How-To

Add or Remove System Icons to The Windows 7 Desktop

By Steve Krause

Last Updated on December 22, 2020

Here’s how to add or remove desktop icons from Windows 7.

In previous versions of Windows, it was a real pain to remove the Recycle Bin and other Desktop icons.  Microsoft took note of how many people complained about this and made a much easier way to control which icons appear on your desktop.

How To Add Or Remove Desktop Icons In Windows 7 

1. Right-Click a blank area on the Desktop, then select Personalize.

2. The Desktop Personalization window will open up, Click the Change Desktop Icons link.

3. In the Desktop Icon Settings window, Check or Uncheck the boxes for each icon.  If a box is unchecked then it will not appear on the desktop, and vice versa.

Voila!  You now have total control over the appearance of your Recycle Bin and other system Desktop icons on your Windows 7 PC!