Windows 11 uses a clean desktop design with a limited number of system icons shown by default. For many users, this is convenient, but you may want to add icons such as This PC, Recycle Bin, Network, or your user folder to the desktop for quicker access.
You can also change the appearance of individual desktop shortcuts by replacing their icons with different images. Windows 11 provides built-in icons, and you can also use compatible .ico files downloaded from trusted sources.
The process is straightforward and does not require third-party software. You can control which standard system icons appear on the desktop and customize individual shortcut icons separately.
Method 1: Show System Icons on the Desktop
Windows 11 allows you to choose which standard system icons should appear on your desktop.
Follow these steps:
- Right-click an empty area of the desktop.
- Select Personalize.
- Click Themes.
- Scroll down and select Desktop icon settings.
- The Desktop Icon Settings window will open.
- Look under Desktop icons.
- Check the icons you want to display.
- Available options may include:
- Computer
- User’s Files
- Network
- Recycle Bin
- Control Panel
- Click Apply.
- Click OK.
The selected icons will now appear on the desktop.
If you later decide that you do not need one of these icons, return to the same window and clear its checkbox.
This is the easiest way to restore familiar Windows icons that may not be visible on a newly configured Windows 11 desktop.
Method 2: Change the Icon for a Desktop Shortcut
You can replace the icon of many desktop shortcuts with another icon.
To change a shortcut’s icon:
- Locate the shortcut on your desktop.
- Right-click it.
- Select Properties.
- Open the Shortcut tab.
- Click Change Icon.
- Choose one of the available icons.
- Select the icon you want to use.
- Click OK.
- Click Apply.
- Click OK again.
The shortcut should now display the new icon.
This is useful if several shortcuts look similar and you want to make them easier to identify.
Keep in mind that not every desktop icon behaves like a normal shortcut. Standard system icons such as Recycle Bin and This PC are managed through the Desktop Icon Settings window rather than the regular Shortcut properties interface.
Method 3: Use a Custom ICO File
Windows 11 allows you to use your own icon files for compatible shortcuts. The most convenient format is generally the .ico format.
First, obtain a suitable icon file from a trusted source or create one yourself.
Then follow these steps:
- Right-click the desktop shortcut.
- Select Properties.
- Click the Shortcut tab.
- Select Change Icon.
- Click Browse.
- Navigate to the folder containing your
.icofile. - Select the icon.
- Click Open.
- Select the icon in the available list.
- Click OK.
- Click Apply.
- Click OK.
The shortcut should now use your custom icon.
Keep the icon file in a location where it will not accidentally be deleted or moved. If Windows cannot find the file later, the shortcut may revert to its previous icon or display a missing icon.
Method 4: Restore the Default Desktop Icon
If you changed an icon and want to return to the original appearance, you can restore its default icon.
For a regular shortcut:
- Right-click the shortcut.
- Select Properties.
- Open the Shortcut tab.
- Click Change Icon.
- Select the original icon from the available choices.
- Click OK.
- Click Apply.
- Click OK.
If you customized a standard Windows desktop icon, use the Desktop Icon Settings window instead.
- Right-click the desktop.
- Select Personalize.
- Open Themes.
- Select Desktop icon settings.
- Select the system icon.
- Click Restore Default.
- Click Apply.
- Click OK.
Windows will restore the standard icon associated with that system item.
Method 5: Change Desktop Icon Size
Windows 11 also lets you change how large desktop icons appear. This does not replace the icon itself, but it can make the desktop easier to use.
To quickly change icon size:
- Right-click an empty area of the desktop.
- Select View.
- Choose one of the available sizes:
- Large icons
- Medium icons
- Small icons
Windows will immediately resize the desktop icons.
You can also use the mouse wheel while holding Ctrl:
- Click an empty area of the desktop.
- Hold down Ctrl.
- Scroll the mouse wheel up to make icons larger.
- Scroll the mouse wheel down to make icons smaller.
This provides a quick way to fine-tune desktop icon size.
If you have many shortcuts on the desktop, smaller icons can provide more space. Larger icons may be more convenient if you have difficulty identifying small symbols.
Method 6: Hide or Show All Desktop Icons
If you want a completely clean desktop, Windows 11 allows you to hide all desktop icons without deleting the shortcuts.
Follow these steps:
- Right-click an empty area of the desktop.
- Select View.
- Find Show desktop icons.
- Click it to remove the check mark.
All desktop icons will disappear.
To display them again:
- Right-click an empty area of the desktop.
- Select View.
- Click Show desktop icons.
Your shortcuts and system icons will reappear.
This option is useful if you want to temporarily hide everything from the desktop while keeping the files and shortcuts intact.
Method 7: Fix Desktop Icons That Do Not Update
Sometimes a desktop icon does not immediately change after you customize it. This can happen because Windows has not refreshed the desktop icon cache.
Try these steps:
- Right-click an empty area of the desktop.
- Select Refresh.
- Check whether the icon has changed.
If that does not work:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Find Windows Explorer in the process list.
- Right-click Windows Explorer.
- Select Restart.
- Wait for the desktop to reload.
You can also restart Windows if the icon still does not update.
If you used a custom .ico file, make sure the file still exists in its original location. Moving or deleting the icon file can prevent Windows from displaying it correctly.
Conclusion
Changing desktop icons in Windows 11 is a simple way to personalize your computer and make frequently used items easier to access. You can add standard system icons such as Recycle Bin, Network, and Control Panel through Desktop Icon Settings, or customize individual shortcuts using the Change Icon option.
Windows also lets you change desktop icon sizes, temporarily hide all icons, and use custom .ico files for compatible shortcuts. If an icon does not update immediately, refreshing the desktop or restarting Windows Explorer can usually help.
Because desktop icon customization is built directly into Windows 11, you generally do not need additional software to manage your icons.
FAQs
1. How do I add This PC to the Windows 11 desktop?
Right-click the desktop and select Personalize > Themes > Desktop icon settings. Enable the option for Computer/This PC, then click Apply and OK.
2. Can I use a custom picture as a desktop icon?
Yes. For compatible shortcuts, use a suitable .ico file. Right-click the shortcut, select Properties > Shortcut > Change Icon > Browse, and select the icon file.
3. How do I make desktop icons bigger in Windows 11?
Right-click an empty area of the desktop, select View, and choose Large icons. You can also hold Ctrl while scrolling the mouse wheel to adjust the icon size.
4. How do I restore the original desktop icons?
For system icons, open Desktop icon settings through Settings > Personalization > Themes and use Restore Default. For regular shortcuts, open Properties > Shortcut > Change Icon and select the original icon.
Quick Summary
- Use Desktop icon settings to show or hide standard Windows icons.
- Use Properties > Shortcut > Change Icon to customize compatible shortcuts.
- You can use
.icofiles for custom shortcut icons. - Change icon size from Desktop > View or temporarily hide all icons when needed.