Emily Bennett
How to Easily Remove All Shortcuts from Your Desktop in Windows 10/11
Is your desktop cluttered with shortcuts? This guide will walk you through the simple process of removing all desktop shortcuts on Windows 10 and Windows 11, helping you achieve a clean and organized workspace. By following these steps, you will learn how to hide your desktop icons efficiently.
Step 1: Open the Registry Editor
To begin, you need to access the Registry Editor. Follow these steps:
- Click on the Windows search bar.
- Type
Registry Editor. - When it appears in the search results, click on it and accept any permission prompts.
Step 2: Navigate to the Explorer Key
Once the Registry Editor is open, you must find the appropriate key:
- In the Registry Editor, locate
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINEand double-click to expand it. - Scroll down and double-click on
SOFTWARE. - Double-click on
Microsoft. - Continue by finding and double-clicking on
Windows. - Locate and click on
CurrentVersion. - Finally, find and double-click on
Explorer.
Step 3: Create a New Key
You will now create a new key to modify:
- Right-click on the
Explorerkey. - Select
Newand thenKey. - Name the new key
Shell Iconand press Enter.
Step 4: Create a String Value
Next, you need to create a string value within the new key:
- Right-click on the
Shell Iconkey. - Select
Newand thenString Value. - Name this string value
29and press Enter. - Double-click on the newly created string value to edit it.
- Paste the following value into the field:
%windir%\System32\shell32.dll,-50 - Click
OKto save it.
Step 5: Close the Registry Editor
After entering the value, close the Registry Editor. The changes will not take effect immediately.
Step 6: Restart File Explorer or Your PC
You can either restart your computer or specifically restart the File Explorer:
- Open Task Manager by right-clicking the taskbar and selecting
Task Manager. - Under the
Processestab, findWindows Explorer. - Select it, then click
Restartin the bottom right corner.
After restarting, you’ll notice the absence of the shortcut icons on your desktop.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
To ensure a smooth experience while following this guide:
- Always back up your registry before making changes to avoid unintended issues.
- If you don’t see the changes after restarting, ensure the value you pasted is correct.
- For worst-case scenarios, have a system restore point created before proceeding.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have successfully removed all shortcuts from your desktop. This guide not only helps clear your workspace but also keeps your desktop organized. For more tips on optimizing your Windows experience, check out our other guides!