Solved File Explorer stopped showing This PC, Network etc.


mikolajek

mikolajek

Well-known member
Local time
9:57 PM
Posts
37
Location
Warsaw, Poland
OS
Windows 11 Pro 23H2
Hi, I've just moved to a new PC and I'm attempting to re-create my config from the old one. I've come across a setting / issue I cannot overcome, so I hope some is able to give me a hint on how to approach this.

I have my This PC and Network icons set to be displayed on the Desktop and I can see them when looking directly at the Desktop. At the same time when I enter the Desktop folder via the File Explorer, these icons are no longer visible. I can only see other files and folders I saved to the Desktop. On my old machine it wasn't the case and I could see icons as well.

Is there a way to get these icons displayed in the File Explorer as well?
 
Windows Build/Version
Windows 11 24H2 / 26100.2605

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS15 9500
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Dell UltraSharp U2718Q 4K
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps
From what I read I'd assume you Moved the two icons to the Desktop folder instead of creating a shortcut to them.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro RTM
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3400
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
    Memory
    12GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD NVMe M.2
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 5890
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Onboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dell
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD NVMe, 4TB Seagate HDD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security
mikolajek said:
At the same time when I enter the Desktop folder via the File Explorer, these icons are no longer visible.
Click to expand...
You're probably viewing the User Folder and not the Desktop Proper Folder....,
or, the other way around...
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
mikolajek said:
Hi, I've just moved to a new PC and I'm attempting to re-create my config from the old one. I've come across a setting / issue I cannot overcome, so I hope some is able to give me a hint on how to approach this.

I have my This PC and Network icons set to be displayed on the Desktop and I can see them when looking directly at the Desktop. At the same time when I enter the Desktop folder via the File Explorer, these icons are no longer visible. I can only see other files and folders I saved to the Desktop. On my old machine it wasn't the case and I could see icons as well.

Is there a way to get these icons displayed in the File Explorer as well?
Click to expand...
Go to settings > personalization > themes > Desktop icon settings

You can check off there what you want on your desktop.

If you are using onedrive, you will not see them in your desktop folder.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 5700 X3D
    Motherboard
    MSI MPG B550 GAMING PLUS
    Memory
    64 GB DDR4 3600mhz Gskill Ripjaws V
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX 4070 Super , 12GB VRAM Asus EVO Overclock
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 2.0) 2560 x 1440 @ 170hz HDR
    Hard Drives
    2TB Samsung nvme ssd
    2TB XPG nvme ssd
    PSU
    CORSAIR RMx SHIFT Series™ RM750x 80 PLUS Gold Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
    Case
    CORSAIR 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower ATX PC Case – Black
    Cooling
    ID-COOLING FROSTFLOW X 240 CPU Water Cooler
    Internet Speed
    900mbps DOWN, 100mbps UP
  • Operating System
    Chrome OS
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Chromebook
    CPU
    Intel Pentium Quad Core
    Memory
    4GB LPDDR4
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14 Inch HD SVA anti glare micro edge display
    Hard Drives
    64 GB emmc
mikolajek said:
Is there a way to get these icons displayed in the File Explorer as well?
Click to expand...
As @Berton mentioned, you need to create shortcuts to those Folders in question.

If you've enabled the icons in Settings...

9189.webp

... you will not see them in the User Desktop Folder..., (unless you create shortcuts for them)...

9185.webp

... you will only see them, along with the other stuff, if you view the All Users Folder...

9186.webp
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
That's what I needed, it works flawlessly!

Thanks a lot to all of you for your tips!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS15 9500
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Dell UltraSharp U2718Q 4K
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps
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