Windows system desktop icons: How to restore or add them

The other day, our desktop “Computer” shortcut went missing. Here’s how to restore (or create) it, as well as some other important Windows system desktop icons.

1. For Windows 7 or 8, right click on a blank space on your desktop and from the drop list that appears, select Personalize at the bottom. In the left-hand column of the window that opens, click “Change desktop icons.”

2. In the box that next appears, check off the icon(s) to be restored or added (do not deselect any icons already checked or they will be removed), and click “Apply.” The icon(s) will immediately appear on the desktop. Since these icons cannot be deleted or moved elsewhere, to remove them, follow the directions from the beginning, deselect them and click “Apply.”

3. For Windows 10: Follow Step 1, but when the Personalize window opens, select “Themes” in the left-hand column. From the list that opens on the right, click on “Desktop icon settings” and continue with Step 2.