How to Make Icons Disappear & Reappear on a Screen

Change which icons are visible to lessen clutter or increase security.

By default, icons on a computer screen are visible to any user who opens the correct folder. Even files protected with a password can be seen by other users. Depending on the settings, users can also manipulate, move or delete important files. Making icons and files disappear from the screen provides an extra layer of computer security or simply makes the screen less cluttered for aesthetic or organizational reasons. You can use the "Hidden" property to hide any icon from within Windows. To change the visibility of Desktop icons only, use the Windows context menus or use a third-party software for additional customization.

Instructions

Hidden Files

1. Right-click on an icon or file you wish to make invisible and choose "Properties." In the Attributes section, check the "Hidden" box and click "OK." Depending on the Folder Options, the file may disappear or appear as a faded icon.

2. Open the Control Panel and select "Folder Options." You may need to switch to classic view to see this option.

3. Scroll down the the "Hidden files and folders" section in the "View" tab. Select a radio button and click "OK" to save the changes. The "Do not show hidden files and folders" option will make any items marked as "Hidden" disappear. Make the items visible again by selecting "Show hidden files and folders."

Hide Desktop Files

1. Right-click on the Desktop and select the "View" option. In some older versions of Windows this option is not available. For these versions, select the "Arrange icons by" option instead.

2. Uncheck the "Show Desktop Icons" to make all items on the desktop disappear.

3. Open the menu again and replace the check mark to make the items reappear.

Fences Desktop

1. Download the Fences software from the Stardock website (see Resources). The free version includes all necessary features to hide icons on the desktop. Save the file and open it to install the software.

2. Open Fences and navigate to the "Tools" menu. Ensure the "Hide/show desktop icons when desktop is double clicked" box is checked.

3. Double-click on the desktop to make all desktop icons disappear. Double-click again to make the icons reappear.

4. Right-click on a desktop icon and select "Exclude this icon from Fences' quick-hide" to keep the icon visible, even when other icons are not.

References

• Windows: Show Hidden Program or System Files
• Windows: Show, hide, or resize desktop icons
• Stardock: Fences Versions

Resources

• Stardock: Fences