end in October 2025

After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide free software updates from Windows Update, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10. Your PC will still work, but we recommend moving to Windows 11.

Learn more

Your desktop is the first thing you encounter when you sign in to Windows, and having it organized to your liking can significantly enhance your productivity and overall experience. This article describes how to customize the default desktop icons, add new shortcuts, adjust their size to suit your preferences, and show or hide all icons as needed.

Customize the default desktop icons

By default, Windows includes the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop. Essential icons that you can customize include:

This PC: Provides access to the computer’s drives and connected devices
Recycle Bin: Where deleted files are temporarily stored
Network: Allows you to view and connect to network resources
User’s Files: A shortcut to your personal folders

Additional shortcuts can be added to suit individual preferences and enhance productivity.

To customize the default desktop icons:

In the Settings app on your Windows device, select Personalization > Themes or use the following shortcut:

Themes
Select Desktop icon settings
Select the icons you would like to have on your desktop, then select OK

Note: The option Allow themes to change desktop icons allows or prevents themes from changing the icons used for common desktop shortcuts such as This PC, User’s Files, Network, and Recycle Bin. By default, themes are allowed to change these icons. However, if you have customized these icons to your preference, you might not want them to be altered whenever you change your theme.

Screenshot of the desktop icon settings in Windows.

Add shortcuts to your desktop

By placing frequently used applications, files, and folders directly on your desktop, you can access them quickly without navigating through multiple menus or folders. This can save time and reduce the effort needed to perform routine tasks.

To add shortcuts to your desktop, you can use one of these options:

Right-click on an empty area of the desktop
Select New > Shortcut
Follow the prompts to create a shortcut to a specific file, folder, or web page

Screenshot of right-click data-lazy-src=

New.» width=»756″>

Select Start and select All to display a list of all installed applications
Scroll through the list to find the app for which you want to create a shortcut
Drag and drop the app you want to create a shortcut for to the desktop

Navigate to the file or folder you want to add
Right-click on the file or folder and select Show more options > Send to > Desktop (create shortcut)

Open your web browser and navigate to the web page you want to add
Click and drag the padlock icon (next to the URL) to your desktop

Resize the desktop icons

Resizing desktop icons can be useful for improving accessibility and organization. For example, if you have a high-resolution monitor, the default icon size might appear too small, making it difficult to identify and click on the icons. By increasing the icon size, you can make them more visible and easier to interact with. Conversely, if you have many icons on your desktop and want to fit more on the screen without scrolling, reducing the icon size can help you manage your workspace more efficiently.

Right-click on an empty area of the desktop
Select View and then choose between Large icons, Medium icons, or Small icons to adjust their size.

Tip: You can also use the scroll wheel on your mouse to resize desktop icons. On the desktop, press and hold Ctrl while you scroll the wheel to make icons larger or smaller.

Screenshot of the contextual menu on the desktop that appears when you right-click.

Show or hide all desktop icons

Hiding desktop icons can be useful in various scenarios. For instance, if you’re giving a presentation or sharing your screen during a meeting, hiding desktop icons can help create a cleaner and more professional appearance. It can also be beneficial if you want to focus on a specific task without the distraction of numerous icons cluttering your desktop.

Right-click on an empty area of the desktop
Select View, and then uncheck Show desktop icons. This will temporarily hide all icons, and you can easily show them again by rechecking the same option.

Tip: If you hide your desktop icons and need to access the desktop, you can do so through File Explorer. Simply open File Explorer , and select Desktop in the navigation pane.

Need more help?

Want more options?

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.

Источник

AutoHideDesktopIcons
для Windows

AutoHideDesktopIcons — небольшая и простая в использовании утилита, позволяющая скрывать и отображать иконки на рабочем столе с помощью жестов мыши. Присутствует возможность автоматического скрытия/отображения панели задач и иконок посредством настраиваемого таймера. Программа не требует инсталляции.

Что нового в AutoHideDesktopIcons 6.33?

Различные улучшения и исправления
Обновлены переводы

ТОП-сегодня раздела «другое»

DesktopOK 11.81

DesktopOK — небольшая бесплатная и портативная (не требующая установки) программа,…

Pixel Repair 11.1.1.1008

Pixel Repair — небольшая утилита для обнаружения и исправления зависших пикселей на экране ЖК-монитора…

AquaSnap 1.24.1

AquaSnap — удобная утилита, которая позволяет более эффективно управлять окнами на рабочем…

Отзывы о программе AutoHideDesktopIcons

БУЧА про AutoHideDesktopIcons 5.77 [08-10-2022]

и да русский присутствует
4 | 6 | Ответить

БУЧА про AutoHideDesktopIcons 5.77 [08-10-2022]

софтина класс поиграться можно а у кого-то и кукуха может поехать
4 | 5 | Ответить

Чел про AutoHideDesktopIcons 3.83 [08-09-2019]

Классная программа) И исправьте в описании программы языки. Язык у меня русский.
7 | 6 | Ответить

Гоптимизатор про AutoHideDesktopIcons 1.53 [02-03-2012]

Работает нормально! Жаль что нельзя по клику скрывать значки
9 | 7 | Ответить

Источник

The appearance of your desktop in Windows It can make a difference when it comes to working comfortably or simply enjoying your equipment visually. Spending many hours in front of the computer often generates the need to maintain a clean and organized environment, and Hiding desktop icons has become a very common practice. among those seeking to avoid distractions or prepare recordings and presentations without revealing private information.

In the most recent versions such as Windows 11, Microsoft has introduced several methods to customize and manage the display of icons on the desktop. Either by using options from the context menu, keyboard shortcuts Whether you’re looking for clever tricks or digging deeper into system settings, hiding icons has never been easier or faster. Throughout this article, we’ll explain all the alternatives in detail and Tricks to get a clean desktop, as well as analyze why it can be useful and how it actually affects your files and programs.

Why hide desktop icons in Windows?

The truth is that There are numerous reasons to want your computer desktop to be icon-free.Maybe you’re about to record a video for YouTube, project your screen in class or during a presentation, or you just prefer to have a clear view to improve your concentration and productivity. A shortcut-free desktop minimizes visual clutter and facilitates a more comfortable work environment..

On the other hand, Hiding icons can help you maintain some privacy.This way, you can avoid displaying, for example, the names of sensitive documents or programs when sharing your screen. Additionally, some users prefer to fully enjoy the wallpaper without visual interference.

Quick ways to hide icons in Windows 11

Trucos para ocultar iconos en Windows 11

If you have Windows 11, The process to hide the icons is almost immediate and offers several alternatives. Below, we show you the most practical methods:

Using the desktop context menu: Just right-click on any empty space on your desktop, choose «View» from the pop-up menu, and then uncheck «Show desktop icons.» It’s that simple!

This system is compatible with both desktop and laptop computers. portable, and it doesn’t matter if you have a touch screen or just use a mouse and keyboardIn a matter of seconds, the icons disappear and your background is clear, leaving only the taskbar and other Windows fixtures.

To display the icons again, just repeat the exact same procedure: right-click, go to «View,» and select «Show desktop icons» again. Everything will be back to normal, without losing any access or files.

This method is ideal for those looking for a simple solution without technical complications.. Furthermore, it does not modify or delete any shortcuts or files, it simply hides them temporarily.

Secret keyboard shortcuts to hide all icons

One of the most interesting new features of Windows 11 is the possibility of hide all desktop icons using a key combinationMany users are unaware of these shortcuts, but they’re a real lifesaver if you’re in a hurry or want to clear your screen in seconds, especially if you don’t have a mouse or prefer to work only with the keyboard.

The trick is to take advantage of the keyboard-accessible context menu and navigate to the appropriate options.. Follow the step by step:

press the combination Shift + F10 (The Shift key is usually displayed as SHIFT; if your keyboard doesn’t have F10 visible, look for the alternative shortcut to display the context menu.)
Once the menu is open, press the key V (to select the “View” section).
Then press the key D (to toggle the visibility of desktop icons).

So, in less than 10 seconds, you can make all the icons on your desktop disappear with just three clicks.If you repeat it, they reappear in the same place they were. It’s a kind of digital magic trick, perfect for those looking for quick and effective shortcuts.

Important: This method currently only works on Windows 11. If you’re using Windows 10 or earlier, you’ll need to use the traditional mouse method.

How to hide the taskbar in Windows 11 step by step

What actually happens to icons when you hide them?

One of the most frequently asked questions is What happens to programs, shortcuts, and folders when you choose to hide desktop icons?Many people fear «erasing everything» by mistake, but nothing could be further from the truth: When you hide the icons, you simply stop seeing them, but they are still exactly where they were.. No files or shortcuts are deleted or moved.

In reality, what Windows does is temporarily disable the display of those icons.If you try to double-click the space where a program was, nothing will happen, as there is no visible or functional icon. However, you can run any application from the Start menu, Windows Search, or by directly accessing the folder where you saved the EXE file.

So, If you decide to show the icons on the desktop again, everything will appear just as you left it.: Shortcuts, folders, documents, and the recycle bin will be in one place. You don’t have to worry about losing information.

How to achieve a 100% clean desktop (including the taskbar)

Some users want to go a step further and They manage to eliminate any visual distractions, including icons, the taskbar and the recycle binWhile hiding the trash can is a bit more laborious and requires tweaking your settings, you can schedule the taskbar to hide automatically for an even cleaner experience.

To hide the taskbar automaticallyRight-click the taskbar, choose «Taskbar settings,» and enable the «Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode» option. This way, the taskbar will only appear when you move the cursor to the bottom edge of the screen.

This way you will have a completely clean desktop, showing only the wallpaper, without icons or taskbar.It’s perfect for recordings, presentations, or if you just like to enjoy a minimalist space while you work.

Are there any differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11 for hiding icons?

If you’re using Windows 10, the main option to hide icons remains the same: Right-click on the desktop, select «View» and uncheck «Show desktop icons»However, the keyboard shortcut that is available in Windows 11 doesn’t work in Windows 10, so you can only use this trick if you have an updated operating system.

In general terms, The icon hiding functionality is virtually identical in both versions except for the new keyboard shortcuts in Windows 11.. So, if you have an older version, stick to the classic context menu.

Advantages of keeping your desktop clean of icons

Beyond the aesthetic issue, Hiding icons on the Windows desktop has several benefits.:

Helps you focus and reduce eye strain, preventing too many elements from competing for your attention.
Facilitates organization: You can work with shortcuts only when you really need them, avoiding file accumulation.
Protect your privacy when you share your screen or make video calls, since no one will see the names of your programs or documents.
Allows you to fully appreciate your wallpaper, especially if you are one of those who changes their image frequently and likes to show off spectacular backgrounds.

Remember, you can always switch between a tidy desktop for work and a clear one for recordings or meetings, thanks to the easy way to hide and show icons.

Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that’s what I’ll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.

Источник

Windows 11 desktop icons
(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

On Windows 11, you can change the visibility of the desktop icons. You can hide them all or each one individually for a clean desktop without clutter. Or you can show as many as you want for quick access to your apps. You can even bring back the legacy system icons, including Computer, Network, Profile folder, and others.

In this how-to guide, I’ll show you the different ways to show or hide icons for apps on the desktop.

Recent updates

These instructions has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process in the operating system.

How to show or hide desktop icons on Windows 11

Windows 11 lets you show or hide all the icons on the desktop with a couple of clicks. If you don’t see any icons on the desktop, even though the «Desktop» folder has different contents, the system is configured to hide all the icons.

To show all the icons on Windows 11, use these steps:

Right-click on the desktop area.
Select the «View» submenu and choose the «Show desktop icons» option.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

(Optional) Change the size of the icons by selecting one of the options.

Large icons.
Medium icons.
Small icons.

(Optional) Select the «Auto arrange icons» option to arrange icons on the left side of the screen automatically.

Quick note: When using this option, you cannot arrange icons manually. If you need to move one or more icons to another region on the screen, you need to disable the option.

(Optional) Check the «Align icons to grid» option to align icons on the desktop.

Once you complete the steps, all the icons on the Desktop will be visible.

Hide desktop icons

To hide the desktop icons, use these steps:

Right-click on the desktop area.
Select the «View» submenu and choose the «Show desktop icons» option again to hide the icons.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

After you complete the steps, the desktop will no longer show any icons, but you can still access them from the «Desktop» folder using File Explorer.

All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards.

How to add or remove desktop icons on Windows 11

If you only want to show or hide the legacy system icons, you need to use the Settings app.

To add (or show) system icons to the desktop, use these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Personalization.
Click the Themes page on the right side.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

Click the «Desktop icon settings» option under the «Related settings» section.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

Check the icons to appear on the desktop:

Computer.
User’s Files.
Network.
Recycle Bin.
Control Panel.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

Click the Apply button.
Click the OK button.

Once you complete these steps, the icons will appear on the Windows 11 desktop.

Remove desktop icons

If you no longer want a specific system icon, you can select it and hide it using the «Delete» key. Or you can use these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Personalization.
Click the Themes page on the right side.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

Click the Desktop icon settings option under the «Related settings» section.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

Clear the icons you want to hide in the desktop.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

Click the Apply button.
Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, the system icons will hide from the desktop.

How to add or remove any app icon on Windows 11

If you want to show specific apps on the desktop, you can easily do this from the system «Applications» folder, whether it’s a legacy or modern app you downloaded from the Microsoft Store.

To add app icons to the Windows 11 desktop, use these steps:

Open Start.
Search for Run and click the top result to open the app.
Type the following command to open the system’s Applications folder and click the OK button: shell:AppsFolder

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

Select and drag the app to the desktop to create an icon on the desktop.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

(Optional) Select the icon, press the F2 key to rename it, and press Enter.

Once you complete the steps, the icons will appear on the desktop.

Remove app icons

To remove any icons from the Applications folder, select it, and click the «Delete» key.

How to create custom desktop icons on Windows 11

Alternatively, if you know the app’s location, you can create a shortcut to show it on the desktop.

To create a custom desktop icon, use these steps:

Right-click on the desktop area.
Select the «New» submenu and choose the Shortcut option.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

Click the Browse button.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

Navigate to the application folder location.

Quick tip: Legacy x86 apps will be located in C:\Program Files (x86), and x64 apps will be inside C:\Program Files.

Click the OK button.
Click the Next button.
Confirm a name for the shortcut.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

Click the Finish button.

After you complete the steps, the custom icon will show on the desktop.

Remove app icons

To remove any icons from the Applications folder, select it, and click the Delete key.

More resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:

Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.

Источник

Desktop icons are small pictures that represent folders, files, and applications. The newly installed Windows 10 will have at least one icon of Recycle Bin. Most desktop icons will be shortcuts to frequently used files and programs. Sometimes the user would want to hide these icons for a screenshot or hide them from the standard users. Depending on the situation, there are various ways to hide the icons on the desktop. In this article, we will be showing you those methods through which you can easily hide or disable the icons on the desktop.

Hiding all icons on the desktop

Hiding and Disabling All Items on the Desktop

There are several methods through which you can hide and disable all the items on the desktop. The easiest and default method will be through the context menu. This is best used when you want to temporarily hide the icons for a screenshot or recording screen. It requires two clicks to hide and unhide it back pretty quickly. The other methods are used when the administrator wants to keep the desktop clean. The users will also be unable to right-click on the desktop through these methods. Depending on what you want to achieve by hiding the icons on the desktop, choose the method below that is best for you.

Method 1: Using the Desktop’s Context Menu

This is the most common and the default method for hiding icons on the desktop. Just right-click anywhere on the desktop, choose View and then click on Show desktop icons. This will hide all the icons on the desktop.

Hiding icons on the desktop

You can also unhide the icons again by clicking on the same Show desktop icons option.

Method 2: Using the Local Group Policy Editor

The Local Group Policy Editor is a Windows feature through which users can manage and configure the Windows operating system. Administrators can use the Group Policy Editor to allow or prevent many different settings for Windows. The policy setting that hides or disable the desktop icons can be found in the user category of Group Policy Editor. By enabling this policy all the icons will disappear and users will be unable to right-click on the desktop.

However, the Local Group Policy Editor isn’t available in the Windows Home Editions. If you are using Home Edition Window, then skip this method and try the Registry Editor Method.

If you have the Local Group Policy Editor on your system, then follow the below guide:

Hold the Windows key and press R to open a Run dialog. Then, type “gpedit.msc” and press the Enter key to open the Local Group Policy Editor.
Note: Choose Yes for the UAC (User Account Control) prompt.
Opening Local Group Policy Editor
Navigate to the following setting in the User Configuration of the Local Group Policy Editor:
```
User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Desktop
```
Картинка с сайта: appuals.com

Navigating to the policy setting
Double-click on the setting named “Hide and disable all items on the desktop“. It will open in a new window, change the toggle from Not Configured to Enabled. Click on the Apply and Ok button to save the changes.

Картинка с сайта: appuals.com

Enabling the setting
Once the setting is enabled, make sure to restart the computer to see the changes. After the restart, all the icons will disappear and you will be unable to right-click on the desktop.
To unhide the desktop icons, just change the toggle back to Not Configured in the Local Group Policy Editor setting.

Method 3: Using the Registry Editor

The Registry Editor method works the same as the Local Group Policy Editor method. Any changes done through the Local Group Policy Editor will automatically update the same setting in the Registry Editor. Some of the values of the key will be missing and the users are required to create them manually to make it work. This method also hides all items and disable the right-click on the desktop. Follow the below steps to try it out:

Press the Windows + R keys together to open a Run dialog. Now type “regedit” in it and press the Enter key to open the Registry Editor. Choose the Yes option for UAC (User Account Control) prompt.
Opening the Registry Editor

In the Registry Editor left pane, navigate to the following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

In the Explorer key, right-click on the right pane and choose the New > DWORD (32-bit) Value option. Name the newly created value as “NoDesktop“.

Картинка с сайта: appuals.com

Creating a new value
Double-click on the value NoDesktop and change the value data to 1.
Note: Value data 1 is for enabling the setting and value data 0 is for disabling the setting.
Changing value data of value to enable it
Finally, restart the computer to see the changes through this setting. All icons on the desktop will disappear and the user will be unable to right-click anywhere on the desktop.
To disable this setting and unhide the shortcuts, simply change the value data to 0 or delete the NoDesktop value in the registry editor. It will disable the setting and everything will be back to normal.

Kevin Arrows

Kevin Arrows is a highly experienced and knowledgeable technology specialist with over a decade of industry experience. He holds a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification and has a deep passion for staying up-to-date on the latest tech developments. Kevin has written extensively on a wide range of tech-related topics, showcasing his expertise and knowledge in areas such as software development, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. His contributions to the tech field have been widely recognized and respected by his peers, and he is highly regarded for his ability to explain complex technical concepts in a clear and concise manner.

Источник

Customize the default desktop icons

Add shortcuts to your desktop

Resize the desktop icons

​​​​​​​Show or hide all desktop icons

Need more help?

Want more options?

AutoHideDesktopIcons для Windows

Отзывы о программе AutoHideDesktopIcons

Why hide desktop icons in Windows?

Quick ways to hide icons in Windows 11

Secret keyboard shortcuts to hide all icons

What actually happens to icons when you hide them?

How to achieve a 100% clean desktop (including the taskbar)

Are there any differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11 for hiding icons?

Advantages of keeping your desktop clean of icons

Recent updates

How to show or hide desktop icons on Windows 11

Hide desktop icons

How to add or remove desktop icons on Windows 11

Remove desktop icons

How to add or remove any app icon on Windows 11

Remove app icons

How to create custom desktop icons on Windows 11

Remove app icons

More resources

Hiding and Disabling All Items on the Desktop

Method 1: Using the Desktop’s Context Menu

Method 2: Using the Local Group Policy Editor

Method 3: Using the Registry Editor

Show or hide all desktop icons

AutoHideDesktopIcons
для Windows