Desktop icons are a great way for users to quickly access programs, files, folders, and web pages. If you’re looking to create, arrange, or remove desktop icons in Windows, make your selection from the list below and follow the instructions.

How to create a desktop icon

  • Press Windows key+D or navigate to the Windows desktop.
  • Right-click any blank space on the desktop. If you’re on a laptop, tap the trackpad with two fingers at the same time.
  • In the drop-down menu that appears, move your mouse cursor over New, then select Shortcut.
  • In the window that appears, select Browse… then navigate to the program, file, or folder which you’d like to create a shortcut, and then click Ok.
  • In the Create Shortcut window, select Next, then Finish.

How to create a desktop shortcut to a web page

  • Press Windows key+D or navigate to the Windows desktop.
  • Right-click any blank space on the desktop. If you’re on a laptop, tap the trackpad with two fingers at the same time.
  • In the drop-down menu that appears, move your mouse cursor over New, then select Shortcut.
  • In the window that appears, type the web address, and then click Next.
  • Type a name for the shortcut, and then click Finish.

How to arrange desktop icons

  • Press Windows key+D or navigate to the Windows desktop.
  • Right-click any blank space on the desktop. If you’re on a laptop, tap the trackpad with two fingers at the same time.
  • In the drop-down menu that appears, select Sort by. You should see another menu appear to the right.
  • Choose how you’d like the icons arranged, either by Name, Size, Item type, or Date modified.

How to remove a desktop icon

To remove a desktop icon, single-click it and press the Del.

  • How to create a desktop icon
  • How to create a desktop shortcut to a web page.
  • How to arrange desktop icons
  • How to remove a desktop icon

You may select multiple icons and remove them simultaneously by pressing Del, see: How to select or highlight multiple files and folders.

  • How to create icons for Microsoft Windows.
  • How to show or hide desktop shortcut icons.
  • Where can I find free icons?
  • How to associate a file with a program in Windows.
  • Why am I missing all icons on my Windows desktop?
  • Quickly increase and decrease the size of desktop icons.
  • Microsoft Windows help and support.