The desktop – a virtual space familiar to every Windows user, often serves as the launchpad for many of our digital tasks. Adorned with icons, ranging from essential folders to crucial applications, it provides quick access to our most-used files and software. Yet, there are times when a clutter-free screen space is desired. Perhaps you’re preparing a presentation, capturing a screenshot, or simply seeking to offer a restricted view to specific users – there are countless reasons to opt for a minimalist desktop. While the default setup in Windows 11/10 does present users with iconic staples like the Recycle Bin, the OS also offers the flexibility to customize the desktop appearance. This risewindows article will serve as a comprehensive guide, walking you through the various methods to hide or entirely disable desktop icons, ensuring a pristine and distraction-free workspace. While these techniques will obscure icons from plain sight, they won’t inhibit access to the underlying applications or files. It’s also essential to note that certain settings might limit desktop functionalities, like right-clicking. However, rest assured, if you ever feel the need to bring back the familiar layout, reverting to the original settings is a straightforward affair.
How to Hide and Disable All Items on Windows 11 or 10 Desktop using Group Policy?
To hide and disable all items on Windows 11 or 10 desktop, follow these Group Policy steps:-
Step 1. First, open Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).
Step 2. Now, browse or navigate to the following path in the left sidebar:-
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Desktop
Step 3. Then, double-click on the “Hide and disable all items on the Desktop” setting on the right side.
Step 4. After that, select the Enabled option to hide and disable all desktop icons. It will also prevent right-clicking on the desktop.
Quick Note: If you want to revert the changes and want to unhide desktop icons or allow right-clicking on the desktop, select the Not Configured or Disabled option.
Step 5. Now, click Apply.
Step 6. Then, click OK.
Step 7. Finally, reboot your PC to apply the changes.
How to Hide and Disable All Items on Windows 11 or 10 Desktop through Registry Editor?
To hide and disable all items on Windows 11 or 10 desktop, follow these Registry Editor steps:-
Step 1. First, open Registry Editor.
Step 2. Now, navigate or steer for the following key in the left sidebar:-
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
Step 3. Then, right-click on the Explorer key and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Step 4. After that, name the newly created REG_DWORD to NoDesktop.
Step 5. Next, double-click on the NoDesktop REG_DWORD and set its “Value data” to the following:-
- 0: Unhide and enable editing on the desktop.
- 1: Hide and disable all items on the desktop. It also disables right-clicking on the desktop.
Step 6. Then, click OK.
Step 7. Lastly, reboot your computer to change the take effect.
