Icons have disappeared from the desktop or from the taskbar, what should I do in this case? Icons have disappeared from the desktop or from the taskbar, what to do in this case Windows 10 shortcuts are disappearing from the desktop

Recently, users have been faced with the problem of shortcuts disappearing from their desktop. If you came to our site, it means your desktop icons have disappeared and you don’t know why they are not displayed.

In this article we will look at what to do if icons have disappeared from the desktop Windows desktop 10. You will also learn how to hide shortcuts on the Windows 10 desktop in several ways. We will analyze solutions to the problem using Windows 10 as an example, but they will also be relevant on previous operating systems.

The process of returning icons is not at all difficult when you know what to do. To enable desktop icons, open the context menu on the desktop and select the tab View, and then Show desktop icons.

If this option does not help, we try to enable and immediately disable tablet mode, more about which you can read in our article.

Open the notification center, which contains the button to turn tablet mode on and off.
After turning it on, turn it off and see if the icons appear on the desktop. This method can help in very rare cases.

The most serious way is to correct the problem by making changes to the registry. Before doing this, we recommend that you read the article in order to always be able to roll back changes.

Hide desktop shortcuts in Windows 10

Similarly, you can hide shortcuts on the Windows 10 desktop. To hide all shortcuts from unwanted eyes, you can use the same two methods. I don’t think it’s worth going into more detail about how to hide icons, since the process is really not complicated.

In this article, we did not go deep into why shortcuts are not displayed on the desktop, since there can be several reasons, starting from malicious software and ending with no correct setting desktop. We just looked at how to fix the situation when shortcuts disappeared from the desktop in Windows 10.

If all the icons have disappeared from your desktop unknown reason, then most likely this is not a virus or some kind of system failure - they are simply hidden or a display mode is configured such as tablet mode. This is more relevant for Windows 8 and 10.

Most easy way, which is worth checking first - right-click on a free field of the desktop to bring up the menu. There you need to choose View, and check the box opposite - Show desktop icons. This way you simply activate their display.

If this checkbox is checked, but there are still no icons, you can try to create a folder or text document on the table, select in the same menu Create. Perhaps after such actions other icons will return to their place.

If the document or folder you created shows up but the rest of the icons haven't returned, then they were probably just deleted by another user PC manually. In this case, they will have to be created again.

Another the simplest way – try rebooting by holding down the power button, and not through the Start menu. The next time you turn it on, the icons should be restored.

The next method is disable/enable tablet mode. To do this, click the message icon in the lower right corner and select “All options.”

In the settings window, go to the " System", where we find the item " Tablet mode».

Select when logging in - use the appropriate mode for the equipment, then move the slider responsible for hiding application icons to the off position.

If only system icons are missing, the snap-in " Personalization" in the window "".

Menu item " Topics»—desktop icon settings.

We check the boxes next to the icons that we need.

The next method is start the console on behalf of the administrator. Run the following commands:

After quite a long process of checking to fix system files – restart your computer. The crash associated with the lack of icons on the desktop can be resolved.

If the above methods do not eliminate the problem, then the reasons may be more serious, including affecting the system malware.

If not only the icons have disappeared, but also the taskbar and the Start button, that is, a completely empty desktop - it’s possible exp process completedlorer. exe.

To launch it, you need to open the task manager (combination Ctrl+Alt+Del). Next “File” - launch a new task.

In the task creation window, enter " explorer. exe", confirm by pressing OK, check the box " Create a task with administrator rights" Restart your PC after this.

If this process does not start, then most likely it was deleted by a virus.

Conduct a full system scan for viruses with a reliable antivirus.

If you have the automatic periodically creating points recovery, then good decision will roll back the system to a period of full functionality, when there were no problems with icons and icons. Or restore the system image if you have performed a backup in the recent past.

Icons that have disappeared from the Windows 10 taskbar and desktop can be quickly returned. Sometimes you can get by with a simple reboot; in extreme cases, you will have to restart the file responsible for displaying the graphical shell.

Returning icons to the desktop

If shortcuts have disappeared on Windows 10, then first of all make sure that their display is turned on in the system.

If the checkbox is checked, but shortcuts are not shown on Windows 10, then try unchecking the box and then re-checking it. In addition, shortcuts that have disappeared from the Windows 10 desktop can be returned using simple manipulations in the settings.

If desktop icons have disappeared on a laptop with installed Windows 10, then to get them back, you can try turning off the laptop with the power button, and not through “Shutdown” in the “Start” menu. After turning on, the shortcuts should be in their places again.

Restoring the taskbar

If icons have disappeared from the Windows 10 taskbar, there are two ways to get them back:

Perform a system restore to the moment when the icons were displayed normally.
Change Windows settings 10.

The second option is preferable, since Windows recovery All actions performed after the creation date of the checkpoint you are rolling back to will be undone. Therefore, let's see how to return icons in Windows 10 settings.

If this method does not help restore shortcuts and icons, then try restarting the explorer.exe file to redisplay the Windows graphical shell.

Restart explorer.exe

Sometimes the disappearance of icons from the notification panel and desktop is due to incorrect work system file explorer.exe, the purpose of which is to display the Windows 10 shell. You can fix the problem by simply restarting the file:

As a result of restarting the file, the desktop and taskbar will be displayed with all elements. If the error appears again the next time you turn on your computer, check the system for viruses: malware may be preventing the explorer.exe file from starting on its own.

Sometimes Windows 10 clients encounter a problem: they turn on the computer, but their “Desktop” does not have certain icons that they need to work. Why might this happen? What to do in such a situation? Let's look at today how to return the necessary icons and get quick access to services and programs.

Why do icons disappear from the Windows 10 desktop?

Before you solve the problem with icons suddenly disappearing in Windows 10, you need to consider why this could happen. There are several explanations:

Virus infection. They are capable of making changes to system settings, thereby removing icons. In this regard, before returning the icons to the “Desktop” you need to scan hard drives PC for malware using an antivirus, so that after restoring the icons, the situation does not repeat itself.
System failure. This could be a single bug. In this case, you just need to manually return all the icons.
Off system process explorer.
Activated "Tablet Mode". To return the usual icons, you need to disable this mode.
Installation Windows updates with errors. If the icons disappeared immediately after updating the system, the update may have been installed incorrectly. In this case, add the shortcuts again manually.
Incorrect disconnection of the second monitor.

Putting the icons back on the “Desktop”

You can correct the situation in several ways: by eliminating the cause itself using the “Task Manager” and “Registry Editor” or by returning the necessary icons manually.

Using context menu options

Utility icons can be removed from the Desktop on their own if their display is disabled. To turn the feature back on, do the following:

If this method does not help, recreate the program icons manually using another option context menu:

Again, right-click on the free field on the “Desktop”.
In the list, click on “Create”. Now click on “Shortcut”.
Click on the “Shortcut” item to create a shortcut for a specific program
In the new window, click on “Browse” to “ Windows Explorer" choose required file programs.
Click on the Browse button to select the application in Windows Explorer
As a rule, all utilities are stored on system disk in the Program Files folder. We find the right application, for example, Skype. Open the messenger folder and look for the Skype.exe file, which launches the utility. Click on OK.
Select the program file whose shortcut you want to see on your “Desktop”
Now click on “Next” in the main window.
Click on the "Next" button to continue the shortcut creation procedure
We print the new shortcut name or leave the standard file name. Click on “Finish”.
Enter the name of the shortcut and click on “Done”

Restore default icons in Settings

If you have lost classic Windows icons on your home screen, such as the Recycle Bin or My Computer, you can quickly restore them. Just use the following instructions:

First, click on the icon-free area on the main page Windows screen right mouse button to bring up the context menu you are already familiar with.
Select "Personalization" in the context menu of the "Desktop"
In the list of options and sections, click on the last item “Personalization”.
In the large window, go directly to the “Themes” tab.
Now let's turn our attention to the right column with links in the window. Click on “Desktop Icon Settings”.
Click on the “Desktop Icon Settings” link
A small window will open on top of the main one. In it, put a checkmark to the left of the shortcuts that you want to see on your “Desktop”. You can install “My Computer”, “Control Panel”, “Trash” and some others.
Mark the icons you need and click on “Apply”
After that, click on “Apply” and then on OK to close additional window. The marked icons will immediately appear on your desktop.

Video: how to replace standard Windows shortcuts

Fixing the registry to restore the “Desktop”

The sudden disappearance of icons from the “Desktop” can be caused by errors in the registry - database operating system, which the latter constantly accesses during operation. It stores all system settings, utilities, connected equipment (printers, headphones, etc.), so it is very important that the registry works correctly. What to do if the reason is an error in the registry?

On the keyboard, press the Win + R key combination, which will bring up a small “Run” window. In it we enter the word regedit.
Enter the command regedit in the "Open" field
The Registry Editor window will open. Before further manipulations, you need to create backup copy registry in case of incorrect editing. To do this, click on the “File” object in the top panel, and then on the “Export” option.
Click on "Export" in the "File" menu
We print the name and save it in any folder convenient for you or even on the “Desktop”. This file will help restore the registry to its previous state. To do this, you just need to launch it by double-clicking the mouse.
Save a backup copy of the registry in any convenient location
In the left part of the window, open the third main branch HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
Open the third main folder HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE on the left side of the window
Now we sequentially launch the following folders: Software - Microsoft - WindowsNT - CurrentVersion - Winlogon.
In the Winlogon folder, look for the Shell entry
On the right side of the window, look for a registry entry called Shell. We launch it by double-clicking and see what value this parameter has. It should be explorer.exe. If there is another one, we change it immediately.
The Shell parameter must be set to explorer.exe
Another parameter in the Userinit list should be C:\Windows\system32\userinit.exe.
The Userinit parameter should be set to C:\Windows\system32\userinit.exe
After changing the values of these two parameters, a black screen may appear. Don't worry, it will disappear in a few seconds.

Restoring icons through Task Manager

The service process explorer.exe or “Explorer” is responsible for the graphical design of Windows. Icons may suddenly disappear from the “Desktop” due to the fact that it is not working correctly or is not running at all. In the first case, it must be restarted. How to do this?

In Windows 10, launching the “Task Manager” is very simple: right-click on the “Taskbar” and select the desired item in the context menu. Open the "Task Manager" through the context menu of the "Taskbar"
In the first “Processes” section, carefully look for the “Explorer” item in the list. Select it with the left mouse button, and then click on the “Restart” button located at the bottom of the window.
Select “Explorer” in the “Processes” tab and click “Restart”
If you do not find this process in the list, click on “File” in the top panel and select the first item “Run a new task”.
In the “File” menu, click on “Run a new task”
In a new small window, in a single field, type explorer.exe or explorer. Click OK for the created task to run.
Enter the command explorer.exe in the "Open" field
The same launch command can be sent to the system in another way: using the Run window. Press the Win + R combination on your keyboard. Write one of the two commands and click OK.

Turning off tablet mode

Icons do not appear on the “Desktop” if you have “Tablet Mode” activated. How can I turn it off and prevent the system from turning it on on its own?

First, you need to make sure that “Tablet Mode” is not activated on your PC. To do this, hold down the Win and A (Latin) keys. An area with notifications and tiles will appear on the right side of the screen. The very first one will be “Tablet Mode”. If it is active (saturated color as opposed to disabled), click on it once with the left mouse button. It will immediately dim and the screen will return to the “Desktop” mode.
After all the manipulations, you need to turn on the “Start” system menu and click on the gear-shaped icon, which is located directly above the device’s power off button. This action will open the window " Windows Settings». Click the gear icon in the Start menu to open Windows Settings
Launch the first section “System” with one click.
Open the first section “System”
In the first drop-down menu, select “Use desktop mode” as the value, and in the second, “Always ask for permission before switching mode.”
In the first drop-down menu, select "Use Desktop Mode"
Move the two sliders to the “On” position and then to the “Off” position again.

Turning off the PC using the button on the laptop

A non-standard way to get the icons back is to turn off the device using the power button, rather than through the system Start menu. To do this, you need to close all utility windows and hold down the button. After turning on the computer, the shortcuts should appear on the “Desktop” again.

Scan explorer.exe file

Icons can be removed from the “Desktop” on their own if the explorer.exe file, which is responsible for the window file, is damaged. Windows interface 10. What can be done in this case? You need to scan the file using special commands:

Video: several methods for restoring desktop icons

System rollback

One of the most effective ways to return icons is to restore the system to its previous state, when all the necessary icons were still on the “Desktop”. This method will help you if all the others fail and you don't want to return them manually. Use the following instructions:

Click on the magnifying glass icon on the “Taskbar” located next to the “Start” button. We print the request “Control Panel”. As you type, the system will display expected search results. Left-click on the item with the corresponding name. Open Control Panel using Windows Search
Find the search bar at the top and enter the query “Recovery”. In the results, run the section with this name.
Open the "Recovery" section in the "Control Panel"
Now you need to click on the second option “Run System Restore”.
Click on the second item “Run System Restore”
The recovery wizard window will appear on the screen. Read the information and simply click on the “Next” button in the lower right corner of the window.
In the wizard window, click “Next”
In the list of recovery points, select the desired one with the left mouse button. Click on “Next” again. The “Search for affected programs” button allows you to find out which utilities and drivers will be removed and which will be restored
Click on “Finish” so that the system starts the recovery process - rolling back to the time when the shortcuts were still on the “Desktop”.
Click “Finish” to start the recovery process

Video: how to roll back the system using a restore point

Restoring icons on the “Taskbar”

You can put back the necessary icons on the “Taskbar” using several methods. In particular, by restarting the “Explorer” process in the “Task Manager” and by rolling back the system through a restore point. Detailed instructions These methods were described in the “Restoring icons through the Task Manager” and “System Rollback” sections of this article.

You also have the right to manually install the same icons on the “Taskbar” yourself. To do this, do the following:

Right-click on a field free of shortcuts on the “Desktop”. From the list we select the most last point"Personalization".
Now let's switch directly to last tab"Taskbar". Scroll down the page to the link “Select the icons displayed in the taskbar.” We click on it.
Click on the link “Choose the icons that appear on the taskbar”
Using switches we add or remove system icons and utility icons. As you enable certain icons, you will immediately see that they appear on the “Taskbar”.
Use the switches to activate the icons you need on the “Taskbar”
Click the back arrow to return to the main tab. Now click on the second link “Turn system icons on and off.” Here you can configure the display standard icons Windows on the “Taskbar”: power, touch keyboard, network, volume, etc. Turn on the icons you need and close the Windows settings window.
Enable the system icons you need
If the first list did not contain the program that you want to return to the “Taskbar”, drag its shortcut from the “Desktop”: to do this, hold down the icon with the left mouse button and drag it to the panel.
Drag the program shortcut from the “Desktop” to the “Taskbar” with the mouse
When the icon is within the panel, release the mouse button - the icon will be fixed.
The Skype shortcut is stuck on the taskbar

If you turned on “Tablet Mode” and all the icons from the “Taskbar” disappeared, this means that you have enabled the “Hide application icons” option in the “Taskbar” tab in the “Windows Settings” window. Find it and disable it using the instructions in the “Turning off mode” section. tablet computer" of this article.

If you suddenly lose the icons you need on your Desktop and Taskbar, first check to see if you have malware on your PC. To do this, use your updated antivirus. You can get the icons back by creating new shortcuts through the context menu options and changing the settings in the Windows Settings window. “Registry Editor” and “Task Manager” will also come to the rescue, in which you can restart the “Explorer” process, which is responsible for GUI Windows and icon display.

Showing or hiding desktop icons is quite simple in Windows 10. You just need to right-click on the desktop, click " View" and then select "Show desktop icons", to show/hide shortcuts on the desktop. Sometimes you may not see shortcuts and other files on your desktop even if your desktop is set to show icons. If you have lost shortcuts from your Windows 10 desktop, then you can try a few solutions below.

Check your desktop icon display settings

Right-click on the desktop. Click View And Show desktop icons. If this parameter is in order and the shortcuts do not appear, then proceed further.

Automatic icon customization

This method is suitable if, after disconnecting from the external monitor, shortcuts on the desktop no longer appear. This option does nothing but puts back missing shortcuts that were previously out of view of the screen.

Right click on desktop, select View, then click on .

Turn off tablet mode

When is your Windows device 10 is in tablet mode, you can't see your desktop shortcuts. Therefore, you need to disable tablet mode.

Open All parameters > System > Tablet mode and on the right select in the line " When you log in" Use desktop mode.
Restart your computer and if the shortcuts do not appear on the desktop, then right-click on the desktop, select "View", and then "Show desktop icons".

Restore Windows 10 to a previous date

If the desktop shortcuts were visible a few days ago, then you can try restoring Windows 10 to an earlier date. Refer to my guide on how.

Create a new user account

If you can't live without desktop icons, you can create a new one account user. Refer to further guidance on how to.