How to hide desktop icons in Windows 11 and 10

The fastest way, built into Windows 10 and 11.

1. Right-click an empty spot on the desktop.
2. View, then untick Show desktop icons.
3. To bring them back, tick it again.

The files stay in the Desktop folder, only the icons are hidden. After that you launch programs from the Start menu or turn the icons back on.

When a few icons are in the way, not all of them.

1. System icons (This PC, Recycle Bin, Network): Settings, Personalization, Themes, Desktop icon settings, untick them.
2. Your own shortcuts and files: right-click, Properties, tick Hidden. The icon disappears as long as File Explorer does not show hidden items.
3. The simplest option is to put rarely used shortcuts into one folder on the desktop and leave only the essentials outside.

Keep in mind that the “hidden” attribute also works in File Explorer: the file disappears from every folder while hidden items are turned off.

The third way, for those who want an empty desktop and still reach everything with one press.

1. Install Vealo from Steam and run it. The icons leave the desktop at once.
2. Press the hotkey, Ctrl+Shift+F by default, or click an empty spot on the desktop: a panel appears with all your shortcuts and files, with search and your own sections.
3. Close the panel and the desktop is empty again.

• Nothing is deleted. Vealo uses the same built-in hiding setting, the files stay in the Desktop folder. Close the app and the usual desktop is back.
• No flash at sign-in. The desktop is marked empty before Explorer builds it, so icons do not blink at startup.
• Two monitors, two sets. Each screen has its own shortcuts, and the panel opens on the monitor where the cursor is.
• Free. Hiding, summoning, search and up to two sections are part of the free version.

A detailed look at every way, including Steam game shortcuts and order inside the folder itself: How to get a clean desktop in Windows: 5 ways.