Desktop Icon Settings Windows 11

By default, Microsoft doesn't allow users to change the distance between desktop icons on the Windows 11 desktop, but an edit of the Windows Registry will do the trick.

Regardless of whether you have upgraded to Microsoft Windows 11 or are still using Windows 10, the Windows desktop is where you are most likely to start your computer session. For many users, the shortcut icons that populate the Windows desktop are the primary gateway to their productivity applications, games, preferred web browser, etc. The desktop is where their day begins and ends.

SEE: Checklist: PC and Mac migrations (TechRepublic Premium)

Personalizing Windows 11 desktop shortcut icons is limited. Users can use a grid to keep icons orderly and they can sort icons based on name, size or modified date, but little else. By default, the vertical and horizontal distance between each desktop icon when using the grid option is fixed and unchangeable. Unless, of course, you know where those settings reside in the Windows Registry file.

This how-to tutorial shows how to change the vertical and horizontal distance between Windows 11 desktop icons by editing the Windows Registry file.

How to change the icon spacing on the Windows 11 desktop

As you can see in Figure A, while we can change the size of the Windows 11 desktop shortcut icons by right-clicking on an empty part of the desktop, we cannot change the vertical and horizontal distances between the icons. We will have to edit the Windows Registry file to achieve that personalization change.

Figure A

Disclaimer: Editing the Windows Registry file is a serious undertaking. A corrupted Windows Registry file could render your computer inoperable, requiring a reinstallation of the Windows operating system and potential loss of data. Back up the Windows Registry file and create a valid restore point before you proceed.

To make our edits in the Windows 11 Registry File, we will type “regedit” into the Windows 11 search tool. From the results, choose the Regedit app and then use the left-hand window to navigate to this key, as shown in Figure B.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics

Figure B

When you select the WindowsMetrics folder in the left-hand navigation window, you will see a long list of parameters in the right-hand window. Within that list you will see an item labeled IconSpacing, that is the setting for horizontal distance between desktop icons. The item labeled IconVerticalSpacing is, obviously, for vertical distance.

The default setting for those parameters in our example is -1128 pixels. When you double-click those items, you will be able to change the values to a setting of your choosing, as shown in Figure C.

Figure C

Before you go wild making changes to these icon distance settings, I would suggest you proceed with caution. Moving those desktop icons too close together may lead to overlap and run counter to your likely purpose of more efficiency and a better user experience. On the other hand, setting the distance between icons too large could force icons off the desktop, rendering them unusable. Be judicious in your changes.

When you are satisfied with your personalization changes, exit out of the registry editor.

Windows 11 has a redesigned interface that makes everything easier. The new modern look improves accessibility and brings a new era for the world's most popular operating system.

There have been quite a few changes to the user interface, and routine tasks that you may have been accustomed to on Windows 10 or earlier might have changed in Windows 11. Read on as we detail how you can add icons to the desktop in Windows 11.

How to Add Icons to the Desktop in Windows 11

There are a couple of different ways you can add a new icon to the Windows 11 desktop: either through the Start menu or the taskbar.

Adding an Icon via the Start Menu

To add an icon via the Start menu:

1. Launch the Start menu by clicking on the Windows icon in the taskbar or pressing the Windows key from the keyboard.
2. Type the name of the program you want to add to the Windows 11 desktop.
3. Right-click on the Best match and click on Open file location; a new File Explorer window should pop up.
4. Now, select the program icon and then right-click to pop up the context menu.

5. Click on Show more options to expand the right-click context menu. You should now see a menu similar to the one in Windows 10.
6. Now click Send to and then finally click on Desktop (create shortcut).
7. The program icon will now be visible on your Windows 11 desktop.

Related: Windows 11's Widgets Are Exciting: Here's How to Use Them

You can repeat the above steps for any program such as Google Chrome, Skype, Microsoft Word, etc. It can also work for system programs such as the Control Panel and Windows Terminal.

Adding an Icon via the Taskbar

Another method of adding a new desktop icon in Windows 11 is as follows:

1. Click on the magnifying glass icon from the taskbar to launch the Windows Search flyout.
2. Type the name of the program you want to add to the desktop in the search bar.

3. Right-click on the Best match and then click on Open file location.
4. In the File Explorer window that opens, select the program icon from the available list.
5. You can now either drag and drop the icon to the desktop or right-click the program file and click on the clipboard icon to copy the file (you can also use Ctrl + C to copy).
6. Once you've copied the file, click on an empty section of the desktop and press Ctrl + V from the keyboard.
7. You have now successfully added a new icon to your desktop.

Related: How to Customize Any Icon in Windows 10

While installing a new program, you can also check the Add shortcut to desktop option from the installation wizard to add the new program directly to the desktop.

How to Make Desktop Icons Visible in Windows 11

If you do not see any icons on your desktop and want to show the different available desktop icons, then carry out the following steps:

1. Right-click in an empty space on the desktop, and a context menu will pop up.
2. Hover to View and then click on Show desktop icons.

If you had previously hidden the desktop icons, they should now be visible. Otherwise, you might want to add a new icon to the desktop.

How to Hide Desktop Icons in Windows 11

If you want a clean desktop without cluttered desktop icons, you may want to hide all of the desktop icons.

Here's how you can hide or disappear all of the desktop icons in Windows 11:

1. Right-click in an empty corner of the desktop, and a context menu will pop up.
2. Hover over or click on View, and from the flyout menu, uncheck the Show desktop icons option.
3. All of your desktop icons are now hidden, and you can enjoy a clutter-free desktop.

Managing Your Desktop Icons in Windows 11

Adding a new icon on the Windows 11 desktop is easy and straightforward. Microsoft's new operating system is made for comfort and ease, which goes tenfold for the new and improved Windows Settings app.