How Can I Hide My Desktop Icons in Windows 10?

Heres how to hide all of your desktop icons in Windows 10.

Right-clickan empty spot on your desktop.

A cluttered desktop.

Move your mouse cursor overViewin the context menu.

ClickShow desktop iconsto remove the checkmark.

When the checkmark is gone, the icons on your desktop will be hidden.

View highlighted in the desktop right click context menu.

Icons appearing on your desktop are stored in a folder you’re free to access through File Explorer.

When the icons are hidden on the desktop, theyre still accessible through the desktop folder.

Heres how to initiate the desktop folder to view and access files and shortcuts you hid on the desktop.

The File Explorer shortcut highlighted on the Windows 10 taskbar.

Click theFile Explorericon on your taskbar, or typeWin+E.

Right-clickanywhere on your empty desktop.

ClickShow desktop iconsto place a checkmark.

This PC highlighted in File Explorer.

When the checkmark is present, the icons on your desktop will be visible.

How Do I Hide Certain Icons on My Desktop?

Hidden files are visible when you turn on the option to see them, but they appear slightly transparent.

Desktop highlighted in File Explorer.

When you delete a shortcut, you are not deleting the app or file itself.

When the box next to Hidden is checked, the file will be hidden.

If the icon turns transparent instead of disappearing, openFile Explorer, navigate to theDesktopfolder and clickView.

A blank desktop in Windows 10.

ClickOptions>Change folder and search options.

ClickDont show hidden files, folders, or drives, then clickOK.

The hidden file will no longer be visible on your desktop or in the desktop folder in File Explorer.

Desktop highlighted in File Explorer.

Why Hide Desktop Icons in Windows 10?

However, it tends to become cluttered over time since many apps automatically place a shortcut on the desktop.

There are several ways to hide desktop icons on a Mac.

A hidden file on the Windows 10 desktop that’s still visible due to settings.

To make your icons reappear, typedefaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop true killall Finderinto Terminal.

There are also Mac apps that will hide your desktop for presentations or when taking screenshots.

View highlighted in File Explorer.

Options and change folder and search options highlighted in file explorer.

View highlighted in folder options.

Don’t show hidden files, folders, or drives highlighted.