8 Quick Ways to Fix Desktop Icons Not Showing on Windows 10

Encompassing solutions that will help you get your icons back

by Madalina Dinita
Madalina Dinita
Madalina Dinita
Windows & Software Expert
Madalina has been a Windows fan ever since she got her hands on her first Windows XP computer. She is interested in all things technology, especially emerging technologies... read more
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Reviewed by Alex Serban
Alex Serban
Alex Serban
Windows Server & Networking Expert
After moving away from the corporate work-style, Alex has found rewards in a lifestyle of constant analysis, team coordination and pestering his colleagues. Holding an MCSA Windows Server... read more
Affiliate Disclosure
  • If your Desktop icons are not showing on Windows 10, it might be due to an app or program you installed recently.
  • One quick and effective solution to this issue is to disable the tablet mode.
  • Another fix to apply if your desktop icons are not working is to perform a system restore.
desktop icons not showing
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Windows 10 is a stunning OS with a series of excellent features. However, it is not a perfect machine, with many users reporting that the desktop icons are not showing.

This can be frustrating, but it is not an issue that is unheard of, just like the desktop icons blank issue. Thankfully, you can fix it easily by applying the solutions in this detailed guide.

Why did all my desktop icons disappear?

There are various factors that can be responsible if your desktop icons are not showing. Below are some of the popular ones:

  • Wrong settings: One of the major causes of this issue is the disabling of some settings. An example is the Show all desktop icons feature that allows you to view the icons.
  • Interference from other apps: If you started noticing this issue after installing an app, it might be the cause. You need to remove the app using one of the best uninstaller software to restore normalcy.

Some of the variations of this issue include desktop icons not showing on the main display, Desktop icons not showing on the second monitor, Desktop icons not showing pictures, and Desktop icons not showing in File Explorer.

However, the solutions below will help you fix all these problems and restore your desktop icons.

How do I fix icons not displaying on Windows 10?

1. Make sure the Show Desktop icons feature is enabled

  1. Right-click on the empty area on your desktop.
  2. Choose View and select Show desktop icons.
    show view
  3. Try checking and unchecking Show Desktop icons option a few times, but remember to leave this option checked.

2. Change the Desktop icon settings

  1. Click the Start button and select Settings.
  2. Choose Personalization.
  3. Go to Themes from the left pane, then scroll down on the right and click on Desktop icon settings.
  4. Now, select the icons you want to see on your desktop, then click on Apply and OK to make the changes.
  5. If you are here, you may also uncheck the Allow themes to change desktop icons box but this will only apply to their appearance on the screen.

3. Rebuild the icon cache

  1. Press the Windows key + E to launch File Explorer and click the View tab at the top.
  2. Check the box for Hidden items to display hidden files and folders.
    view hidden desktop icons not showing
  3. Now, navigate to the path below: C:\Users\(User Name)\AppData\Local
  4. Right-click on IconCache.db and select Delete.
    delete
  5. Next, go to the Recycle Bin and empty it.
  6. Finally, restart your computer.

One of the most common tweaks when resolving the missing desktop icons on Windows 10 is rebuilding the cache. It is always effective in fixing these issues. So, you should try it.

4. Disable the tablet mode

  1. Press the Windows key + I to open Settings and select System.
    system
  2. Choose Tablet from the left.
  3. Now, click the dropdown under When I sign in and select Never use tablet mode.
    never desktop icons not showing

One of the factors that make the desktop icons not toshow properly on Windows 10 is the tablet mode. Users have been able to fix this issue simply by disabling this feature. So, you should try it too.

Although it may sound banal, it’s quite possible you overlooked this. So, to be sure, check if your Desktop icons are set to appear once again.

5. Run explorer.exe

  1. Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open Task Manager.
  2. Right-click the explorer.exe or Windows Explorer process under the Processes tab and select the End task button.
    end-task
  3. Now, click the File option at the top left and click Run new task.
    file desktop icons not showing
  4. Type explorer.exe in the box, and then proceed to click OK.
    explorer.exe

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The explorer.exe process is important for smoothly running your apps and processes. If it is a problem, your desktop icons might not be showing on Windows 10. The solution here is to restart the program.

6. Move the desktop folder from OneDrive

  1. Press the Windows key + E to open File Explorer.
  2. Click the OneDrive folder in the left pane.
    onedrive
  3. Now, double-click the Desktop folder and copy its contents.
  4. Finally, select the Desktop option in the left pane and press the Windows key + V to paste them into the folder.
    desktop

Sometimes, your PC might get too clever and move all the contents of the Desktop to OneDrive. This can be why your Desktop icons are not showing on Windows 10. The solution to this is to copy the contents out.

7. Disable the second monitor

  1. Right-click on a free space on your desktop and select Display settings.
  2. Look for the Multiple displays option, click on the drop-down menu, and select Show only on 1, where 1 is your main display.
  3. You may also simply disconnect the second display.

If you’ve used a dual monitor setup before, desktop icons may be set to appear on the second monitor. So, disable the second monitor if you’re not using it, and repeat solution 4.

Your icons should appear again.

8. Perform a system restore

  1. Press the Windows key + R, type rstrui.exe, and click OK.
    rstrui desktop icons not showing
  2. Click the Next button on the window that pops up.
    next
  3. Now, select a restore point and click the Next button.
    restore point desktop icons not showing
  4. Finally, click the Finish button to confirm the action and follow the onscreen instruction.
    finish

If you noticed that the desktop icons are not showing on Windows 10 after making some changes to your PC, you need to restore your device to when everything was working well.

With this, we can conclude this guide on how to fix your desktop icons if they are not showing on Windows 10. All you need to do now is to follow the instructions to the letter, and things should be back to normal.

If your Desktop icons are flashing, you can check our detailed guide dedicated to the issue to fix it quickly.

Feel free to let us know the solution that helped you fix this issue in the comments below.

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