How to Hide & Unhide Desktop Icons On Windows 10

Whenever we install a new program/game on Windows 10, the operating system automatically creates and places a desktop shortcut. The Desktop shortcut or desktop icon allows you to access the program quickly. However, there are times when we want to hide some app icons from our desktop.

If others use your computer, you wouldn’t want anyone to open your work apps and programs and mess around. Although Microsoft doesn’t provide any direct option to hide the app icons, you can still hide them by applying some tricks.

Also read: How to Change Drive Icons in Windows 10 PC

Steps to Hide & Unhide Desktop Icons On Windows 10

In this article, we will share the two best methods to hide and unhide desktop icons on Windows 10 computers. The methods are super easy; follow the simple steps given below.

1. Delete the Desktop Shortcut

Deleting the desktop shortcut seems to be the best and most comfortable option to keep a program hidden. Deleting the desktop shortcut doesn’t uninstall or removes the app. The app still resides in your installation folder, and you can easily bring back the desktop icon whenever you feel the need.

Deleting the desktop icon is pretty easy; select the icon that you want to delete, right-click on it and select the ‘Delete’ option. If you wish to bring back the desktop icon, open the Start menu, and find the app. Once found, drag and drop the app from the Start menu to the desktop.

This will bring back the desktop icon that you have deleted before. If the program isn’t listed on the start menu, open Windows search and type the app’s name. Right-click on the app and select ‘Open file location.’

This will open the program’s installation folder. Just right-click on the executable file and select Send to > Desktop.

2. Using Hidden Attributes

If you don’t want to delete the app icon, still want to hide it from the desktop, you need to implement the steps below.

Step 1. Right-click on the desktop icon that you want to hide and select ‘Properties.’

Step 2. On the Properties page, select the ‘General’ tab.

Step 3. On the General tab, select ‘Hidden’ under the Attributes.

Step 4. Once done, click on the ‘Ok’ button. This will hide the desktop shortcut.

Step 5. To unhide the desktop icon, open file explorer and click on the ‘View’ option.

Step 6. On the View tab, check the option ‘Hidden Items’. This will unhide the file.

Step 7. The hidden icon will appear different than the regular one. To unhide the icon completely, right-click on the icon and select ‘Properties‘

Step 8. On the General tab, uncheck the ‘Hidden’ option near the Attributes and click on the ‘Ok’ or ‘Apply’ button.

That’s it! You are done. This is how you can hide and unhide desktop icons in Windows 10.

So, this article is all about how to hide/unhide desktop icons on Windows 10 computers. I hope this article helped you, please share it with your friends also. If you have any doubts related to this, let us know in the comment box below.

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