Share via

Disappearing icons

Anonymous
2025-05-10T02:20:36+00:00

After the most recent updatesomething has been going on with my computer. The desktop icons have disappeared. I've reset my computer a couple times and shut down then powered on and the icons return but after I've used my computer for a bitI find that the icons have disappeared again. For whatever reasonthe icons just refuse to stay and will always disappear after sometime. I don't know why.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Windows update

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpfulbut you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

2 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Udit Tanwar 3,375 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-05-10T12:02:41+00:00

    I’d appreciate it if you could share your thoughts on the guidance I provided—did it resolve the issuesand is there anything else I can assist with?

    Looking forward to your feedback!

    Best regards,

    Udit

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Udit Tanwar 3,375 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-05-10T06:23:38+00:00

    Hello

    Thank you so much for reaching outI am Udit an independent advisorand I am glad to assist you today with this issue.

    It’s good that you’ve already tried restarting and shutting down your computerthat helps rule out some temporary glitches. Since the issue keeps returningit’s likely related to either a system settinga corrupted fileor the update itself. Here are a few steps you can try to get things back to normal:

    Step 1: Check if desktop icons are simply hidden

    Right-click anywhere on your desktopgo to the "View" menuand make sure "Show desktop icons" is checked. Sometimes this gets turned off by accident.

    Step 2: Restart Windows Explorer

    Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Find "Windows Explorer" in the listright-click itand choose "Restart." This refreshes your desktop environment and can often fix issues like this temporarily.

    Step 3: Turn off Tablet Mode (if it’s on)

    Go to Settings > System > Tablet. If Tablet Mode is enabledswitch it off. This mode is designed for touchscreens and can hide desktop icons.

    Step 4: Run a System File Checker scan

    Right-click the Start button and choose "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows Terminal (Admin)." Then type the following and press Enter:

    sfc /scannow

    This will check for and repair any corrupted system files that may be affecting your desktop.

    Step 5: Review your startup programs

    In Task Managergo to the "Startup" tab. Disable anything unnecessary or unfamiliar that might be interfering with your desktop. Restart your computer after doing this.

    Step 6: Consider uninstalling the latest update

    If the issue started right after a Windows updatego to Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates. Look for the most recent update and try uninstalling it to see if the issue goes away.

    Step 7: Try a new user profile

    Sometimes a specific user account can have corrupted settings. You can create a new account by going to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > Add someone else to this PC. Sign into that new account and see if the problem persists there.

    Let me know how it goesor if you’d like help with any of these steps. I’m here to support you through this.

    Regards

    Udit

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments