How to Add or Remove Default Desktop Icon in Windows 10

In this post, we will see how to add or remove default desktop icon such as This PC, Recycle Bin, and more in Windows 10. Also describes how to automate the process by storing information in the registry database.

Let’s get started:

In Windows 10 device, Select the Start button, and then select Settings.

Under Windows Settings, select Personalization.

Under Personalization > Themes, select Desktop icon settings.

Choose the icons you would like by check or uncheck to add or remove on the desktop. Click Apply, then OK.

Selected icons are added to your desktop successfully.

Use Registry Editor to Add or Remove Default Desktop Icon

The Registry contains information that Windows continually references during operation. It helps the operating system to manage the computer effectively.

Regedit.exe uses .reg files to import and export registry subkeys and values. You can use these .reg files to remotely distribute registry changes to several Windows-based computers. When you run a .reg file, the file contents merge into the local registry. Therefore, you must distribute .reg files with caution.

Add This PC Desktop Icon For All Users

To add or import a registry value follow these steps:

• Open Notepad, Copy the below registry value.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
 
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel]
"{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}"=dword:00000000
 
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ClassicStartMenu]
"{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel]
"{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}"=dword:00000000
 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ClassicStartMenu]
"{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}"=dword:00000000

• It will look like in the following syntax, when you see the file.

• 

• In the File menu, Select Save As.

• Browse to your preferred folder or location. In the File name box provide the appropriate name “FileName.reg” with .reg extension and Save as type “All”. Click Save.

• The registry file will appear on your saved location. To start the execution, double click or right click and select Merge option on the saved .reg file contents to merge into the local registry.

Tip – Regedit.exe supports a /s command-line switch to not display these messages. To silently execute the .reg file use the following syntax: regedit.exe /s “path of .reg file”

• A warning box with the following messages prompted, Click Yes to continue.

• Once Information in path of .reg file has been successfully entered into the registry, below prompt will be appear. Click OK.

Test your changes on the local computer, If the changes work as expected you can distribute the .reg you created to other computers. Refresh your desktop, You should now see that This PC icon is successfully added to your desktop.

Repeat same steps explained above, but use a different file name for the .reg file. You can use this .reg file to make your registry changes on another computer.

Add User’s Files Desktop Icon For All Users

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
 
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel]
"{59031a47-3f72-44a7-89c5-5595fe6b30ee}"=dword:00000000
 
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ClassicStartMenu]
"{59031a47-3f72-44a7-89c5-5595fe6b30ee}"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel]
"{59031a47-3f72-44a7-89c5-5595fe6b30ee}"=dword:00000000
 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ClassicStartMenu]
"{59031a47-3f72-44a7-89c5-5595fe6b30ee}"=dword:00000000

Add Network Desktop Icon For All Users

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
 
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel]
"{F02C1A0D-BE21-4350-88B0-7367FC96EF3C}"=dword:00000000
 
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ClassicStartMenu]
"{F02C1A0D-BE21-4350-88B0-7367FC96EF3C}"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel]
"{F02C1A0D-BE21-4350-88B0-7367FC96EF3C}"=dword:00000000
 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ClassicStartMenu]
"{F02C1A0D-BE21-4350-88B0-7367FC96EF3C}"=dword:00000000

Add Recycle Bin Desktop Icon For All Users

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
 
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel]
"{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}"=dword:00000000
 
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ClassicStartMenu]
"{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel]
"{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}"=dword:00000000
 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ClassicStartMenu]
"{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}"=dword:00000000

Add Control Panel Desktop Icon For All Users

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
 
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel]
"{5399E694-6CE5-4D6C-8FCE-1D8870FDCBA0}"=dword:00000000
 
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ClassicStartMenu]
"{5399E694-6CE5-4D6C-8FCE-1D8870FDCBA0}"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel]
"{5399E694-6CE5-4D6C-8FCE-1D8870FDCBA0}"=dword:00000000
 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ClassicStartMenu]
"{5399E694-6CE5-4D6C-8FCE-1D8870FDCBA0}"=dword:00000000

Resources

• Microsoft Docs Show desktop icons in Windows 10
• Latest Updated List of Windows 10 Time Zone | Codes | TZUTIL