Desktop Icons Have Disappeared

I had trouble fixing my missing desktop icons, I made sure to check that "Show desktop icons" where ticked when right-clicking desktop -> view. I tried enabling and disabling tablet mode but no difference.

What worked for me was the icon spacing, left-click on your desktop, hold down CTRL and scroll with your mouse and see if they show up, they did for me.

This has probably been solved by now, but I was able to fix this error by just restarting Windows explorer. Right click empty area of task bar, select "task manager", go to "details" tab, find "explorer.exe", force end all of them, select file > run new task, and in new box that pops up type "explorer.exe".

I had the same thing happen. I spent a long time trying to rectify the problem. I fixed it by going to tablet mode and back to laptop!

craigm said:

For clarification, I would like to add that I did see the tutorial. In detail here is what I did:
click the Window10 icon lower left orner. Selected desktop. On ths blank desktop (if that is where I am) per the tutorial, I right click on a blank area. NOTHING HAPPENS. I do not get any additional options. I am not at the desktop as I assume or there is something else I am missing.

Edit: The registry entry per the tutorial HideIcons Dword is set to 0 (show them).

Edit #2- disregard my postngs. I have concluded that something is overlaying on top of the desktop. I am just reinstalling the OS.

The problem seems to be that there are multiple desktops available. There is the default "This PC" desktop which is blank (no Icons) and then there is the users desktop. What appears to have happened is that following the update, Windows is defaulting to the "This PC" desktop instead of the users desktop.

What I did to this resolved was
Right click on Windows Icon; start typing Desktop and then select "Show or hide common icons on Desktop"
you will see a popup screen called "Desktop Icon Settings". This screen has two sections, on the top you select what icons you want to display, but the lower section sets what desktop your system defaults to.

Click on your user name and select OK
That solved the problem for me.
I hope this is helpful...

TheSmokey76 said:

Have you tried this? Right click anywhere on the desktop

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/6...dows-10-a.html

Attachment 33730

Okay I did all this and did not get the icons to show UNTIL I clicked on "Auto Arrange Icons"... BOOM they all showed up

I have had this problem for a while. I have multiple monitors. I found a simple program called DesktopOk. It has saved me multiple times. I was made aware of it from another forum. Just Google it.

Gpatton913 said:

Right click on Windows Icon; start typing Desktop and then select "Show or hide common icons on Desktop"
you will see a popup screen called "Desktop Icon Settings". This screen has two sections, on the top you select what icons you want to display, but the lower section sets what desktop your system defaults to. Click on your user name and select OK

No. The lower section has absolutely nothing to do with "what desktop your system defaults to". There are no multiple desktops in your system and there's no desktop that the system "defaults to". The bottom section is just a preview of what your standard icons look like in the current theme. Clicking on them achieves absolutely nothing.

Gpatton913 said:

That solved the problem for me.

No. Something else solved your problem for you.

craigm said:

Well, I did something, but cannot find out what it was I dis or how to rectify it. This AM when starting Windows 10 Home, I had no icons on the desktop. Using the file explorer>desktop, they are there, so i did not delete them. Somehow I have hidden them from view. The normal app that controls the default icons does not have a hide/unhide, so I am at a loss. Suggestions as to where to look would be appreciated.

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Seen this post several times no one has the correct fix that is see... Well until now...Go to tablet mode setting and turn it OFF (unless your using a tablet) Apparently there is a windows key combination that turns it on, I have not looked for it but if you press window key and accidentally find the right combo you loose the desktop...

This is an OLD post but I don't see the correct FIX apparently? Many people have this problem no -one has the correct fix! Here it is with the explanation... Most likely the people with no fix had this problem, you accidentally pressed the windows and combo key another one the that Turns ON the TABLET Mode screen. Type in your search for Tablet mode settings link in and turn the tablet mode OFF... FIXED....

Just Rightclick on the desktop > View > change to large or small and then back to medium. :)