If you are searching for the “My Computer” (or This PC) icon on the latest Windows 11 or existing Windows 10 desktop, you will probably not find it except if someone manually added it. It is one of the favourites and useful icons for all Windows users.
Follow the below steps to show My Computer on desktop in Windows 11/10 desktop. The same steps are applicable for Windows 8.1/7 if you are still using these old Operating Systems.
This is an essential icon to access the local drives, USB disks, CD/DVD drives, and other files. Not seeing this most frequently used icon on Windows Operating Systems will surprise you.
Steps to Show My Computer on Desktop Windows 11/10
Quick Navigation
I’m demonstrating these steps from Windows 11, but these steps and identical on Windows 10 as well (except for slight changes in icons and appearance)
1) Right-click on the empty space of the desktop. Click on ‘Personalize’.
2) In Windows 11/10, it will take to the settings app.
Click ‘Themes’ in the Personalization settings and ‘Go to desktop icon settings’ shown below.
In Windows 8.1, you will get the classic control panel to customize the icon set.
Tick the ‘Computer’ to show it on the desktop. Luckily the ‘Recycle Bin’ is already ticked; if you can’t see the Recycle Bin or it is missing from the Windows 10/11 desktop, this is the first place you have to check and enable it.
3) The ‘This PC’ or ‘My Computer’ icon would appear on the desktop.
Pin This PC/My Computer to Start Menu in Windows 11/10
As you know, the start menu returned in Windows 10. The My Computer icon is not included in the start menu. You can follow the below method to pin it (This PC) icon to the start menu and list.
Also, the start menu got revamped in Windows 11, which looks great compared to earlier Microsoft Operating Systems.
4) Right-Click on the ‘This PC’ icon after you have enabled it to display on the desktop. Select Pin to Start in Windows 11.
You have an additional option to add ‘Pin to Start list’ in Windows 10.
So, this is what happens when you select ‘Start’ and ‘Start List’ in Windows 10.
If you want to hide all icons from the desktop in Windows 10/11, here is the way.
Right Click on the empty space on the desktop, select View and remove ‘Show desktop icons’ to hide all icons from the desktop. You can enable back to show all icons on the desktop again.
Can I Rename ‘This PC’ to ‘My Computer?
Yes, you can rename This PC to My Computer in Windows 11 or 10.
Simply click on the icon and press F2 (the standard rename keyboard shortcut), or select the rename option from right-click menu.
Change the name to ‘My Computer’, so you will not miss the familiar name.
Hope this guide helps display the My Computer and Recycle Bin icons on Windows 11/10 Desktop and start list.
Still I cannot see my desktop icons. The screen showing is locked and unable to press right click. Desktop files are there in C drive but showing on screen. It is showing only quick links and useful tools.
my computer shutdown not warking
This is so great. This was the clearest instruction I have ever had for anything. And it was exactly as you said and now my “pc” is on the desk and as soon as I post this, I will tack it to the bottom. THANK YOU!!!!!!
Worked for me. Thank you.
Suddenly ‘This PC’ disappeared. In the themes/desktop icon section, Computer is checked (along with Recycle Bin). I can check/uncheck all the other icons (including This PC). Apply shows/hides appropriate icons, except for the Computer icon. It refuses to appear on the desk top. BTW Win 10.
I have rebooted, checked/unchecked, etc. I can not get the computer icon to show on desktop. Am I heading into the registry to find issue? If so, where?
thank you very much it was great support
Thanks it is useful. I got it…………..
Solved the problem. Steps were very easy to comprehend. Thanks.
Tried so many suggestions and none worked. But yours DID!!!!! Fabulous. Thank you, thank you. You may publish my unsolicited name and address.
dinocerutt@aol.com.
Dino Cerutti
I can’t seem to find my problem anywhere. I have a new Dell (almost one year old now) with the most recent update of Windows 10. Everything was fine until I noticed that when I clicked on the Document folder (This PC) it took me to a second Document folder and THEN it went to all my documents. Trying to make things better (one of the worst things I ever do) I moved all the documents up to the higher level Document folder. (Can’t remember what I did with the document folder I moved everything OUT of!) Later on I realized that the only things not getting backed up by my account with iDrive was the Documents (they’d previously been there and always got backed up before I moved them). So in order to get them backed up, they are now sitting in my User account but they are the only things not showing up in This PC. I am going crazy trying to figure this out. Can you help?
Excellent article. I was confused about where the settings to show the desktop icons. And then I found this guide. Now I can easily add desktop icons easily. Thanks for sharing this! keep it up!
Why does Microsoft do things like this/ Are they Brainless.? Do they enjoy aggravating the users? I have been using MS Windows since 1985 “Windows 1.3” They seem to follow the old adage “One step forward then two steps back.” Just this week they add Microsoft editor for EDGE, and it places their message window right on top of the error. Thus, you can not see the error.