How to Customize the Desktop Icons on Windows 11

Welcome to our guide on how to customize the desktop icons on your Windows 11 PC. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to change which icons appear on your desktop and how to personalize them to match your preferences. Let’s get started!

Adding Legacy Icons to the Desktop

By default, Windows 11 only displays the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop. If you want to add other legacy icons like This PC, User Files, Network, and Control Panel, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Click on Personalization.
3. On the Themes page, look for the “Related settings” section and click on the “Desktop icon settings” option.
4. A dialog box will appear with a list of icons you can choose to display on your desktop. Check the icons you want to appear:
   • Computer
   • User files
   • Network
   • Recycle Bin
   • Control Panel
5. Click the Apply button and then the OK button to save your changes.

Customizing Icon Appearance

If you want to further personalize the appearance of the icons on your desktop, you can change their icons. Here’s how:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Click on Personalization.
3. On the Themes page, look for the “Related settings” section and click on the “Desktop icon settings” option.
4. In the dialog box, select the icon you want to customize.
5. Click the “Change Icon” button.
6. Choose a new icon from the list or browse for a specific icon file on your computer.
7. Click the OK button to save your changes.
8. Click the Apply button and then the OK button to apply the new icon.

Common Questions

• Q: How do I add the Control Panel icon to my desktop in Windows 11?
  A: To add the Control Panel icon to your desktop, open the Settings app, click on Personalization, go to the Themes page, and click on the “Desktop icon settings” option. In the dialog box, check the “Control Panel” icon and click Apply.
• Q: Can I use my own custom icon for a desktop shortcut?
  A: Yes, you can use your own custom icon for a desktop shortcut. Right-click on the shortcut, select Properties, click on the “Change Icon” button, and browse for the icon file on your computer.

Interesting Facts about Desktop Customization

Did you know that customizing your desktop icons is not just limited to appearance changes? You can also organize them into folders or create shortcut groups for quick access to your favorite apps, files, or websites. Additionally, you can change the icon size and spacing to suit your visual preferences. Experiment and make your desktop truly your own!

That wraps up our guide on customizing the desktop icons on Windows 11. We hope you found it helpful and that it has enhanced your desktop experience. Remember to have fun and personalize your desktop to reflect your unique style!

Thank you for reading and stay tuned for more tech tips and guides!