How to Enable Legacy Desktop Icons on Windows 11
Beginning with Windows 8, if I recall correctly, Microsoft has been trying to make Windows a hybrid OS for both the touchscreen devices (e.g. tablets) and computers with traditional displays (e.g. laptops and desktops). It is only a personal opinion, and quite unfounded one at that, but I don’t believe Windows 8 excelled at either; hence, why iPad is still the staple of tablets. Its legacy has survived even to this day on Windows 11.
Instructions
The icons in question are specifically from previous Windows versions (e.g. This PC, user folder, Network, Control Panel, Recycle Bin) that came as default.
- In Settings, navigate to Personalization > Themes.
- Under Related Settings, click Desktop icon Settings. Toggle the ones you need.
Afterthoughts
Although it is tucked away, it is refreshing to finally see a GUI settings page. It is a good start. However, these are the settings perhaps an initialization wizard should have setup as part of the Windows experience. Desktop environment, as in the icons on the desktop, hasn’t changed all that much; if it isn’t broken, why fix it. The other problem I inevitably see with the new icon-less approach is showing items as icons are still less accessible for productivity. All in all, I’m not sure what removing legacy icons is supposed to achieve.