How can I get the "This PC" Icon to show on the Desktop?

Solution 1:

As https://community.spiceworks.com/how_to/71900-show-my-computer-on-server-2012-desktop points out, the Desktop Icon Settings dialog is still available, and can be accessed through a rundll32 command:

rundll32 shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL desk.cpl,,0

Run rundll32 shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL desk.cpl,,0

This makes it possible to add back the usual array of Desktop icons, including This PC, the user's profile folder, etc.

Desktop Icon Settings

EDIT: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/6942-add-remove-default-desktop-icons-windows-10-a.html mentions that you can also just run desk.cpl ,5, which is much more memorable.

Either option works for me, doing quick tests in 2012R2 and Windows 10 (1903 and 2004).

Solution 2:

you can add the icons you want

  • go to Add Rule or Feature

  • press next without selecting anything till you get to the features dialog

  • select 'Desktop Experience' feature and install it (you will find it under 'user interfaces and infrastructure' )

  • restart your windows server
  • after restart right click on your desktop and choose 'Personalize' then select 'Change desktop icons'
  • add icons you want

Tags:

Desktop

Windows Server 2012 R2

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