Windows 10: Lost all "Desktop" Icons/Shortcuts

I was on a short vacation, and I powered off my system...via power strip, while gone. Upon return, I fired up the system, and downloaded any updates, etc., that might have been available during my "absence". When done, I noticed that all my old W7 desktop "shortcuts" were gone from the screen. In their place was a new "icon" that allowed me to search on all the applications on the system. Looking on the Net, I found several references to missing shortcuts, etc.....all of which seem to point me to "right clicking" on the desktop to find an option to enable the shortcut icons. I've "right clicked" all over the screen...including clicking on the desktop "app" on the little blue window in the lower LH corner of the screen. This "desktop app" has No options, and right clicking anywhere on the desktop screen does nothing.

This is little more than a nuisance, since everything else is working fine, but having these shortcuts was far more convenient than using the (apparently new) W10 method. Has anyone else noticed this in recent days.

BTW, the Only thing I have not been able to find is an easy way to access the "Recycle Bin"...its Icon is among the "missing". I am having to use CCleaner, etc., to remove deleted files, etc.

I've been using W10 for over 6 months, now, and this is the first problem that has me "confused".

:)

 

Desktop files gone after upgrade to Windows 10. Where did they go?

Mine just did a major update and I lost EVERTYTHING from my desktop.

Usually, there's a windows.old folder and it's in there, however, after searching, I found a folder in C drive : users : "the beginning of my email name"

All my desktop stuff was in there

 

Lost shortcuts and desktop icons after upgrading to Windows 10 from Windows 7.

me too

 

You can get it back easily. Follow it: Desktop Icons - Add or Remove in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

A screenshot of this icon would be good:

 

Thanks for the tip...I have already tried "Option 1", to no avail. I will try "Option 2" this evening, and see how that goes.

 

Also please provide the screenshot of that icon to seh all the applications. We should know what is going on there.

• Take Screenshot using Snipping Tool
• Upload and Post the Screenshot

Make it sure that the desktop icons are not hidden, the "Show Desktop Icons" menu is checked.
Desktop Icons - Hide or Show in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

 

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• Desktop/Laptop/PC Data Recovery Freeware

 

This is getting interesting. I cannot get to the "desktop" from either the Start screen, or "Shift/F10. I cannot get the window which would allow me to "show desktop icons"....instead it just goes to "desktop Icon setting", which does Nothing. However, if I open File Explorer and click on Desktop, all my icons and shortcuts are there, and I can quickly get to any applications by clicking there. I even uninstalled a program, then downloaded/reinstalled it, and Still no desktop shortcut, even though I checked on "create shortcut". Something has impacted my system with these latest "updates". However, no big thing, as I now have figured out a quick way to navigate within W10. At this point, its not worth taking a chance of screwing everything up by fooling with the Registry, or doing a Restore, etc., from my external drive....maybe the next W10 updates will change things again.

If W10 becomes a real pain, I have created an ISO boot disk for Linux/Mint, and may partition my HD, and begin to explore that OS....others I know claim that Linux is far superior to Windows.

 

Start Screen? Are you using Tablet Mode?

Turn it off and see if you can get to the desktop. Try Option Two: Tablet Mode - Turn On or Off in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

 

BINGO!!! Somehow, this thing went into "tablet" mode. I just turned That Off, and I am now back to my normal and familiar screen. Thanks for your Suggestion....I have no idea what kicked my system into Tablet mode...I'll have to remember this if it happens again.

 

Somebody mentioned that if you have a 2nd monitor attached removing it and rebooting might help.
This worked for me, but was a pain every time I boot.
I had used "Ultimate Tweaker" to remove the arrows on my shortcut icons. Used the Restore point that I created before using the "Tweaker"
Arrows are back and so are all my icons...permanently.