Solved File Explorer stopped showing This PC, Network etc.


mikolajek

mikolajek

Well-known member
Local time
7:17 AM
Posts
47
Location
Warsaw, PL
OS
Win11 Pro 25H2
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 My Computer

At a glance

Win11 Pro 25H2
OS
Win11 Pro 25H2
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Dell XPS14 9440
Monitor(s) Displays
2 x Dell UltraSharp U2718Q 4K
Screen Resolution
4K
Keyboard
Dell KB900
Mouse
Razer Cobra Pro
Internet Speed
1 Gbps
Other Info
Dell WD22TB4 dock
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 My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Win11 Pro RTM Version 24H2 Build 26100.4202Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz12GB
    OS
    Win11 Pro RTM Version 24H2 Build 26100.4202
    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

  • At a glance

    Win11 Pro RTM Version 24H2 Build 26100.4202Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz16GBOnboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA a...
    Operating System
    Win11 Pro RTM Version 24H2 Build 26100.4202
    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 My Computers

System One System Two Other systems

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
  • ASUS VivoBook 'Lite' ~ Windows 11 Home
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 My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProRyzen 7 5700 X3D64 GB DDR4 3600mhz Gskill Ripjaws VRTX 4070 Super , 12GB VRAM Asus EVO Overclock
    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
    4TB Western Digital 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
    Keyboard
    Logitech G213
    Mouse
    Logitech G203
    Internet Speed
    1.2gbps Fiber 😎

  • At a glance

    Chrome OSIntel Pentium Quad Core4GB LPDDR4
    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 My Computers

System One System Two Other systems

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
  • ASUS VivoBook 'Lite' ~ Windows 11 Home
That's what I needed, it works flawlessly!

Thanks a lot to all of you for your tips!
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win11 Pro 25H2
OS
Win11 Pro 25H2
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Dell XPS14 9440
Monitor(s) Displays
2 x Dell UltraSharp U2718Q 4K
Screen Resolution
4K
Keyboard
Dell KB900
Mouse
Razer Cobra Pro
Internet Speed
1 Gbps
Other Info
Dell WD22TB4 dock
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