Desktop Icons Not Showing or Missing Windows 11 Fix [2026]

Quick Answer: Desktop icons not showing due to disabled setting. Right-click Desktop → View → Show desktop icons.

Fix

Right-click Desktop → View → Check "Show desktop icons"

Right-click Desktop → View → Check "Show desktop icons"

Task Manager → Windows Explorer → Restart

ie4uinit.exe -show
taskkill /IM explorer.exe /F
del /A /Q "%localappdata%\IconCache.db"
start explorer.exe

Againly can inspect the relevant local evidence and propose a fix plan for review.

[CTA: Try free diagnosis]

Evidence-led support

Againly checks the local evidence and shows you a proposed plan before making changes.

Diagnosis-first coverage: executable changes are offered only when this PC's evidence and available capabilities support them.

Works on Windows 10 & 11 · No credit card required