To change how your items appear in File Explorer, select View on the ribbon and choose between showing icons, lists, details, and more. To reduce the space between files, select View > Compact view. To find relevant files from your PC and the cloud, search from File Explorer Home.

If your desktop doesn't show any icons, right-click (or press and hold on a touch device) on the desktop and select View. Ensure that Show desktop icons is checked. If not, select it. If your desktop shows icons, but the Recycle Bin is missing, verify that it's not disabled in your desktop settings.

In the For developers window under File Explorer, select Show settings next to Change settings to show hidden and system files. In the File Explorer Options window that opens, under Advanced settings:, select Show hidden files, folders, or drives.

Use Windows Search in the taskbar or File Explorer to quickly locate files, apps, and settings. Integrated search helps return relevant results quickly, reducing time spent navigating folders.

Learn how to use Windows File Recovery app to restore or recover lost files that have been deleted and are not in the recycle bin.

Describes how to use the System File Checker tool to troubleshoot missing or corrupted system files in Windows.

This article explains how to personalize your Windows desktop by customizing default desktop icons, adding shortcuts for quick access, resizing icons to match your preferences, and showing or hiding desktop icons as needed to maintain a clean, efficient workspace.

Get tips to help you find and restore lost or missing files, photos, or folders in OneDrive.

If you don't know what information the hidden rows, columns or worksheets contain, close the Document Inspector, unhide the hidden rows, columns, or worksheets, and then review their contents.

In Windows, users can create ZIP files via the right‑click menu or File Explorer tools. Contents can be extracted using “Extract All” or by dragging files out of the archive. Zipped folders behave like regular folders but may affect encryption and compression outcomes.