Nobody likes a cluttered desktop with icons and folders looking straight into your soul as you’re about to start a new movie. But how to get rid of the icons on your laptop? It’s not difficult at all, though the method depends on which icons you want to remove from your life (desktop).
You can either opt to remove all icons, or specific ones. Some might even want to disable those icons before hiding because they’ve had too much.
To make these icon-related procedures easier for you, we have curated this guide on how to hide icons on your laptop. So, feel free to make full use of it.
Steps to Hide All Icons on Laptop
Go to Desktop:
The first step to hiding all icons on your laptop is to start it and refresh it two to three times. Refreshing can help if your laptop hangs or runs too slow due to outdated software. Plus, refreshing before deleting the icons will ensure smooth operations and support other functions.
Go to View:
The next step is to click on ‘view’ in the pop-up menu. To access or navigate the pop-up menu, you'll have to click right on any space on the desktop. Now, the right-click method works for most versions but versions like Windows 10 have a separate option. In the bottom-right end of your desktop, you’ll see a “Show Desktop” button, simply click on it and it’ll lead you to ‘View’.
Go to Show Desktop Icons:
The first-most option in the pop-up menu - -view opens into six sub-options. The first three are related to the sizes of the icons, which are large, medium, and small. Then, there’s an option to auto-arrange them which allows swapping places of the icons. The fifth option allows you to align them to the grid. The last option of ‘Show Desktop Icons’ concerns us.
Click and Vanish:
By default mode, the ‘Show Desktop Icons’ option remains checkmarked. Click on this option once to uncheck it so that your icons are not decorating anymore. This last step does not remove the icon programs completely from your desktop and you can always bring them back.
Steps to Hide System Icons on Laptop
Prep Your Desktop:
Regardless of whether you want to hide all icons or specific ones, the first step will always be refreshing the system. Moreover, if you have already been running programs or had multiple tabs open, we recommend closing them. By closing all tabs, you’ll notice improved performance, even while replacing the icons.
Go to Themes:
The second step is to go to ‘Themes’ which is in the ‘Personalize’ added menu. You can access the added menu of ‘Personalize’ by opting for it in the pop-up desktop menu. Simply click right on the laptop and you’ll find it in the last row. The ‘Themes’ option basically leads you to a settings panel which is easy to navigate and control.
Go to Desktop Icon Settings:
In the Themes column, you’ll find multiple headings including one which states ‘ Related Settings’. Underneath you’ll find three options namely, Desktop Icon Settings, High Contrast Settings, and Sync Your Settings. Click on the first option and you’ll find yourself in a new window where you can select icons to remove. Simply click to remove the checkmark from icons you want to hide and that’s how this task is completed.
Steps to Hide and Disable Icons on Laptop
Go to Run Command Dialogue Box:
The Run Command Dialogue Box is a go-to for accessing all Windows Settings. You can open the Run Command Dialogue Box either by searching it in the search bar or by using the shortcut key. Window+R is the easiest way to the Dialogue Box.
Go to Local Group Policy Editor:
The Dialogue Box is actually a little rectangular box with a text bar in it where you have to enter the command for the box to run. For the Local Group Policy Editor, enter the code gpedit.msc. The Local Group Policy Editor has a console-like display where you can manage the various Window settings.
Go to User Configuration:
On the left-hand side of the console, you’ll find two headings; Computer Configuration and User Configuration. Go to the latter and select Administrative Templates, it will further lead you to an option by the name ‘Desktop’.
Click and Disable:
Click on it and it will lead you to a series of options. On the right corner, you’ll find a ‘Hide and Disable’ button which disables all of them. Click on it and they will be disabled and hidden for good.
Why You Should Hide Icons on Your Laptop?
Generally speaking, hiding icons on your laptop doesn’t serve a purpose like efficiency, fast processing, or anything of the sort. Icons are a shortcut to programs instead of going the usual route of search>program name>wait to load.
However, where you have a lot of programs installed on your system, you wouldn’t want all of them to grace your desktop screen. The main reason is the clutter and messy appearance. So you should try hiding icons that are not frequently in use and maintain a clean, minimal display.
Conclusion:
Icons are the life of a desktop but they can be the main reason that drains you to open your laptop. Minimum or no tabs can help you in not get distracted as soon as you switch on your system.
And now that you know how to perform this task, you can stay free from the fuss. It’s pretty simple after all; three to four steps and your screen is bright as new. This how-to hide icons on your laptop guide can help you remove different tabs in different methods, so try the one that suits you best.
