Hiding or showing common Windows desktop icons

Windows includes some common desktop icons for Computer, User's Files, Recycle Bin, Control Panel, and Network that you can select to hide or display through the Desktop Icon Settings dialog box. By default, only the Recycle Bin is displayed.

1. Click the Start button, and in the Start menu's search box, type desktop icons.
2. In the list that appears, click Show or hide common icons on the desktop.
3. In the Desktop Icon Settings dialog box, figure shown, clear or select check boxes as needed.
   
   
   
   You can hide or show Windows common desktop icons.

You can also add a desktop toolbar to access desktop icons, even if you have hidden the icons on the desktop itself. This is covered in the "Accessing your desktop with a toolbar" section.