How to add This PC, Control Panel, Network and more to the Windows 10 Desktop

Microsoft, in their infinite wisdom, has decided that after cluttering the desktop/start screen with 10″ tiles (kidding, kind of) on Windows 8, they’re going to take a much more “Spartan” approach (no pun intended) with Windows 10. I guess they figure the only thing your really need on your desktop is the Recycle bin..and then maybe not even that.

If you’re a Windows purist, you might wish they still called it My Computer, My Pictures, My Documents, My Apple Pies, etc. But they don’t. However, with our twisted help, you can put numerous system icons back on your desktop and rename them whatever you want. For instance I renamed my Recycle Bin “Darcy”  Don’t believe me? Ha! Doubt me, will ya?

Look up, I tells ya! I renamed “This PC” to “My Computer” out of my nostalgic feelings for the good old days; I renamed “Recycle bin” to “Darcy” as a little payback for my low wages and the constant tongue lashings she inflicts upon my weary carcass.

So how exactly do you get all these old time icons back your Windows 10 desktop? It’s as easy as right-clicking your desktop (on an open space please) and choosing Personalize.

In the Personalization dialog which appears, click on “Themes” then click on “Desktop icon settings” (see below):

When you do you’ll see you have a choice of Computer (This PC), Recycle Bin (mine is called Darcy), Network, Control Panel, etc. See? See? Look below, I tells ya!

Yours won’t be called My Computer or Darcy, you’ll have to rename them on the desktop. You can’t rename them from the little box. But once they are on your desktop, right-click on one of them, click “Rename” and type in any name you want, even “Sweetapple” or “Ofenhauser” .