After installing Windows, you may only see the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop. If you are missing the My Computer, This PC, My Network Places, or My Documents icons on the desktop, follow the steps below to display them.

Missing icons in Windows 11

  • Right-click an empty area on the desktop and select Personalize.
  • Click the Themes option on the right side of the Personalization window.
  • Scroll down to the Related settings section and click the Desktop icon settings option.
  • In the Desktop Icon Settings window, select the check boxes next to the icons you want to display.
  • Click Apply, and then Ok.

or

As seen in the example picture, the My Computer icon changed to “Computer” or “This PC,” depending on your Windows version.

  • Windows 11.

  • Windows 10.

  • Windows 8 and Windows 8.1.

  • Windows XP, Vista, and 7.

  • Click the Search magnifying glass icon on the taskbar, type themes and related settings, and press Enter.

  • Scroll down to the Related settings section and click the Desktop icon settings option.

  • In the Desktop Icon Settings window, select the check boxes next to the icons you want to display.

  • Click Apply, and then Ok.

Missing icons in Windows 10

  • Right-click an empty area on the desktop and select Personalize.

  • In the window that opens, click Themes in the left navigation menu.

  • Scroll down and click Desktop icon settings under Related Settings.

  • In the Desktop Icon Settings window, select the check boxes next to the icons you want to display.

  • Click Apply, and then Ok.

If you do not see Themes on the left side of the window, make sure the window is big enough to show all options. Otherwise, skip to the next suggestion.

  • Click Start or press the Windows key.
  • Type themes and related settings and press Enter.
  • Scroll down and click Desktop icon settings under Related Settings.
  • In the Desktop Icon Settings window, select the check boxes next to the icons you want to display.
  • Click Apply, and then Ok.

Missing icons in Windows 8 and 8.1

  • Right-click an empty area on the desktop and select Personalize.
  • In the left navigation pane, click the Themes option.
  • Scroll down to the Related Settings section and click Desktop icon settings.
  • Select the check boxes next to the icons you’d like displayed.
  • Click Apply, and then Ok.

Missing icons in Windows XP, Vista, and 7

  • Right-click an empty area on the desktop and select Personalize.
  • In the window that appears, select Change desktop icons from the menu on the left side.
  • Under Desktop icons, select the check boxes next to the icons you want to display.
  • Click Apply, and then Ok.

“My Documents” is named User’s Files, and “My Network Places” is named Network.

  • How to show or hide desktop shortcut icons.
  • Why am I missing all icons on my Windows desktop?
  • How to remove unused icons from the Windows desktop.
  • See the My Computer and My Documents definitions for further information and related links.
  • Microsoft Windows help and support.