Why is the desktop not showing?

Windows 10 is Microsofts latest OS, that got lots of exciting features and it also gets over the design flaws of Windows 8. But even after having such a wide range of features, Windows 10 also has to go through several errors and issues.

Here, I am talking about a very common issue that has been seen among Windows 10 users, i.e. Desktop icons not showing on Windows 10. There are several discussions and complaints found regarding this issue on Microsoft and other tech forums.

Users are just done with this issue as it happens on their system very frequently. However, the problem may sound irritating but its solutions are quite easy.

Yes, you heard it right! You can get over this problem with the help of the solution I am going to share with you through this article.

But would you not like to know the reasons behind getting this error on Windows 10? If you want, then read out the next section and then go with the discussed fixes.

What Causes Desktop Icons Missing or Disappeared Issue on Windows 10

Most of the users think that it happens due to the bug inside the Windows 10 Os, but this is not the case. The desktop icons missing issue can happen accidentally or if you have changed the settings on your system unknowingly.

Windows 10 basically has two in-built Modes for its users facilitation and that is Tablet andDesktop. Anyhow, if you have enabled the Tablet mode on your Windows 10 PC, then it will lead you towards the desktop icons disappeared or missing issue.

How to Fix Desktop Icons Not Showing Issue on Windows 10 PC?

Solution 1: Make Sure Desktop Icons Are Not Disabled

The first thing you need to do before applying any solution is to check if the desktop cons are disabled on your computer.

If you have unintentionally disabled this option, thendesktop icons wont showon your system. So, to bring back all the missing desktop icons on Windows 10 computer, you need to check it. To do so, you may follow these steps:

• Go to your desktop and right-click on the blank space.
• Select theViewoption from the context menu.
• Check if the Show desktop icons option is selected or not. If it is not selected, then select it.

• Now, check if thedesktop icon missing from the Windows 10 computergets back or not.

Solution 2: Restart the Windows Explorer

The desktop icons of the Windows computer are a part of the explorer.exe process. If there is any issue with this process, then it may cause the desktop icons not showing on Windows 10.

However, it can be easily fixed by restarting the explorer.exe process. You can restart Windows Explorer using the given steps:

• Press theCtrl + Alt + Esckeys together to open the Task Manager.
• In theTask Manager, click on theProcessestab.
• Select Windows Explorer or explorer.exe from the list of processes and right-click on it.

• Select theEnd taskoption.
• Go to the File menu and click on theRun new task.

• Now, typeexplorer.exein the box and click on theOKbutton.

Solution 3: Check Desktop Icon Settings

It might be possible that your desktop icons are hidden through the settings. Hence, you must follow these instructions to check and enable the desktop icons:

• Right-click on the desktop and select the Personalize option from the context menu list.
• Click on the Themes tab located in the left sidebar of the window.
• Next, click on theDesktop icon settings.

• Now, select the icons you want to show on the desktop.
• Click on the Apply and OK button.

Solution 4: Disable the Tablet Mode

If you are using a computer that has a touch screen, then you must have two-screen modes, the first is Desktop Mode, and the second is Tablet Mode. If your computer is in Tablet mode, then it may cause the absurd desktop icons not showing issue on Windows 10.

So, disable the Tablet mode to resolve the Windows 10 desktop icons missing problem. To do this, follow the given steps:

• Go to the Windows Start button and click on the Settings icon.
• Click on the System and then select the Tablet mode given in the left pane of the window.
• Now, turn off the Tablet mode by pressing the toggle button.

Solution 5: Remove Recently Installed Software

Have you recently installed any software? If yes, then this might be the reason behind the missing desktop icons on the Windows 10 computer. So, if the issue is happening after installing any new software, then uninstalling this particular software can resolve the issue.

• Press the Windows + I keys.
• Select the Apps from the App Settings window.

• Now select the software from the list of installed applications.
• Click on the Uninstall button.

• Follow the on-screen instruction to complete the uninstallation process.
• Restart your computer.

After restarting the computer, check if the desktop icons not showing on Windows 10 computer issue has been resolved or not.

Solution 6: Run SFC Scan to Fix Desktop Icons Not Showing Issue

Corrupted system files often cause several issues on the computer due to which some function doesnt work properly. If there are corrupted system files present on your computer, then it may result in the desktop icons not showing issue.

You can use the Windows in-built tool System File Checker (SFC) to fix the corrupted system files. And repairing the damaged Windows system files will help you to get back the icons on the desktop. So, follow the below-given steps to run the SFC scan:

• Go to the Windows Search box and type cmd.
• Right-click on the Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

• In the Command Prompt window, type this command and press the Enter key:

sfc /scannow

• Now, wait for the SFC utility to complete the scanning process. Once its done, restart your computer.

Best Way to Fix Various Windows PC Errors/Problems

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Conclusion

Your desktop icons can go disappear or missing from your computer due to any reason but this problem can be resolved using the potential solutions.

So, to fix the desktop icons not showing issue, follow the given solutions one after other.

I hope this article helped you to resolve the issue and desktop icons are now visible on your computer. Please do let us know which solution did work for you on Facebook or Twitter.