Solved This PC - on Desktop

Steven · Dec 19, 2022

Hi, I have Windows 11 on a VM for testing. Wondering whether it is possible to place the " This PC " icon on the desktop. It is not associated with a license key. Is there any tool or RegEdit which will allow this? Thanks.

Ghot · Dec 19, 2022

Steven said:
Hi, I have Windows 11 on a VM for testing. Wondering whether it is possible to place the " This PC " icon on the desktop. It is not associated with a license key. Is there any tool or RegEdit which will allow this? Thanks.

I'm on Windows 10 at the moment, but do a Taskbar search for: "desktop icons"
That should bring up the Settings page that allows you to select "Desktop Icon Settings"
And that will bring up a page that looks like this...

barman58 · Dec 19, 2022

Confirming the above works on Windows 11

open Desktop Icon Settings and add a tick against Computer

This should add the correct icon to the desktop

Ghot · Dec 19, 2022

I've gotten into the habit of just searching for whatever setting I want.
It's the only way to keep up with MS. LOL

barman58 · Dec 19, 2022

Tru Dat

I think that Microsoft has changed the name of components and usually the icon way too often - I can understand the style change, It keeps the OS fresh

I used to use skinning software many years ago to create my own windows look - I also did a bit of corporate branding for companies, adding their logo, colours and personalised apps but windows changes too often to make it a viable option in this financial climate

Ghot · Dec 19, 2022

barman58 said:
Tru Dat

I think that Microsoft has changed the name of components and usually the icon way too often - I can understand the style change, It keeps the OS fresh

I used to use skinning software many years ago to create my own windows look - I also did a bit of corporate branding for companies, adding their logo, colours and personalised apps but windows changes too often to make it a viable option in this financial climate

That's a fact.
Finding certain settings these days is like playing Whack-a-Mole, but with a blindfold on.

And then, when you have found them... MS moves them again. LOL

ThrashZone · Dec 19, 2022

Hi,
I use many of the scripts here

Windows 11 Tweaks for GPU Benchmark

Updated for 22H2 - Install without Internet - When it prompts you to go online, press Shift+F10 and type "OOBE\BYPASSNRO" (that's an o not a zero at the end). After the automatic reboot you can install without network - Install on systems without TPM, UEFI or other requirements...

www.techpowerup.com

My computer to desktop is one of them but i just create a shortcut of my user folder instead unfortunately I can't drag it to taskbar because MS are freaking aholes and killed drag and drop to taskbar :boom:

Code:

rem Show My Computer on Desktop
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel /v "{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

ThrashZone · Dec 19, 2022

Another method is ditching my computer/ "this pc" and go to your user folder and right click it and use send to, create desktop shortcut

I use auto expand navigation pane to so it digs down already when opened
Way better than pinning a bunch of crap in home/ quick access nonsense

Auto expand just use this in command prompt

Code:

rem Expand left side tree of current folder on Explorer open
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v NavPaneExpandToCurrentFolder /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Steven · Dec 19, 2022

ThrashZone said:

Code:

rem Show My Computer on Desktop
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel /v "{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

This one works great! Now able to see " This PC " and " Recycle Bin " on the desktop. Thanks.

ThrashZone · Dec 19, 2022

Hi,
Yep lots of good cmd tweaks there on TPU benchmark scripts

I'm getting ready to use the taskbar bit again to get rid of all the stupid little lines and dots under open or pinned apps
I'm on a new upgrade from win-10 I didn't have office installed before when I upgraded so had to repeat the upgrade so I have it now.

Code:

rem Setup taskbar
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v TaskbarGlomming /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v TaskbarGlomLevel /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v TaskbarSmallIcons /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced /v ShowTaskViewButton /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f