How to Fix Windows 10 Desktop Icons Missing [6 Methods]

How to Fix Windows 10 Desktop Icons Missing

Desktop icons are an inseparable part of the Windows experience. However, in Windows 10, under certain circumstances, they can disappear. In most cases, this occurs because of the user's actions. If you want to restore the missing desktop icons, refer to the guides we have included at the end of this article.

Many Windows 10 users think their desktop icons disappeared randomly, but that's not always true. In most cases, it happens due to user activity. For example, users may unknowingly activate Tablet mode on their desktop PC, removing desktop icons.

Windows 10 has a function that allows you to hide all desktop icons if you want to. If you right-click the desktop and go to View, you'll see a Show desktop icons option. If you uncheck it, then all of the desktop icons will disappear.

If you allow themes to change desktop icons, or set another theme, your Computer, Recycle Bin, Control Panel, User's Files, and Network icons may disappear. As a result, you will have to select the icons shown on the desktop again.

Also, if you haven't been updating Windows 10, you may experience a bug that makes the desktop icons disappear.

Video Guide on How to Recover Missing Desktop Icons on Windows 10

Table of Contents:

• Introduction
• Method 1. Enable the Show Desktop Icons Option
• Method 2. Use Auto Arrange Icons
• Method 3. Enable Desktop Icons via Windows Settings
• Method 4. Disable Tablet Mode
• Method 5. Rebuild Icon Cache Using Command Prompt
• Method 6. Perform a System File Check (SFC) Scan
• Video Guide on How to Recover Missing Desktop Icons on Windows 10

Method 1. Enable the Show Desktop Icons Option

If you don't see any icons on your desktop, they've likely been hidden due to unchecking the "Show desktop icons" option. Follow the steps below to make them visible again.

1. Right-click the desktop and navigate to the View options tab.

2. Mark the Show desktop icons for the icons to become visible again.

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Method 2. Use Auto Arrange Icons

Some users have reported that they've been able to recover their missing desktop icons by using the "Auto arrange icons" option.

1. Right-click the desktop and navigate to the View options tab.

2. Select the Auto arrange icons option.

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Method 3. Enable Desktop Icons via Windows Settings

If you noticed that your Computer, User Files, or Control Panel icons disappeared, that could have been the result of changing your Windows theme, as themes can change desktop icons if this option is enabled.

1. Right-click the Start Menu button and select Settings.

2. Select Personalization.

3. Then, select Themes from the pane on the left.

4. Click Desktop icon settings.

5. Tick the checkboxes next to the icons you want on the desktop.

6. Click Apply and click OK.

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Method 4. Disable Tablet Mode

Windows 10 has a built-in tablet mode. If you have a convertible or two-in-one device, Windows will ask if you want to enter tablet mode if, for example, you detach the keyboard from the device. It proves very handy when you have a touchscreen display but can also be enabled and used with a mouse on a traditional laptop or desktop PC.

Tablet mode removes the desktop entirely, replacing it with a tablet-like screen with application tiles. If you accidentally enabled tablet mode, here's how you can disable it.

1. When in tablet mode, click the Start button and click the Settings cog. Alternatively, right-click the Start button and select Settings.

2. Then, select System.

3. On the left pane, select Tablet.

4. Click Change additional tablet settings.

5. Toggle the Tablet mode slider off, and your GUI will revert to desktop mode with your desktop icons like before.

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Method 5. Rebuild Icon Cache Using Command Prompt

If none of the methods above recovered your desktop icons, run specific commands in the Command prompt to rebuild the icon cache.

1. Hold down Windows+R keys to open Run.

2. Then, type in CMD and hold down Ctrl+Shift+Enter keys to open the elevated Command Prompt.

3. Type in taskkill /IM explorer.exe /F and hit Enter to terminate the Windows Explorer process.

4. Then, type in cd /d %userprofile%\AppData\Local hit Enter.

5. Finally, type in del IconCache.db, and hit Enter.

6. Then, type in start explorer and hit Enter to restart the Windows Explorer process.

7. Close the Command Prompt.

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Method 6. Perform a System File Check (SFC) Scan

If nothing else works, you can perform a System File Checker (SFC) scan that will scan your computer for corrupted files and automatically fix issues associated with your desktop icons.

1. Hold down Windows+R keys to open Run.

2. Then, type in CMD and hold down Ctrl+Shift+Enter keys to open the elevated Command Prompt.

3. In the Command prompt, type in SFC /scannow and hit Enter to execute the command.

4. Wait for the scan to complete.

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