To put This PC on your desktop in Windows 10, right-click the desktop and choose Personalize, then click Themes > Desktop icon settings. Check Computer and click OK. The This PC icon appears on your desktop right away. You can also drag This PC from File Explorer’s left pane onto the desktop to create a shortcut.
Method 1: Turn on the This PC desktop icon
- Right-click an empty area of the desktop and choose Personalize. You can also go to Settings > Personalization.
- Click Themes on the left.
- Under Related Settings on the right (or at the bottom), click Desktop icon settings.
- Check Computer. This is the This PC icon.
- Click OK.
In the same window, you can also add Recycle Bin, Control Panel, Network, and User’s Files (your user folder) to the desktop. To change an icon’s picture, select it in the preview and click Change Icon.
Can’t find Desktop icon settings? Press Windows + R, type desk.cpl ,,5, and press Enter to open it directly.
Method 2: Drag This PC onto the desktop
- Open File Explorer with Windows + E.
- Drag This PC from the left pane onto the desktop.
This creates a shortcut, marked with a small arrow. It works the same way, but it’s a regular shortcut, so you can put it in any folder or pin it to Start.
Method 3: Pin This PC to the taskbar or Start
- Start menu: In File Explorer, right-click This PC and choose Pin to Start.
- Taskbar: Create a desktop shortcut with Method 2, then right-click it and choose Pin to taskbar. Or set File Explorer to open to This PC (below) and pin File Explorer.
Make File Explorer open to This PC
If you mostly want quick access to your drives, have File Explorer open to This PC instead of Quick access:
- Open File Explorer, click View > Options.
- Set Open File Explorer to This PC and click OK.
Now pressing Windows + E opens This PC.
Desktop icons not showing?
- Right-click the desktop and choose View > Show desktop icons. If it’s unchecked, all desktop icons are hidden.
- If Windows isn’t activated, the Personalization settings are locked. Use
desk.cpl ,,5from the Run box instead. - Tablet mode hides the desktop. Turn it off in Action Center.
For other items, see creating a desktop shortcut in Windows 10.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called “Computer” in the settings?
Older versions of Windows called it Computer or My Computer. Windows 10 renamed it This PC, but the setting kept the old name.
How do I rename the This PC icon?
Right-click it on the desktop, choose Rename, and type a new name, like My Computer.
How do I remove This PC from the desktop?
Uncheck Computer in Desktop icon settings, or delete the shortcut if you made one by dragging.
Does this work in Windows 11?
Yes. In Windows 11, go to Settings > Personalization > Themes > Desktop icon settings and check Computer.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.