How to Fix the “This PC” Folder Missing in Windows If the “This PC” icon has vanished from your Windows desktop or file manager, you can easily restore it using built-in system settings. This common issue usually happens after a Windows update, a system theme change, or an accidental deletion.
Here are the fastest, most effective methods to get “This PC” back on your screen. Method 1: Enable the Icon via Desktop Icon Settings
The most common reason “This PC” disappears is that the desktop icon visibility toggle was switched off. Open Settings: Press the Windows Key + I simultaneously.
Navigate to Personalization: Click on Personalization in the left menu, then select Themes.
Find Desktop Icons: Scroll down to the “Related settings” section and click Desktop icon settings.
Check Computer: In the new window, check the box next to Computer. Apply Changes: Click Apply and then OK. Method 2: Configure File Explorer to Open to “This PC”
If “This PC” is missing from the sidebar or doesn’t show up when you launch File Explorer, you need to change your default landing page. Open File Explorer: Press Windows Key + E.
Access Options: Click the three dots (…) at the top menu bar and select Options.
Change Open To Setting: Under the General tab, look for “Open File Explorer to:”.
Select This PC: Change the dropdown menu from “Home” (or “Quick access”) to This PC. Save: Click Apply and OK. Method 3: Pin “This PC” to the Start Menu or Taskbar
If you prefer accessing your storage drives quickly without cluttering your desktop, you can pin the folder. Search for it: Open the Start menu and type This PC.
Right-Click: Right-click on the This PC app in the search results.
Pin It: Choose Pin to Start or Pin to taskbar depending on your preference. Method 4: Run a System File Check (SFC)
If the icon disappeared due to corrupted system files or a glitching File Explorer interface, Windows can repair itself. Open Command Prompt: Type cmd into the Windows search bar.
Run as Admin: Right-click “Command Prompt” and select Run as administrator. Execute Command: Type sfc /scannow and hit Enter.
Restart: Wait for the verification to reach 100%, then restart your computer.
If you need help with a specific version of Windows like Windows 11 or Windows 10, let me know. I can also help you fix issues with network drives or missing hard drives inside “This PC”.
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