Desktop icons provide a quick and easy way to access important system locations like This PC, the Recycle Bin, and others along these lines. Moreover, since Windows XP, this set of desktop icons has always been present on a Windows computer. However, if you're a long-time Windows user or prefer using keyboard shortcuts to access File Explorer, these icons may seem useless. If you're looking for a quick and easy way to delete or change the icons on your desktop, we have a solution for you. Read below to learn how to change or remove desktop icons on Windows 11. Furthermore, we'll discuss how to resize desktop icons as well.
How to Change Desktop Icons in Windows 11
Changing your desktop icons is a fairly simple process; it's by no means complicated. Here's how: desktop icons In Windows 11:
1. Press the keys Windows + I At the same time to open the application Settings.
2. Click “Personalization” in the right pane.
3. Click Features On the right side Featured.
4. Scroll down and tap Settings Desktop icon under Related Settings.
5. In a window Settings Desktop icon, select the icon you want to change and click the “Change the code…", as shown.
6A. You can choose from the included icon options by selecting an icon from the list below: Section.
6b. Or you can use Custom icons By clicking on the button “Browse…To search for symbols in this file: field. Select the desired symbol from the File Explorer.
7. Click "OK" After choosing your preferred symbol.
Note: You can also assign icons to a specific theme and maintain a separate set of icons for each theme. To do this, select the check box labeled "Allow themes to update desktop icons." Changing icons now only affects the currently active theme—that is, the one you modified.
8. Finally, tap Apply > OK.
This is how to change desktop icons in Windows 11.
How to Remove Desktop Icons on Windows 11
If you want to remove all icons for a simpler-looking setup, you can remove these built-in icons as well. To remove system icons, you can either choose to hide all icons on the desktop or use the Settings app to remove them.
Option 1: Use the right-click context menu
Follow these steps to remove desktop icons using the right-click context menu:
1. Right-click on any 180 years old on the desktop.
2. Click View > Show Desktop icons, as shown below.
3. If enabled The mentioned option , it will now be unchecked and the default desktop icons will not appear.
Pro tip: Alternatively, you can use the same steps to show desktop icons on your screen, if needed at a later stage.
Option 2: Use the Settings app
Follow the steps below to remove desktop icons using Windows Settings:
1. Go to Settings > Personalization > Themes As above.
2. Click Settings Desktop icon under relevant settings to start running Desktop icons settings window.
3. Cancel check the box located next to each icon under the Desktop Icons section to remove it from your Windows 11 desktop.
4. Finally, tap Apply > OK. The changes made will be saved.
How to change the size of desktop icons
You can adjust the size of the icons using a simple keyboard shortcut or the mouse, if the default size is too small or too huge for your liking.
Option 1: Use the right-click context menu
1. Right click on 180 years old on the desktop.
2. Click "an offer".
3. Choose from large symbols Medium icons and small icon sizes.
Option 2: Use a keyboard shortcut
You can also adjust the size of the icons using a keyboard shortcut. If you don't remember such combinations, read our guide on how to do so. Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts Here. From your desktop screen, use any of the shortcuts listed below to resize your desktop icons:
Keyboard shortcut icon size
Very large symbols Ctrl + Shift + 1
Large icons Ctrl + Shift + 2
Medium icons Ctrl + Shift + 3
Small icons Ctrl + Shift + 4
We hope you found this article interesting and helpful on how to change, remove, or resize desktop icons on Windows 11. Let us know what topic you'd like us to explore next.
