How to create a keyboard shortcut to access hidden Desktop icons and files?

Read time: 3 minutes

Introduction

The Software icons present in the Desktop make it easier to access the software without opening the applications menu. The icon shows the name of the software and user only require double-clicking to open it. When the number of icons on desktop increases, then it become tough to identify the correct icon and looks messier.

If you are also facing same situation, then you can hide the icons and clean the desktop. Using such method, you can make the desktop more manageable and accessible.

Keeping icons and essential files on desktop is very common habit of computer users. But with passing time, these icons and files increase and make the desktop messy, so regular cleaning of desktop is must. Idea of cleaning the desktop on regular basis is good but it does not solve the basic purpose due to which these files and icons are kept there.

So what to do in such a situation? Solution is simple- hide these desktop icons and files and create keyboard shortcut for them. This way you can not only keep the desktop clean but can access these icons and files easily whenever needed.

Hiding Desktop icons and files:

To hide desktop icons and files, follow these simple steps:

Right click on the Desktop, go to View.
Uncheck the option Show Desktop Icons.

Now all your desktop files and icons have concealed and you can view a clean desktop.

Creating a Desktop shortcut to open Desktop Folder:

To create a desktop shortcut to open desktop folder, follow these steps:

Click on Start button > (your username) > Desktop folder.
Right click on the Desktop folder and click Send to -> Desktop (Create Shortcut).

A desktop shortcut to open desktop folder has been created now.

Assigning a Custom keyboard Shortcut to open Hidden Desktop Icons and Files:

To assign custom keyboard shortcut to open hidden desktop icons and files, follow these steps:

Click on Start button > (your username) > Desktop folder
Right click the keyboard shortcut for desktop you have created. Click Properties.
Open Shortcuts tab and click on Shortcut Key box.
Now click ALT + CTRL + any letter key to create a custom shortcut and click OK.

Now you can get quick access to all your desktop icons and files without displaying them on desktop. Just press the combination of keys that you have assigned to these desktop icons and files and access them.

Conclusion

Due to mismanagement of software data present in computer, some corruption can occur. To save the data from the corruption, you should use Kernel for Windows Data Recovery software that will recover all the data including its icon for easy identification. After saving the data, the icon will also remain same.