How to remove unused icons from the Windows desktop

Updated: 02/07/2022 by Computer Hope

Windows Logo

You may have many icons on your Windows desktop from different sources. Some icons were placed in that location subsequently installing Windows, some appear when a program is installed, and you may have created others. Removing Windows desktop icons varies based on how they were made. To go on, place the type of icon you're trying to remove and follow the steps in the appropriate section.

Tip

Deleting a shortcut does not uninstall a program.

General program icons and shortcuts

To delete an icon created past saving a file, the installation of a software plan, or user-created shortcuts, follow these steps.

  1. Right-click the icon you desire to delete.
  2. In the drop-down menu that appears, select Delete.

Option two:

  1. Click the icon with your left mouse button in one case to highlight it.
  2. Press the Delete primal on your keyboard.

Built-in Windows utilities

To remove icons for Windows utilities, such equally My Calculator, Recycle Bin, or Control Panel, select your version of Windows below and follow the steps.

  • Windows 11
  • Windows viii and 10
  • Windows Vista and 7

Windows eleven

  1. Right-click a bare surface area on the Windows desktop.
  2. Select Personalize in the pop-upwards menu.

Notation

If yous don't see the Personalize option in the pop-up carte, make sure you did not right-click an icon. Y'all must right-click an empty infinite on the desktop.

  1. On the right side of the Personalization settings window, click the Themes pick.
  2. Scroll downward to the Related settings section and click the Desktop icon settings option.
  3. Uncheck the box side by side to the desktop icon(s) you desire to remove, click Apply, and click OK.

Remove desktop icons in Windows 11

Windows viii and 10

  1. Right-click a blank area on the Windows desktop.
  2. Select Personalize in the pop-up bill of fare.

Note

If you don't see the Personalize option in the pop-up menu, make sure yous did not right-click an icon. You must correct-click an empty space on the desktop.

  1. In the left navigation card, click Themes.
  2. On the right side of the Themes settings window, under Related Settings, click the Desktop icon settings selection.
  3. Uncheck the box adjacent to the desktop icon(s) you desire to remove, click Utilize, and click OK.

Remove desktop icons in Windows 10

Windows Vista and 7

  1. Correct-click a blank area of the Windows desktop.
  2. Select Personalize in the pop-up menu.

Note

If you don't see the Personalize option in the pop-up bill of fare, make sure you did not right-click an icon. You must right-click an empty infinite on the desktop.

  1. In the Personalize appearance and sounds window, click the Change desktop icons link on the left side.
  2. Uncheck the box next to the desktop icon(south) y'all desire to remove, click Apply, and click OK.

Unable to delete a desktop icon

If you tried to delete a desktop icon and it does not work, there are several possible causes. Review each section below to determine if these reasons are the cause for not existence able to delete the icon.

Non a shortcut icon

If the icon is non a shortcut to a program simply rather the main program itself, you may not be able to delete it. Some programs won't allow you lot to delete the desktop icon without uninstalling the program. For these programs, you may need to contact the programme programmer to make up one's mind if and how you can remove the desktop icon without uninstalling the programme.

  • How to uninstall software in Windows.

Icon is read-merely

If you tin't delete the desktop icon, it might exist fix as read-but, preventing you from deleting it. Information technology's possible that the icon is in use by another program and cannot be deleted until that program is airtight. See the page linked below for assistance fixing either of these issues.

  • Unable to delete file: being used by another person or plan.

Don't have permissions to delete files

The user business relationship you use to log in to Windows may not have permissions to delete some types of files. Some files on the desktop may require elevated privileges to remove them, peculiarly if they are related to important Windows programs. If yous don't take the necessary permissions, you can't delete the icon.

If you are using a personal reckoner just not logged in with an ambassador-level account, review the account permissions to see if delete privileges can be granted. Alternatively, change the account to be an administrator-level account.

  • How to modify a user account to an administrator account.

Corrupt Windows organisation files

Faulty system files in Windows can crusade your issues uninstalling a desktop icon; however, this is rare. If system files that chronicle to file actions and permissions get corrupted, it can crusade multiple problems, including not being able to delete the files.

You can attempt restoring Windows to a previous point in time to see if that fixes the trouble. Visit the page linked below for help on activating a Windows restore bespeak.

  • How to restore Windows to an before copy.