no desktop icons

[Gary Roach]

i'm working on a machine that has no desktop icons, even though there are
icons in the desktop folder. the desktop shows wallpaper but otherwise is
blank. the start menu, taskbar, and task tray all appear correctly. the os
is xp home sp1. thanks for any help.

 

[S.Sengupta]

Right click in Desktop, Properties, Desktop page, click Customise and on
the Web page make sure 'Lock Desktop ' is not checked.

Right click again, Arrange Icons, make sure 'Show Desktop Icons' is
checked.

regards,
ssg MS-MVP

 

[WTC]

i'm working on a machine that has no desktop icons, even though there
are icons in the desktop folder. the desktop shows wallpaper but
otherwise is blank. the start menu, taskbar, and task tray all appear
correctly. the os is xp home sp1. thanks for any help.

If S.Sengupta's reply does not help you with your problem, then this may
help you:

Check the "NoDesktop" value in the registry and set the value to 0.
[HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\Explorer]
and (maybe present)
[HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\Explorer]

If you have XP Pro, use the Group Policy (gpedit.msc)

User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Desktop
Set "Hide and disable all items on the desktop" to Not Configured.

 

[Kelly]

That should do it. If not and in addition:

Make sure you are viewing the correct user Desktop Folder.

Added info:

Restore Taskbar and Desktop to Default Functionality (Line 164)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com