Windows
Desktop icons were hidden and then restored
Desktop icons were hidden because Windows' HideIcons setting was on. The technician turned Show desktop icons back on and confirmed the icons returned.
Killed once by me, on 2026-09-24.
Affects
Versions
- Windows 11 Pro (10.0.26200)
Builds and updates
- 10.0.26200
What you see
- Desktop icons are not shown even though the desktop still has items on it.
Why it happens
Likely HideIcons was set to 1 in `HKCU:\...\Explorer\Advanced`; no `NoDesktop` policy was present.
When it shows up
Desktop icons are hidden, the desktop still contains items, `HideIcons` is 1, and `NoDesktop` is not set.
You are in this case if:
- `HideIcons` = 1 in `HKCU:\...\Explorer\Advanced`
- `NoDesktop` policy not present
1 fix below
The steps that killed it
The steps are behind a quick check
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I killed this on a Windows computer on 2026-09-24. It is written up from that one repair, so it cites no outside page.