Windows 8 and the Missing Desktop

trclac · 11-12-2012, 09:28 PM

I made three mistakes over the weekend -- 1) built my in-laws a new computer; 2) installed Win 8 Pro (64 bit); 3) let them use it. After browsing around the new OS, my mother-in-law said the desktop icons (in the "classic" desktop that is accessible from the Win 8 tiles) "just disappeared". I used the usual techniques to show them that I would use in Win 7, to no avail.

The desktop icons and shortcuts exist on the drive; I see them in Windows Explorer. But the desktop, itself, is empty. It's like looking at the Win 7 desktop with nothing on it.

She swears she has no idea how the icons disappeared. (Yeah, right.) I went through all the steps I could think of, even determining whether she tried to place them on a "second monitor" (which they don't have), but I can't seem to get them to show up on the desktop. The only way to launch any of the shortcuts is by opening Windows Explorer and launching them from there.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

DirkGently1 · 11-13-2012, 01:13 AM

Right click Desktop, View, Show Desktop Icons.

ViRGE · 11-13-2012, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirkGently1

Right click Desktop, View, Show Desktop Icons.

I've used Windows for nearly as many years as there has been a Windows, and I never once noticed that option.

DirkGently1 · 11-13-2012, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ViRGE

I've used Windows for nearly as many years as there has been a Windows, and I never once noticed that option.

As i've never in the history of Windows had the Recycle bin enabled, i've always used that option to hide all icons from my Desktop. I prefer it devoid of everything except my Wallpaper.

xSauronx · 11-13-2012, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirkGently1

As i've never in the history of Windows had the Recycle bin enabled, i've always used that option to hide all icons from my Desktop. I prefer it devoid of everything except my Wallpaper.

i used to be that way, but over the last couiple of years ive gotten to keep a browser, one note and wmp open...i can barely see the wallpaper and i have no fucking idea how many icons are on my desktop now. a bunch, i notice only when i reboot or upgrade chrome.

mikeymikec · 11-13-2012, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ViRGE

I've used Windows for nearly as many years as there has been a Windows, and I never once noticed that option.

ROFL - not at you, with you

I hate it when that happens, that I consider myself to be a seasoned Windows user and someone points out something I feel I should have known that I had no idea existed

Start + R was one I wished I had known much sooner, though admittedly I always did Start then R which usually did the trick (until Vista came along or someone had something starting with the letter R on the Start menu). I am sure there have been other ones that would have made better examples, but I guess you know what I mean.

To be fair to ViRGE I think that option first appeared in Vista, maybe XP.

trclac · 11-13-2012, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirkGently1

Right click Desktop, View, Show Desktop Icons.

Amazing. I could have sworn I had already done this, but when I clicked View, sure enough Show Desktop Icons was unchecked. Can't imagine how I missed that, since I tried virtually everything else. Anyway, I really appreciate the suggestion. Now, next time they screw up their new machine, they're on their own.

GrumpyMan · 11-13-2012, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirkGently1

As i've never in the history of Windows had the Recycle bin enabled, i've always used that option to hide all icons from my Desktop. I prefer it devoid of everything except my Wallpaper.

I do the same. I have a great collection of wallpapers, so I hide all the icons and have some gadgets in the background too. And I love Aero w/the Object Plus toolbar. That's all I want to see on my desktop.