Change Windows Desktop Icons and Recycle Bin

Changing Windows desktop icons lets you choose which system shortcuts appear and replace their pictures with icons that are easier to recognize or better match your desktop. You can show or hide icons such as This PC and Recycle Bin, change the Recycle Bin’s appearance, and adjust their size; you do not need extra software for the standard options.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows PC and access to its desktop settings. Some options may be restricted on a work or school computer.
• Optional: an icon file in the .ico format if you want to use a custom picture. Keep the file somewhere it will not be moved or deleted.

Step-by-Step

1. Open the desktop icon settings. Right-click an empty area of the desktop and select Personalize. In Settings, open Themes, then select Desktop icon settings. Depending on your Windows version or Settings layout, you may need to scroll to find the link. If you do not see it, open Start, search for desktop icon settings, and choose the matching Control Panel result.
2. Choose which Windows icons to show. In the Desktop Icon Settings window, tick the boxes for the icons you want on the desktop. Common options include This PC, User’s Files, Network, Recycle Bin, and Control Panel. Clear a box to hide that system icon. Hiding a desktop icon does not uninstall its feature or delete its contents.
3. Apply the selection. Select Apply to make the change while leaving the window open, or select OK to apply it and close the window. Check the desktop. If the icons remain hidden, right-click an empty area, open View, and make sure Show desktop icons is checked. That setting hides or shows all desktop icons at once; it does not change your individual selections.
4. Change the Recycle Bin icon. Return to Desktop icon settings, select Recycle Bin (full) or Recycle Bin (empty), and choose Change Icon. Pick an icon from the list, or select Browse to find a compatible .ico file. Select the icon, confirm with Open if browsing, then choose OK and Apply. The full and empty states can use different pictures, so set each one if you want both to look consistent.
5. Change other system icon pictures, if desired. In the same window, select another listed icon, such as This PC, and choose Change Icon. Select a built-in picture or browse to an .ico file, then confirm with OK and Apply. This changes the shortcut’s appearance, not the underlying system feature.
6. Adjust the size of desktop icons. Close the settings window. Right-click an empty part of the desktop, select View, and choose Large icons, Medium icons, or Small icons. You can also hold Ctrl while scrolling the mouse wheel over the desktop to adjust icon size more gradually. This affects desktop icons generally, not just the Recycle Bin.
7. Check the result and restore defaults if needed. Confirm the expected shortcuts appear and that both Recycle Bin states look right. To undo a custom picture, reopen Desktop Icon Settings, select the affected icon, choose Restore Default, then select Apply or OK. You can also clear its checkbox to hide it.

Common Mistakes

• Turning off all desktop icons by accident: The View > Show desktop icons option is a global visibility switch. If it is unchecked, even icons enabled in Desktop Icon Settings will not be visible.
• Choosing an image format Windows cannot use: The Change Icon dialog expects an icon resource, usually a .ico file. A .png or .jpg image may not appear as a selectable icon. Convert or obtain a valid .ico file rather than merely renaming the extension.
• Moving or deleting a custom icon file: Windows may lose the picture if its source file is removed or relocated. Store it in a stable folder, such as a dedicated Icons folder in your user profile, and avoid temporary folders or removable drives.
• Assuming a hidden Recycle Bin is empty: Hiding the desktop shortcut does not empty the bin or remove deleted files. Open Recycle Bin from Start search if you need to inspect or restore items.
• Changing only one Recycle Bin state: Windows can use separate pictures for empty and full. If you set only one, the icon may switch to the other picture when the bin’s contents change.

Tips

• Keep the original .ico file and note its location before applying a custom icon. That makes it easier to restore the same design later.
• Use a simple, high-contrast picture that remains recognizable at small sizes. A detailed image can become difficult to identify on a crowded desktop.
• If you want a shortcut to a folder or app rather than a Windows system icon, create or locate that shortcut, right-click it, select Properties, and use Change Icon on the Shortcut tab when available. This is separate from Desktop Icon Settings.
• To keep a tidy desktop without removing shortcuts, arrange them using View options such as Auto arrange icons or Align icons to grid.

Troubleshooting

• Desktop Icon Settings is missing: Search from Start for desktop icon settings. If a workplace administrator manages personalization, the option may be unavailable; contact the administrator rather than trying to bypass the restriction.
• Selected icons do not appear: Check that Show desktop icons is enabled in the desktop’s View menu. Then reopen Desktop Icon Settings and verify the relevant checkbox is selected. Apply the settings and allow a moment for the desktop to refresh.
• A custom icon is blank or has reverted: Confirm that the .ico file still exists at the saved location and can be opened. Browse to it again through Change Icon, apply the change, and avoid moving the file afterward. If it still fails, try another valid .ico file.
• The Recycle Bin picture does not change when items are deleted: Set both Recycle Bin (empty) and Recycle Bin (full) in Desktop Icon Settings. Confirm the bin is actually empty or contains an item, then refresh the desktop or sign out and back in if the display has not updated.
• Icons are the wrong size or missing after a display change: Right-click the desktop, open View, and choose a size again. Check Show desktop icons and try refreshing the desktop. A restart can help if Windows has not redrawn the desktop correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove the Recycle Bin from the desktop without deleting it?
Yes. Clear the Recycle Bin checkbox in Desktop Icon Settings. The bin and its contents remain available; search for Recycle Bin from Start to open it.

Can I change the Recycle Bin icon without installing an app?
Yes. Use Desktop Icon Settings and choose Change Icon. Windows includes icons to choose from, and you can also browse to a compatible .ico file.

Why does my Recycle Bin show the wrong picture?
Windows has separate empty and full icons. Set both states, and check that the bin’s contents match the state you expect to see.

Can I use a PNG as a desktop icon?
Not directly through the standard Change Icon dialog. Use a valid .ico file; changing a PNG’s file extension to .ico does not convert it.

Will hiding This PC or Recycle Bin delete anything?
No. Hiding a system desktop icon only removes its shortcut from view. It does not delete files, uninstall a feature, or empty the Recycle Bin.

How do I restore the original Windows icon?
Open Desktop Icon Settings, select the icon, choose Restore Default, and apply the change.