Windows 10: Windows 11 Update – Desktop Icons and Files Missing, But Still in Desktop Folder

Discus and support Windows 11 Update – Desktop Icons and Files Missing, But Still in Desktop Folder in Windows 10 Software and Apps to solve the problem; Hi everyone,After a recent Windows 11 update and system restart, I noticed that my desktop has become completely empty – all my icons, shortcuts, and... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Software and Apps' started by JarredZhang, Jun 24, 2025 at 11:22 PM.

  1. Windows 11 Update – Desktop Icons and Files Missing, But Still in Desktop Folder


    Hi everyone,After a recent Windows 11 update and system restart, I noticed that my desktop has become completely empty – all my icons, shortcuts, and files are gone. The wallpaper also changed automatically to the Legion default background. However, when I check C:\Users\[MyUser]\Desktop, all my files are still there. I didn’t do anything manually.Has anyone experienced this? How can I restore my original desktop and files display? Any help would be greatly appreciated.Thanks in advance!

    :)
     

  2. Remove Linux Desktop Icons

    I am not sure whether this will work (Ubuntu does not have icons like that on the desktop by default), but I suggest opening the trash bin and sweeping the icons into the window showing the trash bin.
     
  3. sturpe Win User
    Cannot find Desktop Icon in File Explorer

    Now that is interesting. If I do what you suggest, File Explorer Address bar changes to C:\Users\username\documents and the missing ICONS are there. But there is still not a "Desktop" folder.

    Is this a step in the right direction?
     
  4. 95Viper Win User

    Windows 11 Update – Desktop Icons and Files Missing, But Still in Desktop Folder

    Windows 10 desktop icons not in order

    In ccleaner, did you uncheck cleaning the icon cache... have not used in a while; however, I think that is what the option is called.

    Now, if you are setting the icons and they move after you have set the settings and not changed them... you may have the "Random Windows 10 Icon movement problem".
    Some people have this and some don't.

    Here is a thread on the problem at Windows10 forums: Windows 10: Folder View Settings and Desktop Icon Positions Not Saving
     
Thema:

Windows 11 Update – Desktop Icons and Files Missing, But Still in Desktop Folder

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