## Sprucing Up Your Windows 11 Desktop with Icons
Adding a few icons to your Windows 11 desktop can really make a difference. It’s not about flashy tricks; it’s about making your favourite apps, folders, and key shortcuts easy to find. Whether it’s quick access to your documents, the Recycle Bin, or your work apps, having the right icons on show helps keep your workspace tidy.
Getting these icons set up is pretty straightforward, even if you’re not a tech whiz. No need for magic spells—just follow these simple steps to organise your desktop your way.
### Right-Click on Your Desktop
Start off by right-clicking anywhere on an empty spot on your desktop. This brings up a menu packed with options to personalise your space. Think of it as your shortcut to customise your desktop.
### Select ‘Personalise’
From that menu, click on ‘Personalise’. This opens your settings menu, where you can adjust themes, backgrounds, and other visual options. For quick access, you can also press Windows + I to jump straight into Settings.
### Find ‘Themes’ for Icons
Once in the Personalisation menu, click on ‘Themes’ on the sidebar. This is where you can manage how your desktop looks — especially useful if recent updates have removed or changed your favourite icons like This PC or the Recycle Bin. It’s a handy stop to restore those classic icons.
### Access ‘Desktop Icon Settings’
Scroll down or look around until you find ‘Desktop Icon Settings’. You can navigate there via this path:
Path:
Settings > Personalisation > Themes > Desktop icon settings
Or, if you’re feeling a bit cheeky, just run this command:
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL deskmod.cpl,3
It’s a quick shortcut that gets you straight to the icon settings without clicking through menus.
### Pick Your Icons
In the ‘Desktop Icon Settings’ window, check or uncheck boxes next to icons like This PC, Recycle Bin, or your user folders. It’s a simple way to control what appears on your desktop. Once you’ve made your selections, click ‘Apply’, and your desktop will update instantly.
If you want your icons to be larger or smaller, right-click again, hover over ‘View’, and pick the icon size you prefer. It’s quick, easy, and makes your desktop just right for you.
### Quick Tips for Icon Management:
– Want a shortcut to an app? Open the Start menu, find the app, right-click, select ‘More’, then ‘Open file location’. From there, right-click the app and choose ‘Create shortcut’. Drag it to your desktop and you’re set.
– To speed up opening Desktop Icon Settings, just type:
control /name:DesktopIconSettings
Follow these steps to keep your desktop organised and accessible.
### Some Handy Suggestions
For a truly personalised setup, you can create custom shortcuts with this command:
explorer shell:AppsFolder\{Application-GUID}
(Replace ‘{Application-GUID}’ with the actual app ID.)
Grouping icons into folders is also tidy — right-click on the desktop, select New > Folder, then drag icons into it. A little organisation can make a big difference.
Remember, keeping your desktop uncluttered can help you stay focused. To delete a shortcut, right-click and choose Delete. This only removes the icon, not the actual app.
### Wrapping Up
To summarise, here are the main steps to customise your desktop icons:
– Right-click on the Desktop
– Choose ‘Personalise’
– Navigate to ‘Themes’
– Go to ‘Desktop Icon Settings’
– Select the icons you want visible
With these simple tweaks, your desktop will be more functional and tailored to your workflow.
### Final thoughts
Getting comfortable with adding and managing desktop icons helps you create a workspace that suits how you work best. It’s all about reducing clutter and giving yourself quick access to what matters most.
For those wanting to get a little fancy, you can explore PowerShell scripts for automating shortcuts or use tools like IconPackager for custom themes. And don’t forget, all your icon cache settings are stored here:
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\iconcache_*
Taking the time to personalise your desktop can really make a difference. Happy customising!