Getting the “This PC” Icon on Your Windows 11 Desktop
So, it turns out putting the “This PC” icon on your desktop in Windows 11 isn’t rocket science. It kinda helps speed things up, making it easier to get to all your files without hunting around in folders. The trick is diving into the personalization settings and checking a box. If that doesn’t do it, there’s always the DIY shortcut route through File Explorer or the command line. Yeah, it’s all about making that desktop feel more like yours, right?
How to Put “This PC” on Your Desktop
This little guide isn’t fancy, but it’ll get the job done. Perfect for those who are just getting their feet wet with Windows customization. The goal? Easy access to your drives and system info right from that desktop.
Start with Windows Settings
First up, hit the Start menu (that little Windows icon at the bottom of your screen). From there, look for the gear icon that says “Settings”. You could also just hit Windows + I and voilà, you’re in. This is your gateway to all the tweaks you might want to make.
Jump Into Personalization
Once you’re in Settings, find the “Personalization” section. It’s where all the fun stuff happens, like changing themes, wallpapers, and, you guessed it, desktop icons. Just a heads up, if you don’t see the right options, it might be due to your Windows version being outdated—those updates always seem to make things less of a hassle.
Theming Out
Click on “Themes” next, where you can mix and match styles, switch wallpapers, and change colors. This is also your launchpad to access Desktop Icon Settings, which is the bread and butter of adding that “This PC” icon.
Find Desktop Icon Settings
Scroll down in the Themes menu and grab the “Desktop icon settings” link. Alternatively, you can get there via the Control Panel:
- Open the Start menu, type in “Control Panel”, or hit Windows + R, type
control, hit Enter. - Then, head to Appearance and Personalization > Choose Display, | Personalization > Change desktop icons.
This brings up a window listing all the icons you can add or remove, which is super handy.
Check the “This PC” Box
Find the checkbox for “Computer” (yep, that’s “This PC”) and tick it. Hit “Apply” and then “OK” to lock it in place. The icon should pop right up on your desktop, making it way easier to dive straight into your files. Just always remember to hit “Apply”—it’s true what they say about saving changes.
If checking a box isn’t your style, you can also create a quick-access shortcut manually:
- Open File Explorer with Windows + E.
- Go to
C:\Users\.\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts - Right-click, select New > Shortcut.
- In the location field, slap in
%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe shell:AppsFolder\Microsoft.Windows.FileExplorer(or justexplorer.exe), and hit Next. - Name it This PC and hit Finish.
Just a note: if you hit Windows + E, it opens the default view straight to This PC, so you might just want to get used to that shortcut.
Once done, the This PC icon should be chilling on your desktop, giving you easy access to your drives and folders while boosting your workflow. Less searching means more doing.
Getting the Most From “This PC”
For added bonus points, regularly check for updates on Windows. Keeping it fresh helps avoid those annoying bugs that make you question your sanity. You can navigate to Settings > Windows Update or dive into PowerShell (as admin) and run Get-WindowsUpdate if you’re feeling fancy. If the Settings app is being a pain to find, just type “Settings” into the search bar. A lot of people prefer right-clicking on the desktop and hitting “Personalization” to save a click or two.
Also, that Desktop Icon Settings isn’t only for This PC. You can add icons like the Control Panel or Network, tailoring your desktop however you fancy. Just create a new shortcut using control.exe for the Control Panel. If you ever decide the icon’s in the way, unchecking the box next to “Computer” is all it takes to make it disappear without any hassle.
Questions You Might Have About “This PC”
Why isn’t “This PC” showing in Desktop Icon Settings?
Sometimes, the option just won’t show. This usually happened when the Windows version is outdated or if there were incomplete updates. Keeping everything up to date usually helps fix this. Double-check you’re on the right track—sometimes one misclick leads to a head-scratcher.
Can “This PC” be renamed?
You can totally rename it! Right-click the icon, pick “Rename”, and type whatever you feel like. Personalized icons make navigating a bit more intuitive for many users.
Shortcut for opening “This PC”?
Yup, hit Windows + E to whip open File Explorer straight to “This PC.” Another way is pressing Windows + R, typing explorer shell:MyComputerFolder, and hitting Enter.
What can “This PC” do for me?
This baby gives you instant access to your drives, Documents, Downloads, Pictures, and system info. It’s a one-stop-shop for managing files, making it great for anyone dealing with several drives or folders.
Can I add other icons like “This PC”?
You bet. The process is the same for adding other system icons like the Control Panel, Network, or Recycle Bin. Create shortcuts as needed, like control.exe for Control Panel. Customizing your desktop makes all the difference in streamlining your usage.