How to Restore Icons in Windows XP

Sometimes you turn on your computer after it shuts down incorrectly and the icons on the desktop are either missing or look different. You shouldn't worry too much about it. The operating system hasn't reverted to an earlier version. It's just doing what's best to recover from a shock. To replace those ugly prehistoric Windows icons from the 1990s with the pretty little XP icons, follow these instructions.

Things You'll Need

• The computer with the missing or altered icons

Instructions

Bringing Those Icons Back

1. Right-click on the desktop, and a drop-down list will appear. Click on "Properties."

2. In the "Display Properties" screen, click on the "Desktop" tab.

3. On the "Desktop" screen, click on "Customize Desktop..."

4. In the box that says "Desktop Icons," check each of the icons you want displayed on your desktop.

5. In the box below the "Desktop Icons" box, click on each icon and you can either customize the icon by clicking on "Change Icon..." or you can restore the icon by clicking on "Restore Default."

6. Click on "OK" to close the "Customize Desktop..." screen and return to the "Desktop" tab on the "Display Properties" screen.

7. Click on "Apply" and wait until the changes take effect, and then click on "OK" to close the "Display Properties" screen. Your icons should be restored.