How to Hide Icons on the Desktop in Windows 11

If you use your computer to give presentations in the office, or if you simply prefer a minimalist aesthetic, a desktop completely covered in fifty different folders, Word documents, and application shortcuts is both distracting and messy.

Rather than manually deleting every single shortcut (which you might need later) or dragging everything into a messy “Dump” folder, Windows 11 includes a native feature that acts like an invisibility cloak. You can instantly hide every single icon on your desktop with two clicks, and bring them all back just as quickly.

How to Hide All Desktop Icons

This is a purely visual toggle. It does not delete or move your files; it simply stops Windows from drawing them on the screen.

1. Navigate to your main Desktop.
2. Right-click on any blank, empty space on the wallpaper (do not right-click on an existing icon).
3. A menu will pop up. Hover your mouse over the word View at the very top.
4. A secondary menu will fly out to the side. Look at the very bottom of this list for an option labelled Show desktop icons.
5. You will notice a small checkmark next to it. Click on Show desktop icons to uncheck it.

The instant you click, every single icon, folder, and file will vanish, leaving you with a perfectly clean wallpaper.

How to Bring Your Icons Back

When you finish your presentation or need to access a specific document, reversing the process is identical.

1. Right-click on the empty Desktop again.
2. Hover over View.
3. Click Show desktop icons again to replace the checkmark.

All of your icons will instantly reappear in the exact same positions they were in before you hid them.

How to Hide Specific System Icons

If you don’t want to hide everything, but you are specifically annoyed by the persistent “Recycle Bin” or “This PC” icons that Windows forces onto your screen, you can disable those individually.

1. Press the Windows Key and open Settings (the gear icon).
2. Click on Personalisation in the left sidebar.
3. Click on Themes in the main panel.
4. Scroll down to the “Related settings” section and click on Desktop icon settings.
5. A small classic window will pop up. Uncheck the boxes next to Recycle Bin, Computer, or Control Panel.
6. Click Apply and then OK.