February 4, 2022

How to Create Minimalist Desktop on Windows 10

People prefer to have a clear desktop or only the necessary icons or menus on the desktop. If the desktop has too many icons or shortcuts, then it isn’t easy to locate any desired document or shortcut. If you find it difficult to search for a document or shortcut on a cluttered desktop, you can create minimalist Windows 10 Desktop. We bring to you a perfect guide that will teach you how to create minimalist Desktop. So, continue reading!

How to Create Minimalist Desktop on Windows 10

How to Create Minimalist Desktop on Windows 10

Desktop is the first screen you see when you turn on your screen. If the desktop is cluttered with dozens of icons, then it would be frustrating and ugly. Following are the reasons to create minimalist Windows 10 Desktop.

  • A messy and cluttered Desktop will be time-consuming and also distract the attention.
  • The cluttered Desktop will also take time to search and load the application or program.

Minimalist Windows 10 will avoid distractions and also help you find the necessary documents quickly. Follow any of the methods below to create your desktop a minimalist one.

Method 1: Hide Desktop Icons

Windows allows you to hide or show desktop icons depending on your needs. Follow the below steps.

Option 1: Through Desktop

1. Press the Windows + D keys simultaneously to go to Desktop.

2. Right-click in an empty space on the Desktop.

3. Hover to the View option in the context menu.

Right-click on the desktop. Click View. How to Create Minimalist Desktop on Windows 10

4. Uncheck the Show desktop icons option.

Uncheck the option Show desktop icons.

Option 2: Through Desktop Icon Settings

1. Press Windows + I keys together to open Settings.

2. Select the Personalization setting.

Press Windows and I keys to open Settings. Click Personalization. How to Create Minimalist Desktop on Windows 10

3. Click on the Themes menu on the left pane.

Click Themes on the left pane

4. Then, click on the Desktop icon settings under Related Settings.

From the far right corner, click on Desktop icon settings link. How to Create Minimalist Desktop on Windows 10

5. Uncheck the Desktop icons you want to hide.

Uncheck the icon you want to hide. For instance, Recycle bin. Click Apply and then OK.

6. Click Apply and then OK to save changes.

Method 2: Delete Desktop Shortcuts

You can quickly delete the desktop’s unused and less frequently used programs or applications. Follow the steps below.

1. Navigate to the Desktop by hitting Windows + D keys together.

2. Right-click on the unused apps on the Desktop and select Delete.

Locate the unused program. Right click and click Delete. How to Create Minimalist Desktop on Windows 10

Also Read: How to Fix Icons on Desktop

Method 3: Use Small Taskbar Buttons

You can also personalize the size of the icons in the taskbar. This will help you create a minimalist Windows 10 desktop. Follow the steps below.

1. Press the Windows key, type taskbar settings, and click on Open.

open Taskbar settings from windows search menu

2. Switch On the toggle for Use small taskbar buttons.

switch on the toggle for use small tasbar buttons. How to Create Minimalist Desktop on Windows 10

Method 4: Turn Off System Icons

You can also remove the system tray icons from the taskbar. These system tray icons are located at the bottom left corner of the screen and next to the date and time. Follow the steps below.

1. Navigate to Taskbar Settings from Windows Search Menu.

2. Scroll down and click Turn system icons on or off under the Notification area.

Note: You can also select Select which icons appear on the taskbar option to make similar changes.

select Turn system icons on or off. How to Create Minimalist Desktop on Windows 10

3. Switch Off the toggle for all unnecessary icons.

switch off the toggle for all the system app icons in turn system icons on or off menu

Also Read: Fix Windows 10 Taskbar Icons Missing

You can also remove tiles from the Start menu if it is cluttered with too many applications. You will have to repeat the steps below to remove each application from the Start menu.

1. Press the Windows key.

2. Right-click on the unnecessary tile.

3. Select the Unpin from Start option.

Right-click on the unnecessary tile. Click Unpin from Start. How to Create Minimalist Desktop on Windows 10

Method 6: Unpin from Taskbar

You can also unpin the application from the taskbar as done in the Start menu. Follow the steps below.

1. Right-click the unnecessary application in the taskbar.

2. Select the Unpin from taskbar option.

Right click the unnecessary application in the taskbar. Select Unpin from taskbar.

Also Read: How to Use Windows 11 Empty Space on Taskbar

Method 7: Hide Taskbar System Icons

You can also hide the system tray icons in the taskbar. This will make more blank space and avoid cluttering to some extent. You can quickly move these icons to the overflow tray to make minimalist Desktop.

1. Click and drag the unnecessary application to the upward arrow.

drag the icons to the system tray or show hidden icons section in Taskbar. How to Create Minimalist Desktop on Windows 10

Method 8: Hide Search Feature

You can also hide the search feature bar in the taskbar. Follow the steps below.

1. Right-click on the Taskbar.

2. Hover to the Search option.

Right click on the taskbar. Select Search.

3. Now, select the Hidden option.

Check the option Hidden

Also Read: How to Enable Calculator Graphing Mode in Windows 10

Method 9: Disable Color

You can create a minimalist by disabling the colors of the title bar, the Start Menu, and the taskbar after organizing the desktop. Follow the steps below.

1. Go to the Personalization setting.

2. Click on the Colors menu on the left pane.

Click Colors on the left pane. How to Create Minimalist Desktop on Windows 10

3. Scroll down and uncheck the following options.

  • Start, Taskbar, and Action Center
  • Title bars and windows borders

Uncheck the both options Start, Taskbar, and Action Center and Title bars and windows borders in the Colors menu personalisation setting

Method 10: Auto Hide Taskbar

Apart from hiding the desktop icons, you can also hide the taskbar. The taskbar, which can usually be found at the bottom of the screen, gives you quick access to

  • Start menu
  • frequently used applications
  • currently running applications

Follow the given instructions to hide the taskbar to create minimalist Desktop:

1. Hit the Windows key. Type Taskbar settings and click on Open.

open Taskbar settings from windows search menu. How to Create Minimalist Desktop on Windows 10

2. Switch On the toggle for Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode.

switch On the toggle for automatically hide the Taskbar in desktop mode

Also Read: How to Pin Apps to Taskbar on Windows 11

Method 11: Set Minimalist Desktop Wallpaper

Once your desktop is clean and perfectly organized, set the perfect minimalist Desktop wallpaper. Ensure that you choose a wallpaper that is not distracting. Follow the steps below.

1. Right-click in an empty area on the Desktop.

2. Click on the Personalize option.

Right click on the empty area. Click Personalize.

3. Click Browse and select the desired wallpaper.

click on browse button in the personalise setting. How to Create Minimalist Desktop on Windows 10

4. Select the minimalist wallpaper from the storage and click on the Choose picture button.

Click Choose Picture

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What are the best tools to create minimalist desktop Windows 10?

Ans. TranslucentTB, Rainmeter, TaskBar Hider are some of the best third-party apps to create minimalist desktop Windows 10.

Q2. How to clear the cluttered browser?

Ans. To declutter the browser, you need to clear cookies and cache, disable unnecessary extensions or add-ons, delete unwanted bookmarks, and close unnecessarily opened tabs.

Recommended:

There are many tips and tricks to bring your desktop one step closer to true minimalist Windows 10 experience. We hope that this article would help you in creating the perfect minimalist Desktop. Send us your suggestions and feedback regarding this article in the comment section below.