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.

Encompassing solutions that will help you get your icons back

  • 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.

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This can be frustrating but it is not an issue that is unheard of just like the desktop icons are 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 you have. You need to enable these settings to get your icons back.
  • 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. Another option is to perform a system restore if you can’t trace the app causing the issue.

Below are some of the variations of this issue you can expect to fix with the solution in this guide:

  • Desktop icons not showing on main display
  • The Desktop icons not showing on second monitor
  • Desktop icons not showing picture
  • Desktop icons not showing in File Explorer

How do I fix icons not displaying on Windows 10?

1. Rebuild the icon cache

  • Launch File Explorer and click the View tab the top.
  • Check the box for Hidden items to display hidden files and folders.
  • Now, navigate to the path below: C:Users/(User Name)/AppData/Local
  • Right-click on IconCache.db and select Delete.
  • Next, go to the Recycle Bin and empty it.
  • Finally, restart your computer.

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

2. Disable the tablet mode

  • Press the Windows key + I to open Settings and select System.
  • Choose Tablet from the left.
  • Now, click the dropdown under When I sign in and select Never use tablet mode.

One of the factors that make the desktop icons not to show 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.

3. Make sure the Show Desktop icons feature is enabled

  • Right-click on the empty area on your desktop.
  • Choose View > Show desktop icons.
  • Try checking and unchecking Show Desktop icons option a few times but remember to leave this option checked.

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.

4. Run explorer.exe

  • Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open the Task Manager.
  • Right-click the explorer.exe or Windows Explorer process under the Processes tab and select the End task button.
  • Now, click the File option at the top left and click Run new task.
  • Type explorer.exe in the box, and then proceed to click OK.

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

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5. Move the desktop folder from OneDrive

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

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

6. Disable the second monitor

If you’ve used a dual monitor setup before, it’s possible that desktop icons are 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.

7. Perform a system restore

  • Press the Windows key + R, type rstrui.exe, and click OK.
  • Click the Next button on the window that pops up.
  • Now, select a restore point and click the Next button.
  • Finally, click the Finish button to confirm the action and follow the onscreen instruction.

If you started noticing 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.

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With this, we can conclude this guide on how 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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