Windows 10 includes several useful system icons that are not always displayed on the desktop by default. Icons such as This PC, Recycle Bin, Network, Control Panel, and your user profile folder can make common Windows features easier to access.
If you have recently installed Windows 10, changed your desktop settings, or accidentally removed a system icon, you can restore these icons through the Personalization settings. You can also create shortcuts for frequently used applications, folders, and files when the standard desktop icons are not enough.
The process is simple and does not require third-party software. Windows provides built-in options for choosing which system icons appear on the desktop and for creating additional shortcuts.
Method 1: Add System Icons From Desktop Settings
Windows 10 provides a dedicated Desktop Icon Settings window where you can choose the standard system icons.
- Right-click an empty area of the desktop.
- Select Personalize.
- Select Themes from the left side.
- Scroll down and select Desktop icon settings.
- The Desktop Icon Settings window will open.
- Select the icons you want to display.
- You can choose from options such as:
- Computer
- User’s Files
- Network
- Recycle Bin
- Control Panel
- Select Apply.
- Select OK.
The selected icons should immediately appear on the desktop.
For example, selecting Computer adds the familiar This PC icon, while selecting Control Panel provides direct access to the traditional Windows configuration interface.
Method 2: Add This PC to the Desktop
If you specifically want to add This PC to the desktop, you can use the Desktop Icon Settings window.
- Right-click the desktop.
- Select Personalize.
- Select Themes.
- Select Desktop icon settings.
- Check Computer.
- Select Apply.
- Select OK.
The This PC icon will now be available on the desktop.
You can double-click it to access your drives, connected storage devices, and common Windows folders.
This is particularly useful if you frequently access File Explorer and prefer having a direct desktop shortcut.
Method 3: Add Control Panel to the Desktop
Although Windows 10 provides the Settings application, the traditional Control Panel is still useful for accessing certain configuration options.
To add it to your desktop:
- Right-click an empty area of the desktop.
- Select Personalize.
- Select Themes.
- Select Desktop icon settings.
- Check Control Panel.
- Select Apply.
- Select OK.
A Control Panel icon will now appear on the desktop.
You can open it whenever you need access to traditional Windows settings.
Method 4: Add Recycle Bin to the Desktop
Recycle Bin is normally displayed on the Windows desktop, but it can be hidden accidentally or through a personalization setting.
To restore it:
- Right-click the desktop.
- Select Personalize.
- Select Themes.
- Select Desktop icon settings.
- Check Recycle Bin.
- Select Apply.
- Select OK.
The Recycle Bin icon should return to the desktop.
You can then open it to restore deleted files or permanently remove them.
Method 5: Add Network and User Files Icons
The same Desktop Icon Settings window can be used to add other commonly used Windows icons.
Open:
Right-click desktop > Personalize > Themes > Desktop icon settings
From there, select the icons you want.
For example, you can enable:
- Network
- User’s Files
- Computer
- Control Panel
- Recycle Bin
Select Apply and then OK.
The selected icons will appear on the desktop.
If you do not need one of these icons later, return to the same window and clear its checkbox.
Method 6: Create a Desktop Shortcut for an Application
The standard system icons are useful, but you can also add shortcuts for applications you use frequently.
One simple way is to find the application in the Start menu.
- Select Start.
- Find the application.
- Right-click the application.
- Select More if available.
- Look for the option to open the file location.
- In the folder that opens, right-click the application shortcut.
- Select Send to > Desktop (create shortcut).
Windows will create a shortcut on the desktop.
You can use this method for frequently used applications when you want faster access without opening the Start menu every time.
Method 7: Create a Desktop Shortcut for a File or Folder
You can create shortcuts for frequently accessed files and folders directly from File Explorer.
- Open File Explorer.
- Find the file or folder.
- Right-click it.
- Select Show more options if necessary.
- Select Send to.
- Select Desktop (create shortcut).
A shortcut will appear on the desktop.
The original file or folder remains in its existing location. Deleting the shortcut does not normally delete the original item.
This is useful for folders that you access regularly but do not want to move to the desktop.
Method 8: Show Desktop Icons If They Are All Hidden
Sometimes the icons are configured correctly but all desktop icons are hidden.
To check this setting:
- Right-click an empty area of the desktop.
- Select View.
- Look for Show desktop icons.
- Make sure it is checked.
If Show desktop icons is unchecked, Windows hides all icons from the desktop.
Click Show desktop icons to enable them again.
This setting is different from the individual Desktop Icon Settings. Even if This PC, Recycle Bin, and other icons are selected in Desktop Icon Settings, they will not be visible if Windows is configured to hide all desktop icons.
How to Remove a System Icon From the Desktop
If you have too many icons on your desktop, you can remove individual system icons without uninstalling anything.
- Right-click the desktop.
- Select Personalize.
- Select Themes.
- Select Desktop icon settings.
- Clear the checkbox for the icon you no longer want.
- Select Apply.
- Select OK.
The selected icon will disappear from the desktop.
This only removes the desktop shortcut. It does not remove the associated Windows feature.
How to Change Desktop Icon Size
Windows 10 also lets you change the size of desktop icons.
- Right-click an empty area of the desktop.
- Select View.
- Choose one of the available sizes:
- Large icons
- Medium icons
- Small icons
You can choose the size that works best for your display.
You can also hold Ctrl while scrolling the mouse wheel over the desktop to adjust icon size more precisely.
How to Arrange Desktop Icons
If your desktop icons are scattered or difficult to organize, Windows provides built-in arrangement options.
- Right-click the desktop.
- Select View.
- Choose Auto arrange icons if you want Windows to organize them automatically.
- You can also enable Align icons to grid.
If you prefer to position icons manually, leave Auto arrange icons disabled.
Conclusion
Adding commonly used icons to the Windows 10 desktop is a simple way to make frequently accessed Windows features easier to reach. The built-in Desktop Icon Settings window lets you restore or add system icons such as This PC, Recycle Bin, Network, User’s Files, and Control Panel.
You can access this feature through Personalize > Themes > Desktop icon settings. Select the icons you want, click Apply, and then click OK.
Windows also lets you create desktop shortcuts for applications, files, and folders. These shortcuts provide quick access without changing the original location of the files or applications.
If all desktop icons suddenly disappear, check the View > Show desktop icons option first. The icons may simply be hidden rather than removed.
With these built-in options, you can customize the Windows 10 desktop without installing additional software.
FAQs
1. How do I add This PC to the Windows 10 desktop?
Right-click the desktop, select Personalize > Themes > Desktop icon settings, check Computer, and select Apply and OK.
2. How do I add Control Panel to the desktop?
Open Desktop icon settings through Personalize > Themes, check Control Panel, and click Apply.
3. Why are all my desktop icons missing?
Right-click the desktop, select View, and make sure Show desktop icons is enabled.
4. Can I add a folder to the Windows 10 desktop?
Yes. Right-click the folder in File Explorer, choose Send to, and select Desktop (create shortcut).
Quick Summary
- Use Desktop icon settings to add This PC, Recycle Bin, Network, Control Panel, and User’s Files.
- Create shortcuts for frequently used applications, files, and folders.
- Enable View > Show desktop icons if all icons have disappeared.
- Use the View menu to change icon size and organize the desktop.