Originally published at: Fix: Desktop Icons are Missing in Windows 10
Windows 10 was launched months ago, marking a significant change in UI over time. In Windows 10, Microsoft eliminated a number of GUI bugs found in Windows 8. The reintroduction of the start menu, a feature desperately requested by users, was a major change. In addition to the start menu, numerous modifications in the GUI…
This worked for me as well.
Try this:
“right clicked, clicked on “View” and “Auto arrange icons” - and out of nothing they reappeared! Haven’t seen this mentioned anywhere, but it is worth a try for anybody still having this problem…”
You are a hero!
ur advice really helped me
I had the same problem. I followed all advice I had found, nothing helped. Everything seemed to be as it should, but in a moment of desperation I right clicked, clicked on “View” and “Auto arrange icons” - and out of nothing they reappeared! Haven’t seen this mentioned anywhere, but it is worth a try for anybody still having this problem…
Right click the desktop, highlight view, then click at the bottom “show desktop icons”.
Thanks! Method #1 worked. My cats are always sitting on my mouse, and I guess this time they changed some settings. 
any other methods?
If Lennart’s method didn’t help then try this.
1. Kill “Windows Explorer” Instances from Task Manager then type following commands in CMD =>
CD /d %userprofile%AppDataLocal
DEL IconCache.db /a
EXIT
2. Start “Windows Explorer” from Task Manager.
Thanks mate! I’ve been looking for this for so long!
Thank you, I was having a mini panic attack thinking my pc broke A stupid update did this. Wellp maybe it fixed the disappearing mouse pointer problem, hope so. (I have no driver to roll back a fresh install of windows, weee.) WHY do they do this? What evil compels Microsoft to dink around with our stuff? I don’t care i am saving for a mac even if I end up hating it at least they won’t pull this stuff. They better not…
just encountered this problem and your solution helped. thanks!!
This worked for me!