The icons used in the Windows operating system for quick access to files, applications, and system components are part of the operating system's graphical interface. Like other design elements, they can be changed or removed from the interface altogether. Sometimes these changes lead to a point at which the question arises, how to return everything to its original state.
It is necessary
OS Windows 7 or Vista
Instructions
Step 1
In the Windows OS documentation, “standard icons” refers to a limited number of desktop icons that relate to the “Network”, “Computer”, “Trash”, “User Files”, and “Control Panel” system components. If the problem is that they have disappeared from the desktop, you can return everything to its place through the "Personalization" component. Right-click the background image of the desktop and select the item with this name from the pop-up context menu.
Step 2
Open the system icons settings window by clicking on the "Change desktop icons" link - it is located in the left column of the personalization window. In the upper section of the only tab in the window that opens, there are five checkboxes, each of which is responsible for displaying one of the system icons - check the boxes that you need and click OK.
Step 3
If the display of all or most of the OS graphical interface icons has changed and you want to return their default appearance, this can also be done through the "Personalization" component. Open it as described in the first step, and then scroll to the bottom of the list of available themes. You need a section titled “Basic (Simplified and High Contrast Themes)” at the very bottom of the table. This section should have a theme called "Classic" - select it, and the OS will use the most standard icons available to it.
Step 4
There is a more radical method to return the standard icons - to roll back the system to the moment when such icons were still used in it. It should be used with caution, as there is a high probability of losing valuable information and programs added recently. But if you decide to use this method, press the Win button and type "ress" from the keyboard. In the main menu that opens, a list of links to programs and files will appear, the very first line of which will be "System Restore" - select it, and the recovery wizard will start.
Step 5
Select one of the restore points from the list of available ones. Be guided by the dates - pick the one when, in your opinion, the icons still had the desired appearance. Then click the Finish button and follow the instructions that appear on the screen.
