2. Select all the checkboxes for desktop icons. Step 1: Right-click on the problematic file type, go to Open with and select Choose another app. Several users have reported that the Nvidia didn't open when the icon was showing up in the search results. We recommend installing Restoro, a tool that will scan your machine and identify what the fault is.Click hereto download and start repairing. Click on "View" in the pop-up menu. Double-click on it to open its Properties box. If the issue is with your Computer or a Laptop you should try using Restoro which can scan the repositories and replace corrupt and missing files. If this service encounters any issues, your desktop and taskbar icons may disappear. Heres how to change that. System file scanning can also sometimes fix Windows 11 desktop icons not showing. Any update on this? Required fields are marked *. Hence, you may activate the same to solve the problem. It also keeps you away from critical file loss, hardware failure, and repairs damages made by malware and viruses. It will open another window where you can change icons of This PC, User Folder, Network, Recycle Bin using the Change Icon button. https://www.thewindowsclub.com/rebuild-icon-clear-thumbnail-cache-windows-10. THank God I was able to resolve it. Fix 4: Try system restore. IT WORKEDThank you so very much for your tutorial!! Step 2: Click on Personalization in the left pane of the window.. Credit to the author. There are so many different fonts to choose from when working on a project but selecting one can be a big decision. Step 3: Scroll down to select Thumbnails and click on the Remove files option at the top. In this case, move directly to the next method below. Thank you for mentioning OneDrive. ; Now select Apps and expand the MS Office installation. 5. I only needed to complete step 3. You can try updating the faulty driver using Device Manager to see if that helps. Disable Windows 10 Tablet mode. My training enabled me to fully use the various Microsoft Applications while also allowing to work around problems. Press the WIN + I keyboard shortcut to open the Settings app, then navigate to: Personalization -> Themes. If the method above was not effective in your case, you should proceed by troubleshooting a potential corruption thats affecting the icon cache. An outdated graphics driver on Windows can also lead to such anomalies. Right-click any empty space on your desktop and navigate to the View tab at the top, then check the Show desktop icons option. You can try changing the default app for the file type to see if that helps. Restart File Explorer. replied to Anonymous. Next, go to C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local folder Step 1: Press Windows key + I to open Settings and go to Storage. Open the Local Group Policy Editor. If you already ensured that the desktop icons are enabled from the GUI and you still dont see them, move down to the next potential fix below. If you use a PC, there's no doubt you would be using a mouse along with it. If you are having troubles fixing an error, your system may be partially broken. It is missing right from Windows 10 and has been configured such that users can choose what appears in the Start menu. Choose Personalization. As Windows changed, it allowed you to hide the desktop icons, so everything looked cleaner. Step 1: Open the Start menu, type view advanced system settings, and press Enter. In this screenshot, you can clearly see how Windows drops a shadow for icon labels: Resolution. 3. Follow the instructions below to create and run a .reg file that fixes the potential registry corruption: How to Fix Windows 11 Desktop Shortcuts Not Showing After Update. Anand Khanse is the Admin of TheWindowsClub.com, a 10-year Microsoft MVP (2006-16) & a Windows Insider MVP (2016-2022). Below are the answers to almost each of the questions that anyone might have about the icons not showing up on the desktop. Step 1: Right-click on the desktop and go to Personalize. Usually, this happens if the file associations are messed up. System file corruption: Icon display issues can feasibly arise from corrupted system files. Now, you'll see a window containing desktop icons. How do I fix icons not displaying on my desktop? Click Apply and then OK to see if the missing desktop icons appear. Now access the Explorer Registry key. If you dont want themes to change these icons, uncheck the box next that allows changing theme desktop icons. When a folder is encrypted, Windows adds a lock icon overlay to the folder icon to identify it as an encrypted folder. Wait for the scan to reach 100 percent and show an outcome message inside Command Prompt. If this is missing, this is exactly why you suddenly cannot see your desktop icons. Then press the Windows logo key. Now some users have reported that the desktop icons do not show when they place them on their Windows 11 or Windows 10 desktop. Delete the hidden IconCache.db file. In the pop-out menu, look to see if there is a check mark next to the "Show desktop icons" setting. Rebuild Thumbnail Cache in this tutorial to resolve my issues. For information on how to show or hide individual . To fix this, you must disable this Hide and disable all items on the desktop from the Group Policy Editor. Here's how to bring the desktop icons back on Windows 11. Scroll down to the app you want to add to the desktop. TheWindowsClub covers authentic Windows 11, Windows 10 tips, tutorials, how-to's, features, freeware. If desktop icons are disabled from the Group Policy Editor, you wont be able to add or remove desktop icons no matter what you do. How To Choose Knowledge Management Software For Windows. Once the Properties window appears, click on the 'Change Icon' button. This article shared many fixes to the Windows icons not showing up on the desktop issue. I'm using Win 10, but I assume there is something similar in Win 11. Reboot your PC and see if the icons have repeated on the desktop of your Windows 11. Right-click on the NoDesktop DWORD value and use the Delete option. Desktop icons disappeared after Windows 11 update? How to Generate Art from Text Using Simplified AI Art Generator? Also Read: How to Fix Run as Administrator Not Showing in Windows. Select the file search tool on the taskbar by clicking its box or button. If there has been a recent Windows 10 update, it could be that your missing desktop icons are related to a vulnerability patch contained in that update. how to access the Local Group Policy Editor on Windows Home, how to add icons to the desktop on Windows, Paste the following command in the console and press. After knowing the possible causes of the problem, let us move towards troubleshooting. If the issue persists even after updating the driver, your graphics driver may be corrupt. If your desktop icons are still missing at this point, you can try restoring them manually. 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. Copy the following commands and paste them one after the other in the Command Prompt window. Step 2: Click on Temporary Files. A number will appear for a second on each monitor. Click and drag the icon. Step 1: Open the Start menu, type file explorer options, and press Enter. Here you can configure which ones should appear. Go to Windows Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar corner overflow. Wait for the process to complete and then restart your PC. Problems with the cache files might be a reason the Windows icons are not showing. If this is the case, you can restart the Windows Explorer process to fix the problem. The longer you use computers and specific applications, the more familiar you become with useful keyboard shortcuts. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Here are a couple of troubleshooting tips to fix the problem of Windows 11 desktop icons not showing. Step 4: Turn on desktop . Then use the delete key to remove the text, and press the Enter key. Step 2: When you click the Folder Options tab. Step 1: Press Windows key + I to open Settings and go to Storage. Right-click on the Best match and click on Open file location; a new File Explorer window should pop up. While they are there for security reasons, it gets annoying to get the prompt every time you run it. Since there are no icons on the desktop, it should not matter where you right-click. Luckily, there is an easy fix for this issue. Select Show and Click the Hidden items option. WRs guide to factory resetting Windows 11 includes instructions for how to do that with the built-in tool and other methods. Now, uncheck the Auto arrange icons option from the sub-menu. Top 8 Ways to Fix Mouse Cursor Not Showing on Windows 11. Press the Yes button in that box.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'thewindowsclub_com-leader-1','ezslot_7',821,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thewindowsclub_com-leader-1-0'); if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'thewindowsclub_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_6',801,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thewindowsclub_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');In the final step, you need to restart File Explorer. Top 5 Ways to Fix Outlook Not Showing Contacts on Windows 11. 2. Therefore, this resolution applies to the Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise editions in which you can access that tool. After reboot, you should be able to see the thumbnails like normal. If the thumbnail not showing the issue is limited to only a few file types, it might be due to the set default application. Close the elevated Windows Terminal app and see if the problem is now fixed. Generally this can be displayed. Now select the Desktop folder, present in the right pane. If the icon cache is responsible for this problem, you should be able to fix the problem by refreshing the icon cache via Windows Terminal or by rebuilding the entire icon cache using a custom .BAT file. The Accessibility Checker uses the same axe-windows engine as Accessibility Insights, which is the same accessibility testing tool the Visual Studio team uses for our own accessibility testing. Below are the step-by-step instructions to do it. Lastly, I am not sure why anyone would ever use this setting, but nonetheless, it exists, so it is good to know where to find it and toggle it off and on as needed. Several affected users that were also dealing with this issue on Windows 11 have reported that theyve been able to fix the problem by creating a custom .reg file to ensure that the registry database related to icon management is not corrupted. How to Fix Icons Not Showing on Desktop Issue. DEL %userprofile%\AppData\Local\IconCache.db /a. I found the solution. Download PC Repair Tool to quickly find & fix Windows errors automatically. Right-click a folder on your Windows 11 PC and select Show more options to expand the menu. Created by Anand Khanse, MVP. OneDrive as an online signin and upload or download is a helpful resource, for me. Users whove restored missing Windows 11 desktop icons with other methods are most welcome to share alternative fixes in the comments below. File Explorer on Windows is known to run into errors at times. To change your Outlook configuration so that the Outlook icon is displayed in the taskbar when Outlook is running, use the following steps: Start Outlook if it is not running. From there, select an icon that you can easily identify and then click on 'OK'. We have earlier talked about tweaking Visual Effects, disabling Show content while dragging objects and disabling Font Smoothing in order to enhance the performance of Windows 11/10. That said, now that Start Menu and Taskbar have evolved, putting icons on the Desktop may not make a lot of sense. Reply. Fonts can come. Rebuilding the entire icon cache will require you to build a custom BAT file that will automatically run a series of commands that will effectively rebuild the cache associated with every Windows icon. Image: MSpoweruser. If the two methods above didnt work in your case, chances are youre dealing with some kind of corruption that is affecting the registry database that handles your Windows icons. Following this, your desktop icons should be visible. This is the first guide I found that actually repaired the issue; most of them only suggest the File Explorer Options method to only view thumbnails. Not associated with Microsoft. Go to Windows Settings (Win + I) > Personalization > Themes. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. 2. None of my older computers with previous Windows OS versions had this issue ever. Step 2: In the System Properties window that opens, switch to the Advanced tab and click on the Settings button under Performance. All hidden icons will show up instantly. Hopefully, the above-mentioned solutions have helped you restore the missing desktop icons on Windows 11 and things are back to normal. You might only need to select a context menu option to restore missing desktop icons. These are the causes for desktop icons not showing in Windows 11: Now lets get your Windows 11 desktop icons back. Open up Notepad with admin access. Rebuilding the entire icon cache will require you to build a custom BAT file that will automatically run a series of commands that will effectively rebuild the cache associated with every Windows icon. We recommend downloading this PC Repair tool (rated Great on TrustPilot.com) to easily address them. Go to Settings > Personalization > Start > Folders. Launch the Start menu by clicking on the Windows icon in the taskbar or pressing the Windows key from the keyboard. 4 . He recently joined Guiding Tech as a freelance writer to cover how-tos, explainers, buying guides, tips and tricks for Android, iOS, Windows, and Web. Change the Desktop icon settings. A special window titled "Desktop Icon Settings" will appear. Its possible that youve been logged in with a temporary profile, or you need to fix corrupted values for icon spacing in Registry Editor. Being a technology enthusiast, she loves learning new things about tech and making everyone technologically literate through her articles. Top 6 Ways to Fix File Explorer Tabs Not Showing in Windows 11. Then, click the Browse button to locate the file, folder, or app you want to add to your desktop. Missing important WhatsApp messages is never fun. Make sure there is a check-mark next to the Show desktop icons option. Your taskbar will disappear for a brief moment and then reappear. In that case, I recommend accessing WIdgets; Disable all Widgets and leave only Weather enabled; Press Windows key + i and go to Personalization; Click on Taskbars; Disable and enable Widgets; Verify that the icon now appears on the taskbar; See you soon! 1:46. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Type the name of the program you want to add to the Windows 11 desktop. Final remarks: Desktop icons not showing in Windows 11/10. Fix: White Boxes/Squares on Desktop Shortcuts. Change the Desktop icon settings The path for this key is: On the right-hand side of the Explorer key, look for the NoDesktop DWORD value. Unifying tasks and schedule by syncing calendar to my computer is one of the most favorite features of the Microsft Calendar. Select the Outlook icon in the notification area. If you're facing this baffling problem, this guide will help you restore the missing desktop icons in Windows 11. Choose View and select Show desktop icons. In this case, move directly to the next method below. How to Stop Windows 11 from Showing Edge Tabs in Alt+Tab Windows 11 Sep 6, 2021. . Cannot right-click anywhere on the desktop to restore the missing icons? Try checking and unchecking Show Desktop icons option a few times, but remember to leave this option checked. First, right-click on the blank icon from your desktop and select 'Properties'. The last resort is to restore the System to go back to normal. The content remains unbiased and authentic. 2. Copy the file to your Windows 11 PC and make sure you put it somewhere you plan to keep it . Q1. Some Windows users are reporting that after installing a pending update on Windows 11, their desktop shortcuts have completely disappeared. Right-click anywhere on an empty spot on your desktop and select View > Show desktop icons. 1. Step 4: Click on Taskbar behaviors option at the end of the page. You may also share your doubts/questions in the comments section. 2. Step 1: Right-click on the Start menu icon Windows Terminal (admin) option from the resulting menu. Commerce major. The icons usually appear when there is activity, but if you want to keep an icon visible, you can do so using the Taskbar Settings. If Windows 11 is failing to load up thumbnails, you can try running an SFC scan by following the steps below. On the right-hand side pane, click the Desktop icon settings option. Select Options from that menu. Reboot. Step 1: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to quickly launch the Task Manager. Or you can also access the tab through "Start" > "Settings" > "Personalization". Open the Settings app by pressing Win key+I key on your keyboard. Top 5 Ways to Fix YouTube Thumbnails Not Showing. Visual Studio now has an integrated Accessibility Checker that detects many common accessibility issues for XAML based desktop applications. If you want to hide or unhide the desktop icons, or if your Desktop icons are not showing in Windows 11/10/8/7, then this post is sure to help you. Copyright 2023 The Windows ClubFreeware Releases from TheWindowsClubFree Windows Software Downloads, If you find that your desktop icons are missing, type, Download PC Repair Tool to quickly find & fix Windows errors automatically. 3:13. Right click on your desktop and select View. Follow. Remove Lock Overlay Icon on Encrypted Files. Any application can add its icon to the system tray. On the expanded menu, click Properties. If your answer is no, you can ask anything via the contact forum section related to this article. Toggle on the settings next to the app icon you want to appear. Go to the desktop. There's a chance that a recent system change is to blame for the missing desktop icons in Windows 11. Your desktop icons may be hidden. Anand Khanse is the Admin of TheWindowsClub.com, a 10-year Microsoft MVP (2006-16) & a Windows Insider MVP (2016-2022). Now you need to pin the shortcut to the taskbar. Fix 3: Build the icon cache again. To rebuild icon cache on Windows 11: Press Win + S to open the search menu. Step 3: After clicking Personalization, Scroll down the page and click on Taskbar on the right side of the window.. The desktop is a lot less useful if you can't put icons on it. What did work? While we all love to keep icons and files on the Desktop for quick access, it results in too much clutter. This is why you don't want to start adding icons to your desktop again - as you will only be adding duplicates since the original icons are not being displayed. 2. Top 7 Ways to Fix WhatsApp Desktop App Not Showing Notifications on Windows 11. Follow these steps to perform a system restore on Windows: Wait for Windows to reboot and revert to the specified restore point. 29 Apr 2021 #2. 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