Personalizing your Windows 10 desktop with familiar system icons improves navigation and productivity. The This PC icon, previously known as My Computer in earlier versions, provides quick access to drives, folders, and networked locations. Even after Windows 10 reached end of support in October 2025, this customization option remains fully functional on existing installations.
Many users prefer having This PC directly on the desktop for one-click access to files and storage devices. The process involves simple built-in settings that have not changed over the years. Whether upgrading from older Windows versions or setting up a fresh desktop, restoring this icon takes only moments.
Windows 10 continues to run smoothly for millions of users worldwide, and desktop customization features like icon placement stay reliable. This guide covers multiple proven methods to ensure you find one that works perfectly for your setup.
Understanding the This PC Icon in Windows 10
The This PC icon serves as a central hub in File Explorer, displaying local drives, removable media, and network locations. Adding it to the desktop creates a direct shortcut to this view, bypassing the need to open File Explorer first. Microsoft renamed My Computer to Computer in Windows 7 and then to This PC starting with Windows 8, but the functionality remains consistent.
In modern workflows, quick access to storage helps manage files efficiently, especially on systems with multiple hard drives or external devices. The icon also integrates with search and context menus for advanced operations. Customizing its presence aligns Windows 10 with personal preferences, making the interface feel more intuitive.
System icons like This PC are managed separately from regular shortcuts, ensuring they maintain special properties and behaviors. These icons resist accidental deletion in some cases and update dynamically based on connected devices.
Primary Method: Using Desktop Icon Settings
The most straightforward and recommended approach uses Windows built-in personalization tools. This method restores the official system icon with all native features intact.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Right-click on an empty area of your desktop. From the context menu, select Personalize. This opens the Settings app directly to the Personalization section.
In the left sidebar, click on Themes. Scroll down the right pane until you see the Related settings section. Click on Desktop icon settings.
A small window titled Desktop Icon Settings appears. In the Desktop icons area, locate the checkbox labeled Computer. Check this box to enable the This PC icon.
You can also select other system icons like Recycle Bin, Network, or Control Panel if desired. Click Apply to see the changes immediately, then OK to close the window.
The This PC icon now appears on your desktop, positioned in the upper-left corner by default. Drag it to any preferred location.
Quick Access via Run Command
For users who prefer keyboard shortcuts or need faster access to the settings, the Run dialog provides an efficient alternative.
Press Windows key + R to open the Run box. Type the following command exactly as shown: desk.cpl,,5 and press Enter.
This directly launches the Desktop Icon Settings window. Check the Computer checkbox, then click Apply and OK.
The command works reliably across Windows 10 versions and builds. It bypasses multiple menu clicks, saving time for frequent customizers.
Advanced users can create a desktop shortcut to this command for even quicker access in the future.
Creating a Manual Shortcut for This PC
When the standard method is unavailable or for additional shortcuts, manually creating one offers flexibility.
Right-click on an empty desktop space. Hover over New, then select Shortcut.
In the location field, enter: explorer.exe shell:MyComputerFolder Click Next.
Name the shortcut This PC or My Computer as preferred. Click Finish.
The new shortcut appears on the desktop. Right-click it, select Properties, then Change Icon to choose the classic This PC appearance from system files.
This method creates a functional equivalent that opens directly to the This PC view in File Explorer.
Dragging from File Explorer
Another intuitive option uses drag-and-drop functionality directly from File Explorer.
Press Windows key + E to open File Explorer. In the left navigation pane, locate This PC.
Click and hold on This PC, then drag it to an empty area of your desktop. Release the mouse button.
Windows automatically creates a shortcut. This method works quickly and requires minimal navigation.
The resulting shortcut behaves identically to manually created ones and can be renamed or repositioned freely.
Customizing Additional System Icons
While focusing on This PC, consider enhancing your desktop with other useful system icons using the same settings.
Access Desktop Icon Settings as described earlier. Available options typically include Recycle Bin, User’s Files, Control Panel, and Network.
Enabling multiple icons creates a cleaner, more organized workspace. Each maintains its special system properties and context menu options.
Users often combine This PC with Recycle Bin for essential file management tasks directly from the desktop.
Changing Icon Size and Alignment
After adding icons, adjust their appearance for better visibility and organization.
Right-click an empty desktop area. Hover over View to select Large icons, Medium icons, or Small icons.
Alternatively, hold Ctrl and scroll the mouse wheel for dynamic resizing. This affects all desktop icons simultaneously.
For alignment, right-click and select View > Align icons to grid or Auto arrange icons. These options keep the desktop tidy during rearrangements.
Medium icons provide the best balance between visibility and desktop space usage for most users.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Occasionally, users encounter problems when trying to display the This PC icon. Here are detailed solutions for frequent scenarios.
- Desktop Icon Settings Link Missing: This can occur after certain updates or theme changes. Use the Run command desk.cpl,,5 to access settings directly. The command forces the window to open regardless of menu visibility. Restarting Explorer.exe via Task Manager also resolves display glitches.
- Checkbox Grayed Out or Unavailable: Group Policy restrictions or third-party customization tools may interfere. Open Group Policy Editor by typing gpedit.msc in Run, then navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Desktop. Ensure “Hide and disable all items on the desktop” is not enabled. Disabling conflicting software temporarily helps identify causes.
- Icon Appears but Doesn’t Function: Corrupted system files might affect behavior. Run System File Checker by opening Command Prompt as administrator and typing sfc /scannow. This scans and repairs essential Windows files. Restarting afterward usually restores full functionality.
- Changes Not Applying Immediately: Theme conflicts can delay updates. Click Apply multiple times or switch to a different theme temporarily. Refresh the desktop by pressing F5 or right-clicking and selecting Refresh to force changes.
- Multiple This PC Icons Appearing: Combining methods can create duplicates. Delete extra shortcuts while keeping the system icon. The official icon maintains special properties that manual shortcuts lack, making it preferable.
- Icon Missing After Windows Updates: Post-update glitches occasionally hide icons. Reopening Desktop Icon Settings and rechecking Computer resolves this reliably. Creating a restore point before major updates helps rollback if needed.
- Display Issues on Multi-Monitor Setups: Icons may appear only on the primary display. Extend displays properly in Settings > System > Display. Manually dragging icons across monitors organizes them as desired.
- Third-Party Theme Interference: Custom themes sometimes override icon settings. Switch to a default Windows theme temporarily to apply changes. Reapply custom themes afterward while preserving icon selections.
Pro Tips
- Pin File Explorer to the taskbar set to open This PC by default for complementary quick access.
- Create custom folders on the desktop organized by project type and pin frequently used locations to This PC’s quick access section.
- Use keyboard shortcut Windows key + E to open File Explorer directly to This PC view when the desktop icon is hidden.
- Combine This PC with other system icons like Network for seamless access to shared drives in home networks.
- Regularly clean desktop clutter by moving shortcuts to dedicated folders while keeping essential system icons visible.
- Teach family members or colleagues these methods for consistent setups across multiple Windows 10 devices.
- Backup personalization settings using third-party tools if managing multiple computers.
- Experiment with icon spacing by holding Ctrl + Shift and dragging for precise arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the This PC icon the same as My Computer?
Yes, it’s the renamed version starting from Windows 8. Functionality remains identical to earlier My Computer icons.
Will this work after Windows 10 end of support?
Absolutely. Desktop customization features continue functioning normally on unsupported installations.
Can I change the This PC icon to look like old My Computer?
Yes, through Desktop Icon Settings, select the icon and choose Change Icon to browse for alternative system icons.
Why does my This PC icon show a different name?
Some editions display Computer instead. The underlying feature works the same regardless of labeling.
Does adding this icon affect performance?
No measurable impact. System icons use minimal resources and load instantly.
Can I add This PC to the taskbar instead?
Yes, create a toolbar from the taskbar properties pointing to the Computer namespace for similar access.
What if I accidentally delete the icon?
Simply return to Desktop Icon Settings and recheck Computer to restore it immediately.
Is there a difference between the system icon and a shortcut?
The official system icon maintains special context menus and properties that manual shortcuts approximate but don’t fully replicate.
Conclusion
Adding the This PC icon to your Windows 10 desktop enhances workflow efficiency through direct file system access. Multiple reliable methods ensure success regardless of preferences or minor system variations. These timeless customization options keep Windows 10 productive and familiar even in 2025, allowing users to maintain preferred setups alongside modern computing needs.
