How to Get the “This Computer” (My Computer) Icon on the Desktop in Windows 11 – Expert Guide

In modern versions of Windows, including Windows 11, Microsoft has moved toward a cleaner desktop experience by hiding default system icons like “This PC” (formerly known as My Computer). While this improves visual simplicity, many users—especially power users and IT professionals—still rely on having quick access to the This PC icon for navigating drives, managing devices, and accessing system tools.

As a Windows expert, I’ll walk you through the official and safe method to restore the “This PC” icon on your desktop in Windows 11, with:

• ✅ Step-by-step instructions
• ⚠️ Important notes at each stage
• 💡 Expert insights and best practices

Let’s begin.

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📌 Overview

The “This PC” icon provides direct access to:

• Hard drives and storage devices
• Network locations (if enabled)
• System tools (e.g., Device Manager, Disk Management)
• Control Panel settings

Although it’s no longer visible by default, Windows 11 fully supports restoring this icon via the Desktop Icon Settings utility.

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🔧 Step-by-Step: How to Restore the “This PC” Icon in Windows 11

✅ Step 1: Open Settings

1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
2. Alternatively:

• Click the Start Menu > Settings gear icon

💡 Tip: Use the keyboard shortcut (Windows + I) for faster access—especially useful if you’re setting this up frequently.

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✅ Step 2: Navigate to Personalization > Themes > Desktop Icon Settings

1. In Settings, go to:

   Personalization > Themes > Desktop icon settings

2. This will open the classic Desktop Icon Settings dialog box—a holdover from earlier Windows versions but still functional and supported.

⚠️ Note: This is the only official method provided by Microsoft to enable system icons like This PC.

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✅ Step 3: Enable the “Computer” Icon

1. In the Desktop Icon Settings window:

• Check the box next to “Computer”
• The label may appear as “This PC” depending on your system language or localization settings

1. Optionally, you can also check other icons such as:

• Network
• Recycle Bin
• User’s Files
• Control Panel

⚠️ Warning: Enabling too many system icons may clutter your desktop. Only select what you need regularly.

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✅ Step 4: Apply and Confirm Changes

1. Click Apply
2. Then click OK

💡 Tip: The icon should appear immediately on your desktop. If not, try:

• Refreshing the desktop (F5)
• Restarting File Explorer (via Task Manager)
• Rebooting your system (rarely needed)

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🖼️ Step 5: Customize the Icon (Optional)

If you want to change the appearance of the This PC icon:

1. Right-click the This PC icon on the desktop
2. Select Properties
3. Click the Customize tab
4. Under Folder pictures, click Change Icon
5. Choose a different icon or browse for custom .ico files

⚠️ Caution: Changing system icons can confuse other users or interfere with automated scripts that rely on default icons.

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🛠️ Alternative Method: Enable via Registry Editor (Advanced)

While not recommended for general users, advanced administrators or IT professionals may prefer using the Registry Editor to manage desktop icons programmatically or via scripts.

⚠️ Warning: Editing the registry can be dangerous if done incorrectly. Always back up the registry before making changes.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, press Enter
2. Navigate to:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace

3. Create or modify the key:

   {20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}

4. Set its default value to This PC

💡 Tip: This method is typically used in enterprise environments or deployment scripts.

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📋 Summary Table: Desktop Icon Options in Windows 11

Icon Name	Description	Enabled by Default?
This PC	Access to drives, system info, and hardware management	❌ No
Network	View network devices and shared resources	❌ No
Recycle Bin	Deleted files management	✅ Yes
User’s Files	Shortcut to your personal folder	❌ No
Control Panel	Legacy system settings hub	❌ No

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🧪 Expert Use Case Scenarios

Scenario	Recommended Action
Casual home user	Enable only This PC and Recycle Bin
IT technician	Enable This PC, Network, and Control Panel
Educational/student use	Enable This PC and User’s Files
Corporate/enterprise environment	Use Group Policy or Registry to standardize icons
Minimalist design preference	Disable all except Recycle Bin

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📌 Final Expert Recommendations

✅ Do:

• Use the Desktop Icon Settings tool—it’s the safest and officially supported method.
• Enable only the icons you use daily to avoid desktop clutter.
• Consider scripting or GPO for large-scale deployments.

❌ Don’t:

• Modify system icons unless necessary.
• Use third-party tools to replicate native functionality—Windows already provides a solid solution.
• Edit the registry unless you’re an experienced administrator or deploying standardized settings.

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📚 Conclusion

Restoring the “This PC” icon on your desktop in Windows 11 is a simple yet powerful way to regain quick access to critical system functions. Whether you’re troubleshooting, managing files, or launching administrative tools, having the This PC icon within reach streamlines your workflow.

By following this expert-approved guide, you now have the knowledge to:

• ✅ Safely restore the “This PC” icon using native Windows tools
• ⚠️ Understand the limitations and alternatives
• 💡 Tailor your desktop for optimal productivity

Remember:

• Keep your desktop clean and organized.
• Use built-in tools instead of third-party solutions whenever possible.
• For managed environments, consider automation via scripts or group policies.

Now you’re empowered to personalize your Windows 11 desktop like a pro!