New
#51
This works as well. Also an issue from switching back and forth from tablet mode on a laptop with that type of capability.
Right click the desktop and check mark "auto arrange icons" instead of grid.
I assume this also works from connecting to a monitor and moving icons to the other screen.
I know this thread is one year old, but in case it helps someone - I went to a local file directory and changed the file properties of THAT folder, subfolder and files in it to "Unhide". It proceeded to unhide so many Gigabytes worth of files that I freaked out and cancelled the operation.
Subsequently my cluttered desktop was cleared of all files, even the Recycle Bin icon! Right-clicking on the desktop didn't help either. Finally what worked was going into File Explorer (where the files didn't show up either), right-clicking Desktop and Properties and checking the "Hide" button (which has no reason - i think- to have hidden itself since what I had checked earlier was a folder on the local Temp C: drive. Then again, I'm no computer expert and I may have inadvertently done something silly. All I can say is that i'm glad my files are back!!
This procedure worked perfectly to restore my desktop and icons back into view.
I clicked the windows Start icon (lower left) typed TABLET MODE. Right Clicked on the popup and UNselected, the more touch friendly switch. Thank you. It was about the second procedure I tried so you post saved me a lot of time that others have spent looking for the solution.
Had the same problem & finally figured out "Tablet Mode" had been turned on. I turned this off & voila there was my desktop & all my icons.
If you look at your Action Centre settings and uncheck Tablet Mode the original Desktop with its icons returns. When you let your cursor slip bottom right corner a click brings up the Action Centre and a lazy click to close it may just clip the Tablet Mode box. I've made this error a couple of times.
Eureka! This is the solution that just worked instantly for me! Thank you, Meatball Paul! I have been plagued by this recurring problem for six months since switching to Windows 10. I went through so many other "solutions" to no avail until this oh-so-simple fix. Just Great. Thanks again.