Personalizing our computer makes it easier and more pleasant for us to use the device. Luckily, Windows offers us a wide variety of options when it comes to doing this customization work. As an example, let's see how the “this team” icon in both versions 10 and 11 of this operating system.
You will see that it is very easy to have on hand again the icon that has replaced the classic “My Computer” or “Desktop” that we saw in previous versions of the Microsoft operating system.
What is the “This computer” icon for?
The icon is a visual representation of our computer and its main storage devices, such as hard drives, solid state drives (SSD) and optical drives such as CD/DVD readers. In versions prior to Windows 10, it is what we knew as “My Computer”.
By clicking on “This computer” you have access to essential functions and resources for your system, for example:
Browsing files and folders
From here you can see the different storage units that your computer has. This way you can be aware of how memory consumption is going and assess if you should make any adjustments and it is time to start Delete old files that are no longer useful.
Device management
Through this section you see and manage all the hardware devices that you have connected to your computer. Useful if you want to make adjustments to the printer, graphics cards, etc.
System properties
Here you will find important information about the computer, such as the version of Windows you have installed, the type of processor your computer has, or the amount of RAM memory. It is a way to be aware of the most technical data of the device.
Quick access to important folders
In this team" We also find shortcuts to common and important folders such as “Documents” or “Downloads”, so you can quickly and easily find your most important files.
In short, the “This computer” icon is the door that gives us access to very important functions and resources within our operating system, so it is a tool that we must know and use well.
This icon no longer appears by default
If you are a Windows 10 or 11 user, you may have noticed that this icon no longer appears by default on the desktop. The reason is that Microsoft thought that eliminating it was a way to improve, Simplify and modernize the user interface. So they changed the name of the folder and “saved” putting the icon. But there is a trick that helps us always have it at hand. You just have to follow these steps:
- Right click on any empty space on the desktop.
- In the context menu choose "Personalize".
- Follow the path: Settings > Themes > Desktop icon settings.
- A new window will open in which we will go to: Desktop Icons > Computer > Apply > OK.
This trick works for you in both Windows 10 and Windows 11. In addition, it is useful for bringing to your desktop any other functional shortcuts that you want to have at hand, such as the Recycle Bin.
Windows 11 has been optimized to the maximum and the desktop remains very “clean” by default. but some of us miss icons and shortcuts to features that we use almost daily. Well, with the steps we have seen, we can fill our desktop with all icons that we like and need. It will no longer have such a refined aesthetic, but it will be much more useful to us.
Why should you customize your computer desktop?
All operating systems seem to have joined the trend of offering us workspaces that are as minimalist as possible. In which there is hardly anything to distract our attention.
Although for some people this can be very useful, for others it becomes a waste of time having to look for alternative routes to reach functionalities and tools that they use daily. That's why, It is best to customize your equipment.
Spending a few minutes leaving it just the way you need it, brings you benefits like these:
Improve your productivity
Because you get your computer adapted to your workflow and your specific needs. Having shortcuts on the desktop to the applications and files you use most.
Aesthetics and personal expression
By customizing the desktop you are making the computer more "yours". You get it to better reflect your personality and your aesthetic preferences.
The more you identify yourself as wallpaper, icons, themes and widgets, the more comfortable you will feel using the equipment.
Makes navigation easier
None of us like to waste time searching for files and applications. If you want your user experience to be more efficient and less frustrating, customization will make it easier for you to navigate all the apps and tools you may need.
Space optimization
The most current operating systems allow us to customize the icons to the maximum, so that we can choose from the size to its position. This gives us the opportunity to get more out of the screen.
Thus, we can organize the icons in the way that seems most practical to us, without having to give up a certain order on the screen.
More accessibility
Without a doubt, by customizing our equipment we are gaining accessibility. Because we make it fit our tastes and needs, so that we can locate the information that is useful to us at a glance.
As you have seen, there are all advantages. If you miss the “My Computer” icon, It's time for you to upgrade to the “This PC” version, which has the same functionality as the previous one. Although Windows has removed it from the start screen, we can bring it back with the simple trick we have seen. So don't think twice and put the “This computer” icon in a clearly visible place on your screen, so that you can access it every time you need it.