Windows 10 OS is full of mysteries for most of its users. Despite the fact that it appeared more than a year ago, questions about its use remain to this day. Among them is the problem with the lack of shortcuts from the desktop. Dealing with this situation on your own is somewhat problematic. This article will discuss what to do if icons from Windows 10 have disappeared.
The disappearance of shortcuts on a personal computer may be due to several reasons:
The display setting in system properties is disabled;
Virus software has appeared on the hard drive that disrupts the operation of the system;
The mode for using a laptop or personal computer as a tablet is activated.
It cannot be ruled out that icons disappeared from the Windows 10 desktop for a number of other reasons. However, the above circumstances most often lead to the fact that the user is not able to launch programs on the computer through shortcuts.
Checking shortcut display settings
Hiding icons in the workspace can be initiated by the user. For example, if you need to hide everything that is located in a given zone. You can check which mode is activated on your computer quite simply. You need to click on the workspace space and select “View”. There are several settings here that allow you to manage the content. Among them is the “Show icons” option. If the box next to it is checked, then program shortcuts and other files should be displayed on the desktop. This setting allows you to display or hide all the data that was placed here.
In case this checkbox is missing, then it is not surprising why the icons are missing from the Windows 10 desktop. There is a way to check whether the missing shortcuts are due to this setting or not. Just open Explorer and select “Desktop” on the left side. If the icons appear in the window, then you really just need to enable the display setting.
Deactivating tablet mode
The lack of icons on the desktop may be due to the fact that the device is in tablet mode. To check whether the current problem is related to this setting, you should go to the Notification Center. This section is located in the lower right part of the screen (on Then you need to select the “All settings” settings block). This section contains tools for managing the operating system.
After selecting the “System” section, a list of options will be displayed on the left side of the screen, including “Tablet Mode”. To deactivate it, set the slider to the “disabled” state (here this is needed for the very first setting “Additional Windows touch capabilities when using the device as a tablet”). If all actions are carried out correctly, then you will no longer have to think about why icons disappeared from the Windows 10 desktop.
Force a call to an explorer session
If the system has problems with the work of the explorer, then it is not surprising that icons have disappeared from the desktop; its work can be done forcibly. This can be done by simply restarting the computer or through a tool such as Task Manager. If everything is clear with the first method, then the second requires explanation.
You can open the manager by clicking on the taskbar and selecting the appropriate item. In the form that appears, execute the “File” command and initiate the creation of a new task. In the “Open” field you need to enter a name and confirm the entry with the “OK” button. After completing these steps, an explorer window will open, which is also responsible for the presence of shortcuts on the user’s desktop.
Refresh desktop
Sometimes the lack of shortcuts can be due to a system glitch. To eliminate this reason, you can try either updating the desktop using the context menu command of the same name, or adding a new object in the free area (for example, a folder, document, etc.). If the newly formed object is displayed, then perhaps someone was just playing a joke and removed all the shortcuts, causing the user to get pretty worried.
Checking your computer for viruses and malware
If icons have disappeared from the Windows 10 desktop and it was not possible to get them to display using the above methods, then it makes sense to check the system for malware. This can be done using the antivirus program you are using, which is already present on the PC, or using a third-party utility. It is possible that the lack of icons was the result of malware disrupting the systems.
Another universal method is to use the recovery tool built into the operating system. With its help, you can return your desktop to its previous state. These tools are accessed through the “Start” menu, “All Programs” section. In the list you should find “Standard”, and then “Service”. Of course, such a “rollback” of the system will overwrite some of the settings that were made during the period from the moment the restore point was created to the current moment.
Conclusion
Do not despair if icons have disappeared from the Windows 10 desktop. We discussed earlier in this article how to get them back, as well as other files and documents that were on it. Typically, one of the above methods can help resolve this situation. The absence of icons in the work area is often due to the fact that the user himself, without noticing it, turns off their display.
This may also be due to viruses and other malicious programs that can penetrate the computer via the Internet or external equipment (disks, flash drives, mobile devices). Before taking drastic measures (such as system recovery), you should use the previously discussed tips to understand why all the icons disappeared from the Windows 10 desktop.
Quite often, Windows 10 users encounter such a problem as icons disappearing from the computer’s home screen. This situation usually occurs as a result of the next system update, system failures and other unknown reasons, for example, after rebooting the PC.
Microsoft representatives could not name the exact cause of the problem and can only recommend several effective ways to solve it. We will try to consider all the options in as much detail as possible and help you return your desktop to its previous state.
Icon visualization
If desktop icons have disappeared on your computer after updating Windows 10 or a normal reboot, then most likely the system settings have gone wrong. They should be checked first and changed if necessary. It is possible that icon visualization is simply turned off in the settings.
To check this you need:
If the checkbox is checked, try removing it and checking it again. In order for the desktop to change according to the settings, update it using the “Refresh” context menu or the F5 key.
Creating a new element
If the first method does not help, then you can restore the desktop by creating a new element. This helps in cases where the cause is a system glitch.
To do this we do the following:
In some situations, this fairly simple algorithm can quickly fix the problem. If this does not help and the shortcuts are still not displayed, then the object we created needs to be deleted and proceed to the next step.
Settings failed
The new menu that appeared in Windows 10 has a huge number of settings, many of which even an experienced user may not know about. And one of them is a special “tablet mode” - full-screen mode, most likely all your files from the desktop disappeared precisely because of it, and quick access tiles appeared instead. Usually it turns on automatically, for example, after upgrading from an older Windows 7/8 to 10tk.
Disabling this mode is quite simple:
After this, its state should return to its previous state and your PC will be ready for full operation again.
Desktop completely disappeared on Windows 10
Also, icons (icons, shortcuts) may disappear from the desktop as a result of various system failures, one of which makes itself felt after an incorrect shutdown of Windows 10. This usually happens after the light blinks, when the computer suddenly turns off. As a result, some system settings may change.
All you need to do is change them back:
This way, you will return the desktop to its previous state, with all the missing icons and shortcuts.
Incorrect conductor operation
Most people who still use old Windows XP are familiar with this method and some of them have probably tried it before. If before this “Explorer” constantly had to be restarted due to the invasion of viruses, today such a scenario is less likely, but still has a right to exist.
Let's solve this problem and get our missing desktop back:
This way, you can launch Explorer, which was turned off for some reason, and restore the familiar classic desktop on your laptop.
File "explorer.exe"
If a message appears that the file was not found or the tool is unavailable, then it’s time to scan the operating system for viruses and make sure that the file that is responsible for the Windows 10 window interface is not damaged.
The action plan is as follows:
If this does not help restore shortcuts (icons) on the desktop, be sure to try the following:
I would like to pay special attention to the first point, which is why we will analyze it in detail below.
Registry errors
If you have reached this point, it means that the previous methods did not help you, and this in turn indicates that your desktop has disappeared due to errors in the registry. First, let's briefly talk about what it is. The registry is a kind of database of the Windows 10 operating system. It stores all system settings, settings for programs, applications and connected equipment (printers, scanners, etc.). And even small errors can disrupt the correct operation of the OS.
Therefore it should also be checked:
After changing the settings, a black screen usually appears, which goes away after a few seconds.
Additionally, it should be checked using the Reg Organizer utility. She will find and correct all errors.
Restore the system to a restore point
Another way to return all the icons and icons back to the desktop is to roll back all changes in the system to the point when all the icons and shortcuts were displayed. This is an effective method that will certainly solve the problem even if none of the above methods brought the desired result.
To complete this task you need:
- Enter the classic “Control Panel” by pressing “Win + X” or through Start.
- In the search bar (you can find it in the upper right corner) you must enter the query “Recovery”.
- The search results will display the section we need, go to it.
- We launch system recovery by clicking on the appropriate item.
- The “Recovery” wizard will open. To roll back and return to the normal appearance of the desktop, you just need to click “Next” and follow the instructions on the screen.
- An important step is to select a suitable restore point to which the rollback should be made.
- Select a point from those available in the list and click “Next”. If you do not know what to do in this case and which point to select, then you should use the “Search for affected programs” option. To do this, select a point and press this button.
- A window will appear on the screen with a list of utilities that will be affected during a system rollback. In the top list you will see applications that will be deleted, and in the bottom list you will see those that will be restored.
- Having selected a restore point, click “Finish”.
After this, the process will be launched and Windows 10 will roll back to the restore point you need.
Based on the available data, we can summarize that returning an old desktop is not difficult, and no specialized knowledge or skills in the computer field are required, since we have explained each method in as much detail as possible.
Any operating system can fail for reasons unknown to the average user. Complex program code and the interaction of a dozen utilities with each other can lead to various problems, including on Windows 10. One of the errors that users may encounter when booting their computer is a blank main screen. If all the shortcuts have disappeared from the desktop, they can most often be restored using simple methods, which will be discussed below.
Desktop shortcuts fail to display in Windows 10
As mentioned above, the problem with shortcuts disappearing is due to internal errors in the operating system, and it is impossible to specifically name the file, program or utility with which it is associated. In most cases, shortcuts disappear from the desktop due to the settings for their display being disabled.
To make the icons appear on the Windows 10 desktop again, you need to do the following:
This checkbox should be enabled by default, but conflicts with some applications may cause it to be unchecked. In such a situation, it is enough to install it, and shortcuts will appear on the desktop again.
If the checkbox is checked but your desktop icons are still not visible, you can try creating a new item. To do this, right-click on any free space on the desktop and select “New” - “Folder” (or any other element).
After this, not only the newly created icon should appear, but also all the previous ones. If this does not happen, you can move on to the next method.
Windows 10 touch settings fail
As you know, the Windows 10 operating system is designed not only for computers, but also for tablets with touch controls. You can find many options in it, thanks to which you can conveniently adjust the interface to control from a touch display. If a system error occurs, these options may turn on completely or partially on their own, which will lead to the disappearance of shortcuts from the desktop. You can correct the situation as follows:
The actions described above in some situations help to overcome a system failure, which most often results in the absence of shortcuts on the desktop.
If none of the methods described above helped return shortcuts to the Windows 10 desktop, you can try. When recovery is impossible due to lack of checkpoints, the surest way would be.
If all the icons and icons have disappeared from your desktop for an unknown reason, then most likely it is not a virus or some kind of system failure - they are simply hidden or the display mode is set to 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, in the same menu select 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 simplest way is 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 " Themes»—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 resolve the problem, then the reasons may be more serious, including the impact of malware on the system.
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 a good solution would be to 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 Windows 10 installed, then to get them back you can try turning off the laptop with the power button, rather than using “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 10 settings.
The second option is preferable, since when restoring Windows, all actions performed after the creation date of the checkpoint to which you are rolling back 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 associated with incorrect operation of the explorer.exe system file, 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 your system for viruses: malware may be preventing the explorer.exe file from starting on its own.
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