How to remove unused icons from the Windows desktop

Updated: 02/07/2022 by Computer Hope

Windows Logo

Y'all may have many icons on your Windows desktop from different sources. Some icons were placed there after installing Windows, some announced when a program is installed, and you lot may have created others. Removing Windows desktop icons varies based on how they were fabricated. To continue, place the blazon of icon you lot're trying to remove and follow the steps in the advisable section.

Tip

Deleting a shortcut does not uninstall a program.

Full general program icons and shortcuts

To delete an icon created past saving a file, the installation of a software program, or user-created shortcuts, follow these steps.

  1. Right-click the icon you want to delete.
  2. In the drop-down menu that appears, select Delete.

Choice two:

  1. Click the icon with your left mouse push button in one case to highlight it.
  2. Press the Delete central on your keyboard.

Built-in Windows utilities

To remove icons for Windows utilities, such as My Computer, Recycle Bin, or Command Panel, select your version of Windows below and follow the steps.

  • Windows 11
  • Windows viii and 10
  • Windows Vista and vii

Windows eleven

  1. Correct-click a blank area on the Windows desktop.
  2. Select Personalize in the pop-up menu.

Notation

If you don't see the Personalize option in the pop-upwards menu, brand sure y'all did non right-click an icon. You must right-click an empty space on the desktop.

  1. On the correct side of the Personalization settings window, click the Themes option.
  2. Scroll downwards to the Related settings section and click the Desktop icon settings option.
  3. Uncheck the box next to the desktop icon(s) you desire to remove, click Apply, and click OK.

Remove desktop icons in Windows 11

Windows 8 and 10

  1. Right-click a bare expanse on the Windows desktop.
  2. Select Personalize in the pop-up menu.

Note

If you lot don't encounter the Personalize pick in the pop-up card, make sure you did not correct-click an icon. You must right-click an empty infinite on the desktop.

  1. In the left navigation carte, click Themes.
  2. On the right side of the Themes settings window, under Related Settings, click the Desktop icon settings option.
  3. Uncheck the box next to the desktop icon(south) you want to remove, click Apply, and click OK.

Remove desktop icons in Windows 10

Windows Vista and vii

  1. Right-click a bare area of the Windows desktop.
  2. Select Personalize in the popular-upward menu.

Annotation

If you don't see the Personalize choice in the pop-upward menu, make sure you lot did not right-click an icon. You must correct-click an empty space on the desktop.

  1. In the Personalize appearance and sounds window, click the Change desktop icons link on the left side.
  2. Uncheck the box next to the desktop icon(due south) yous want to remove, click Employ, and click OK.

Unable to delete a desktop icon

If yous tried to delete a desktop icon and it does not piece of work, there are several possible causes. Review each department below to make up one's mind if these reasons are the cause for non being able to delete the icon.

Not a shortcut icon

If the icon is not a shortcut to a program only rather the principal program itself, you lot may not be able to delete it. Some programs won't permit you to delete the desktop icon without uninstalling the program. For these programs, you may need to contact the plan developer to determine if and how you can remove the desktop icon without uninstalling the program.

  • How to uninstall software in Windows.

Icon is read-only

If you can't delete the desktop icon, it might be set up equally read-only, preventing y'all from deleting it. It's possible that the icon is in utilize by another programme and cannot be deleted until that programme is closed. Come across the page linked below for assistance fixing either of these issues.

  • Unable to delete file: existence used by another person or programme.

Don't have permissions to delete files

The user account you lot utilise to log in to Windows may non have permissions to delete some types of files. Some files on the desktop may require elevated privileges to remove them, peculiarly if they are related to of import Windows programs. If you don't have the necessary permissions, you can't delete the icon.

If you are using a personal estimator but not logged in with an administrator-level business relationship, review the account permissions to see if delete privileges tin can exist granted. Alternatively, change the account to be an administrator-level business relationship.

  • How to change a user account to an administrator account.

Corrupt Windows system files

Faulty organisation files in Windows can cause your problems uninstalling a desktop icon; still, this is rare. If organisation files that relate to file actions and permissions go corrupted, it tin cause multiple bug, including not being able to delete the files.

You tin can try restoring Windows to a previous point in time to see if that fixes the trouble. Visit the page linked beneath for help on activating a Windows restore signal.

  • How to restore Windows to an before copy.