The icons from the desktop or from the taskbar are missing, what should I do in this case. Missing icons from the desktop or from the taskbar, what to do in this case Recovering icons on the windows 10 desktop

More than one month has passed since the implementation of the latest version of the Windows operating system, so users have had time to "take a closer look" at the top ten. Of course, in the course of operation, some users had to deal with certain errors and failures (where without them) and not many can do without expert advice in such situations. Anyway, the "ten" is not so long ago on the market that at least 50% of active users would know it from the inside.

In this article, we will talk about another problem that the owners of the "top ten" encounter. In a kind of collection of crashes that we often talk about, there is also the loss of icons from the desktop.

Moreover, this happens very unexpectedly and they notice such vagaries of the system both after the update and after a clean installation. Despite such embarrassment, no other deformations and failures in the operation of the operating system are observed. By the way, the loss can occur not only after the update or installation, but also after the next launch, when you simply turn on the system.

Amazingly, so far no one has been able to identify even one source of this problem.

Of course, we can assume that one of the reasons may be viruses, which always bring continuous troubles into the system, but these are just guesses.

Fortunately, the lack of a definition of the cause did not prevent the craftsmen from finding ways to solve the problem, which we will describe in this article.

Returning icons using context menu options

1 way

It so happens that the user has simply inadvertently disabled the display of icons through the "View" option and is now racking his brains, not knowing why he is punished. This item can be found at the beginning of the context menu, which can be called after pressing the right mouse button when you are on the desktop. In this option, you need to check if the item "Display desktop icons" is checked. Even if it is activated, try marking it again.


2 way

The next method of solving the problem is also carried out using the context menu of the desktop, only through the "Create" option. You can choose any of the proposed options (although the first one, ie "Folder"). As soon as the element is created, all the icons that were before the loss should return to the table.


Using system settings

The "tens" parameters are very complex and voluminous settings, in which the cause of any malfunctions is often hidden, although as it turns out later, there were no malfunctions at all - the required item was simply not marked, etc. So, first, activate the "Options" and open the "System" section. Go to Tablet Mode (left side of the screen).

On the right side of the dialog box, you will see two switches with which you need to do a simple trick - first activate the "Enabled" mode, and then move the indicator to the "Disabled" position.

Actually, after such simple actions, the appearance of the desktop should return to its previous state.


Restore icons through the "Task Manager"

This method has become widespread even in previous versions of Windows. If the previous methods did not help you, then the reason may be in the malfunctioning of the system files (in any case, it was so in the "seven" and "eight"). It is specifically about the explorer.exe file, which is responsible for displaying desktop items. Therefore, if problems arise with the launch of this file, you may encounter a similar situation, although this option has not yet been confirmed on the top ten.

In general, this instruction still remains relevant, especially since no negative consequences will occur after its implementation. So, first, activate the "Task Manager" (use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select the appropriate item).

In the manager, click the "File" option, then "New task".

After that, enter the file name (without extension) and activate the OK button. Thanks to these actions, you manually start explorer.exe, which for some reason might not work at all after the system boots.

However, some users complained about the inability to use the "Dispatcher", because after an attempt to start the system displays an error message, they say, the tool is not available. This picture hints at serious problems with system files, which could be significantly affected by various viruses.

In this case, it is necessary to completely scan the system, because here we are talking not only about the display of icons, but also about the safety and security of the system as a whole.

In some cases, launching the explorer.exe file in manual mode may fail. The user will simply see a message in front of him that tells about the absence or damage of the specified element. In this situation, you need to use the recovery system. In principle, the user may have to log into the system using Safe Mode to complete the procedure.

Anyway, the above instructions are worth trying. At least sweat for the reason that no other solutions have yet been invented / announced. In general, each advice implies a minimum set of actions from the user, so you will not get confused and do not spoil anything if you doubt some points, because it is not for nothing that we write out the instructions in as much detail as possible so that the reader does not have any questions.

Regarding the problem of missing icons from the desktop, we tried to combine all the currently available tips in one article. We hope that among them you will find a solution to the problem and you will not have to wait for those times when the "bright" heads from the Windows company will tell you about new methods of eliminating this problem.

You can also find out what to do if the desktop has disappeared completely or the task manager is disabled on our website.

If you still have questions on the topic "Icons disappeared from the Windows 10 desktop, what should I do? ", You can ask them in the comments


Recently, users have encountered the problem of disappearing shortcuts from the desktop. If you came to our site, it means that your desktop icons are gone and you do not know why they are not displayed.

In this article, we will look at what to do if icons disappeared from the Windows 10 desktop. And you will also learn how to hide shortcuts on the Windows 10 desktop in several ways. We will analyze options for solving the problem using the example of Windows 10, but they will also be relevant on previous operating systems.

The process of returning icons is not difficult at all when you know what to do. To enable desktop icons, open the context menu on the desktop and select the tab View, and then Display desktop icons.

If this option did not help, we try to enable and immediately disable the tablet mode, which you can read more about in our article.

Open the notification center, which contains the button to enable and disable tablet mode.
After turning it on, turn it off and see if the icons appear on the desktop. This method can help in very rare cases.

The most serious way is to fix the problem by making changes to the registry. Before these we recommend that you read the article in order to always be able to roll back the changes.


Hide shortcuts on Windows 10 desktop

Similarly, you can hide shortcuts on the Windows 10 desktop. To hide all shortcuts from unwanted eyes, you can use the same two methods. I think it's not worth talking in more detail about how to hide icons, since the process is really not complicated.

In this article, we did not delve into why the shortcuts on the desktop are not displayed, since there can be several reasons ranging from malicious software to incorrect desktop settings. We just looked at how to fix the situation when the shortcuts from the desktop in Windows 10 are missing.

Sometimes Windows 10 clients are faced with a problem: they turn on the computer, and their "Desktop" does not have certain icons that they need to work. Why could this happen? How to be in such a situation? Let's consider today how to return the necessary icons and again get quick access to services and programs.

Why icons disappear from the Windows 10 Desktop

Before solving the problem with the sudden disappearance of icons in Windows 10, you need to consider for what reasons this could happen. There are several explanations:

  1. Infection with viruses. They are able to make changes to the system settings, thereby removing the icons. In this regard, before returning the icons to the "Desktop", you need to scan the hard drives of your PC for malware using an antivirus, so that after the icons are restored, the situation does not repeat itself.
  2. System failure. This may be a single bug. In this case, you just need to manually return all the icons.
  3. Disabled system process explorer.
  4. Activated "Tablet Mode". To return the familiar icons, you need to disable this mode.
  5. Installing Windows updates with errors. If the icons disappeared immediately after updating the system, it is possible that the installation of the update was incorrect. In this case, manually add the shortcuts again.
  6. Incorrect disconnection of the second monitor.

Putting the icons back on the "Desktop"

There are several ways to fix the situation: by eliminating the cause itself using the "Task Manager" and "Registry Editor" or by manually returning the necessary icons.

Using the context menu options

Utility icons can be removed from the Desktop by themselves if their display is disabled. To turn the feature back on, do the following:

If this method does not help, recreate the program icons manually using another context menu option:

  1. Click again on a free field on the "Desktop" with the right mouse button.
  2. In the list, click on "Create". Now click on "Label".
    Click on "Shortcut" to create a shortcut for a specific program
  3. In the new window, click on "Browse" to select the desired program file in "Windows Explorer".
    Click on the "Browse" button to select the application in "Windows Explorer"
  4. As a rule, all utilities are stored on the system drive in the Program Files folder. We find the required application, for example, Skype. Open the messenger folder and look for the Skype.exe file, which launches the utility. Click on OK.
    Select the file of the program whose shortcut you want to see on your "Desktop"
  5. Now click on "Next" in the main window.
    Click on the "Next" button to continue the procedure for creating a shortcut
  6. We print the new name of the shortcut or leave the standard file name. Click on "Finish".
    Enter a name for the shortcut and click on "Finish"

Revert to default icons in the Options window

If classic Windows icons, for example, "Recycle Bin" or "My Computer", disappeared on your home screen, you can quickly restore them. Just use the following instruction:

  1. First, click on the area free of icons on the main Windows screen with the right mouse button to bring up the context menu you already know.
    Select "Personalization" in the context menu of the "Desktop"
  2. In the list of options and sections, click on the last item "Personalization".
  3. In the large window, go directly to the "Themes" tab.
  4. Now we turn our attention to the right column with links in the window. Click on "Desktop Icon Options".
    Click on the link "Desktop Icon Options"
  5. A small window will open on top of the main one. In it, we put a checkmark to the left of the shortcuts that you want to see on your "Desktop". You can install "My Computer", "Control Panel", "Trash" and some others.
    Check the icons you need and click on "Apply"
  6. After that, click on "Apply" and then on OK to close the additional window. The marked icons will immediately appear on your Desktop.

Video: how to replace standard Windows shortcuts

Registry Fix to Restore Desktop

The sudden disappearance of icons from the "Desktop" can be triggered by errors in the registry - the operating system database, which the latter constantly accesses during operation. It stores all the settings of the system, utilities, connected equipment (printers, headphones, etc.), so it is very important that the registry works correctly. What if the reason is an error in the registry?

  1. On the keyboard, hold down the Win + R key combination, which will bring up a small "Run" window. In it we enter the word regedit.
    Enter the command regedit in the "Open" field
  2. The Registry Editor window will open. Before further manipulations, you need to create a backup copy of the registry in case of incorrect editing. To do this, click on the "File" object on the top panel, and then on the "Export" option.
    Click on "Export" in the "File" menu
  3. We print the name and save it in any folder convenient for you or even on the "Desktop". This file will help to restore the previous state of the registry. To do this, you just need to start it with a double click.
    Save a backup of your registry anywhere you like
  4. On the left side of the window, open the third master branch HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
    Open the third main folder HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE on the left side of the window
  5. Now, sequentially launch the following folders: Software - Microsoft - WindowsNT - CurrentVersion - Winlogon.
    In the Winlogon folder, find the Shell entry
  6. On the right side of the window, look for a registry entry called Shell. We launch it by double-clicking and see what value this parameter has. There should be explorer.exe. If there is another one, we change it immediately.
    The Shell parameter should be set to explorer.exe
  7. Another parameter in the Userinit list should be C: \\ Windows \\ system32 \\ userinit.exe.
    The Userinit parameter should be C: \\ Windows \\ system32 \\ userinit.exe
  8. After changing the values \u200b\u200bof these two parameters, a black screen may appear. Don't worry, it will disappear in a few seconds.

Restore icons through the "Task Manager"

The explorer.exe service process, or Explorer, is responsible for the graphics of Windows. Icons can disappear at one moment from the "Desktop" due to the fact that it does not work correctly or is not launched at all. In the first case, it must be restarted. How can I do this?

  1. In Windows 10, launching the "Task Manager" is very simple: click on the "Taskbar" with the right mouse button and select the desired item in the context menu. Open the "Task Manager" via the context menu "Taskbars"
  2. In the first section "Processes", we look carefully in the list for the item "Explorer". Select it with the left mouse button, and then click on the "Restart" button located at the bottom of the window.
    Highlight the "Explorer" item in the "Processes" tab and click on "Restart"
  3. If you did not find this process in the list, click on "File" on the top panel and select the first item "Start new task".
    In the "File" menu, click on the item "Run new task"
  4. In a new small window in a single field, type explorer.exe or explorer. Click OK to start the created task.
    Enter the explorer.exe command in the "Open" field
  5. The same launch command can be sent to the system in another way: using the "Run" window. Hold down the Win + R combination on the keyboard. Write one of the two commands and click OK.

Turn off tablet mode

Icons do not appear on the Desktop if Tablet Mode is enabled. How to disable it and make sure that the system does not turn it on on its own?

  1. First you need to make sure that Tablet Mode is not activated on your PC. To do this, hold down the Win and A (Latin) keys. An area with notifications and tiles will appear on the right side of the screen. The very first will be "Tablet Mode". If it is active (saturated color as opposed to off), click on it once with the left mouse button. It will immediately dim - the screen will return to the "Desktop" mode.
  2. After all the manipulations, you need to turn on the system "Start" menu and click on the gear-shaped icon, which is located directly above the button to turn off the device. This action will open the Windows Settings window. Click on the gear-shaped icon in the Start menu to open Windows Settings
  3. Launch the first section "System" with one click.
    Open the first section "System"
  4. In the first drop-down menu, select Use Desktop Mode, and in the second drop-down menu, select Always ask permission before switching mode.
    In the first dropdown menu select "Use Desktop Mode"
  5. Move the two sliders to the On position and then back to Off.

Shutting down the PC using the button on the laptop

A non-standard way to get icons back is to turn off the device using the power button, rather than through the system's Start menu. To do this, close all utility windows and hold down the button. After turning on the computer, the shortcuts should reappear on the "Desktop".

Scanning explorer.exe

Icons can be deleted from the "Desktop" by themselves if the explorer.exe file, which is responsible for the Windows 10 window interface, is damaged. What can be done in this case? You need to scan the file using special commands:


Video: Several Methods for Recovering Desktop Icons

System rollback

One of the most effective ways to get icons back is to restore the system to its previous state, when all the necessary icons were still on the Desktop. This method will help you if everyone else does not produce any results and you do not want to return them manually. Use the following instruction:

  1. Click on the magnifying glass icon on the Taskbar next to the Start button. We print the request "Control Panel". As you type, the system will display suggested search results. Click the left mouse button on the item with the corresponding name. Open "Control Panel" with "Windows Search"
  2. At the top, find the search bar and enter the query "Recovery". In the results, run the section with this name.
    Open the "Recovery" section in the "Control Panel"
  3. Now you need to click on the second option "Start System Restore".
    Click on the second item "Start System Restore"
  4. The recovery wizard window will appear on the screen. Read the information and just click on the "Next" button in the lower right corner of the window.
    In the wizard window, click on "Next"
  5. In the list of restore points, select the desired one with the left mouse button. Click on "Next" again. The button "Search for affected programs" allows you to find out which utilities and drivers will be removed and which will be restored
  6. We click on "Finish" for the system to start the recovery process - rollback to the time when the shortcuts on the "Desktop" were still.
    Click on "Finish" to start the recovery process

Video: how to roll back the system using a restore point

Recovering icons on the taskbar

There are several methods to put back the necessary icons on the "Taskbar". In particular, by rebooting the "Explorer" process in the "Task Manager" and by rolling back the system through a restore point. Detailed instructions for these methods were described in the "Recovering Icons Using the Task Manager" and "System Rollback" sections of this article.

You also have the right to manually set the same icons on the "Taskbar" yourself. To do this, do the following:

  1. Right-click on the field free of shortcuts on the "Desktop". In the list, select the very last item "Personalization".
  2. Now we switch directly to the last tab "Taskbar". Scroll down the page to the link "Select the icons displayed in the taskbar." We click on it.
    Click on the link "Select the icons displayed on the taskbar"
  3. Use the switches to add or remove system icons and utility icons. As you turn on certain icons, you will immediately see that they appear on the "Taskbar".
    Use the switches to activate the icons you need on the "Taskbar"
  4. Click on the back arrow to return to the main tab. Now we click on the second link "Turn on and off system icons". Here you can configure the display of standard Windows icons on the taskbar: power, touch keyboard, network, volume, etc. Enable the icons you need and close the window with Windows settings.
    Enable the system icons you need
  5. If the first list did not contain the program that you want to return to the "Taskbar", drag its shortcut from the "Desktop": to do this, hold down the icon with the left mouse button and drag it to the panel.
    Drag the program shortcut from the "Desktop" to the "Taskbar"
  6. When the icon is within the panel, release the mouse button - the icon will lock.
    Skype shortcut stuck on the taskbar

If you have turned on Tablet Mode and you have lost all the icons from the Taskbar, this means that you have enabled the Hide application icons option in the Taskbar tab in the Windows Settings window. Find it and disable it using the instructions in the "Turn off Tablet PC mode" section of this article.

If you suddenly lost the icons you need on the "Desktop" and "Taskbar", first of all check if you have any malware on your PC. To do this, use your updated antivirus. You can get icons back by creating new shortcuts through the context menu options and changing settings in the Windows Settings window. The "Registry Editor" and "Task Manager" will also come to the rescue, in which you can restart the "Explorer" process, which is responsible for the Windows graphical interface and displaying icons.

Surely, many have noticed that with the advent of new operating systems, namely with Windows 8 and 10, after their installation, the icons so familiar to everyone disappeared: trash, computer, documents. More precisely, they did not disappear, but simply disappeared from users and moved to the Start menu, where they were displayed in the form of tiles. But, having found these shortcuts in the start-up, users had a new problem - they could not be returned to the desktop in any way. By calling the property of the shortcut, it could be pinned to the taskbar, but there was not a word about the desktop in the properties.

As a result, the question of how to return icons to the desktop and why they disappeared began to be asked by users more and more often. This is not surprising, since these icons position themselves as things that must be on the desktop. Here I am, always after or after, the first thing I do is return the icons for my documents, computer and trash can.

Bringing Desktop Icons Back

As I said earlier, the desktop icons have not disappeared anywhere, they just moved to the start, but this does not suit us, so let me show you how you can return the desktop icons to their place in Windows 8 and 10.

How to get desktop icons back in Windows 8

Well, we right-click on any place on the desktop, than we will call the context menu, in which we select “ Personalization».

Now, in the opened window of the desktop settings, on the right side, click on "".

The options will open, where in the area of \u200b\u200bdesktop icons we remove or mark the name of those icons that should be displayed on the main screen. For example, for home computers, I check: computer, trash, user files and control panel. Having finished with the choice, press " Apply"And close the window by clicking on" OK».

That's all, now all the labels have returned to their rightful places.

How to get my computer icons and my documents back to Windows 10

Well, everything is clear with Windows 8, let's now deal with Windows 10. The principle of returning desktop icons is similar to the eight, but some menu items have been changed, so, just in case, I'll show you how to do this in the new system.

To begin with, we execute the same command as above, calling the context menu where we click on " Personalization».

In the parameters, go to the line “ Topics"And going to the first side, click on" ".


As you can see, no one deleted anything, just the developers hid these icons from the eyes of users, and left them only in the Start menu, which made it possible for ordinary users to choose which shortcuts should be displayed and which should be hidden.

Enabling desktop icons in an alternative way

These lines will be useful to those who for some reason does not work with "Personalization", for example, because of or for some other reason. In general, this setting can be done through the control panel, going into which in the search bar we will write the word icons. In the search results, the item "Personalization" should appear, by clicking on which you can restore everything as you need it.

Another alternative way is to execute one command, which will return the desktop icons to their usual place. So, calling the "Run" menu with the "Win + R" keyboard shortcut, copy and paste there, this command: Rundll32 shell32.dll, Control_RunDLL desk.cpl, 5 ... And we confirm the input by clicking on " OK».

Thus, everything will fall into place, if you still have questions or have something to add, then leave comments and, as usual, I invite you to join us in