How to put icons on desktop Windows 11

Microsoft has started rolling out Windows 11, and the biggest change the new OS includes is a refreshed look. It also means that classic Windows icons will also see the new logo to match the overall aesthetics. As it is said to move ahead with time, some users will still find it difficult to work with these changes, especially during work from home amid the pandemic. However, Microsoft will still offer the option to customise desktop app icons as per users’ preferences. Here are the steps you need to follow in order to restore default desktop icons on Windows 11:

The majority of the settings apps in Windows 11 are centralised. The System Settings pane allows you to handle everything from system adjustments to establishing new users and upgrading Windows. Users may access System Settings by pressing Windows key + i or by clicking on Start > Settings. Or, you may utilise the taskbar’s search box to look for Settings. Then choose to open it. Click Personalisation in Windows Settings, then pick Themes in the right pane of your screen.

Under Related settings in the Themes settings pane, an option for Desktop icon settings will appear. Select that option.
The Desktop Icons will be shown at the top of the Desktop Icon Settings window. Select the checkbox next to the particular icon you wish to see, such as “This PC," “Recycle Bin," “Network," or others.
After you’ve chosen the icon you want, click “Ok."
The icons chosen above should be displayed on the desktop. These are handy icons that should help users rapidly access important settings.

Similarly, users can easily change the default icons for folders. To modify the icon for a folder, right-click on it and choose ‘Properties’ from the menu that appears. You may also pick the folder and press ALT + ENTER to open its properties. Navigate to the ‘Customise’ tab in the folder settings, and then click on ‘Change Icon’ under ‘Folder Icons.’

You will now see a selection of icon options for the folder. Scroll to the right to see more choices in the list. Once you’ve decided on an option, click the ‘OK’ button at the bottom. Finally, in the Properties box, click ‘OK’ to save the modification and dismiss the window.

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first published: October 06, 2021, 16:47 IST

By default, Windows 11 doesn’t display any special icons (such as “This PC” or “Recycle Bin”) on your desktop. If you’d like a classic Windows look, you can enable special desktop icons easily. Here’s how to do it.

First, right-click an empty spot on the desktop and select “Personalize” in the menu that appears.

The Windows Settings app will open to the “Personalization” page. In the list of Personalization categories, select “Themes.”

In Themes, scroll down and click “Desktop Icon Settings.”

A special window titled “Desktop Icon Settings” will appear. Using the “Desktop Icons” section near the top of the window, place check marks beside the special icons you’d like to appear on the desktop. For example, if you’d like to see the Recycle Bin on your desktop, check “Recycle Bin.” When you’re done, click “OK.”

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After clicking “OK,” the window will close. You can close Settings as well. Take a look at your desktop, and you’ll see the special icons that you checked in the “Desktop Icon Settings” window.

Tip: You can make your desktop icons bigger or smaller by holding down the Ctrl key on your keyboard and scrolling your mouse wheel up or down.

If you change your mind and want to hide certain special desktop icons, just revisit Settings > Personalization > Themes > Desktop Icon Settings and uncheck the icons you no longer want to see.

RELATED: How to Hide or Unhide All Desktop Icons on Windows

Want to hide all your desktop icons instead? Just right-click your desktop, point to “View,” and toggle the “Show Desktop Icons” option.

When you’re done, you might want to continue customizing your desktop by changing your desktop wallpaper as well. Have fun!

RELATED: How to Change the Desktop Background on Windows 11

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Your desktop icons may be hidden. To view them, right-click the desktop, select View, and then select Show desktop icons. To add icons to your desktop such as This PC, Recycle Bin and more:

Select Start , open Settings , then under Personalization , select Themes .
Under Themes, scroll down and select Desktop icon settings.
Choose the icons you would like to have on your desktop, then select Apply and OK.

Open Personalization settings

Your desktop icons may be hidden. To view them, right-click the desktop, select View, and then select Show desktop icons. To add icons to your desktop such as This PC, Recycle Bin and more:

Select the Start button, and then select Settings > Personalization > Themes.
Under Themes > Related Settings, select Desktop icon settings.
Choose the icons you would like to have on your desktop, then select Apply and OK.
Note: If you are in tablet mode, you may not be able to see your desktop icons properly. You can find the program by searching for the program name in File Explorer. To turn off tablet mode, select action center on the taskbar (next to date and time), and then select Tablet mode to turn it on or off.

Open Personalization settings

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Select Start , select the arrow next to All apps, right-click the app, then select More > Pin to taskbar.
If the app is already open on the desktop, press and hold (or right click) the app's taskbar icon, and then select Pin to taskbar.

Note: To remove a pinned app from the taskbar, right-click the app icon, then select Unpin from taskbar.

Press and hold (or right-click) the desktop, then select New > Shortcut.
Enter the location of the item or select Browse to find the item in File Explorer, then select the location and select OK.
Select Next, then select Finish.

Notes:

To delete a shortcut from your desktop, press and hold (or right-click) it, select Show more options, then select Delete. Only the shortcut is removed, not the original item.
You can't create shortcuts for Windows Store apps.

Select Start , scroll to the app you want to pin, then press and hold (or right-click) the app. Select More > Pin to taskbar.
If the app is already open on the desktop, press and hold (or right click) the app's taskbar icon, and then select Pin to taskbar.

Note: To remove a pinned app from the taskbar, right-click the app icon, then select Unpin from taskbar.

Press and hold (or right-click) the desktop, then select New > Shortcut.
Enter the location of the item or select Browse to find the item in File Explorer, then select the location and select OK.
Select Next, then select Finish.

Notes:

To delete a shortcut from your desktop, press and hold (or right-click) it, then select Delete.
If you delete a shortcut, only the shortcut is removed, not the original item.
You can't create shortcuts for Windows Store apps.