Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →On Windows, right-click an app’s desktop shortcut and select Delete, or select it and press Delete. This removes the shortcut, not the installed app. If you want to keep every desktop item in place but clear the view, hide the icons instead. On Android and iPhone, choose the Home Screen removal option—not uninstall or delete.
Windows: remove one app shortcut
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Check that the desktop item is a shortcut. Microsoft says shortcuts can be identified by the small arrow on the icon. If there is no arrow or you are unsure what the item represents, inspect its properties before deleting it.
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Right-click the shortcut and choose Delete, or select it and press Delete.
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The shortcut disappears from the desktop, while the program it points to remains installed. Microsoft Q&A explains: “If you delete a shortcut, the shortcut is removed from your desktop, but the file, program, or location that the shortcut links to is not deleted.” Read Microsoft Q&A’s shortcut guidance.
#1 Best Overall
- Compact Mouse: With a comfortable and contoured shape, this Logitech ambidextrous wireless mouse feels great in either right or left hand and is far superior to a touchpad
- Durable and Reliable: This USB wireless mouse features a line-by-line scroll wheel, up to 1 year of battery life (2) thanks to a smart sleep mode function, and comes with the included AA battery
- Universal Compatibility: Your Logitech mouse works with your Windows PC, Mac, or laptop, so no matter what type of computer you own today or buy tomorrow your mouse will be compatible
- Plug and Play Simplicity: Just plug in the tiny nano USB receiver and start working in seconds with a strong, reliable connection to your wireless computer mouse up to 33 feet / 10 m (5)
- Better than touchpad: Get more done by adding M185 to your laptop; according to a recent study, laptop users who chose this mouse over a touchpad were 50% more productive (3) and worked 30% faster (4)
Check before deleting files or folders
A document or folder saved directly on the desktop is not an app shortcut. Deleting one moves that item to the Recycle Bin. If you are not certain an icon is a shortcut, do not delete it until you have checked what it points to.
Windows: hide all desktop icons temporarily
To clear the desktop without removing individual shortcuts or files, right-click an empty area of the desktop, select View, then toggle Show desktop icons. Use the same menu and turn the option back on to show them again. This applies to the desktop icons as a group. Microsoft’s desktop icon guidance covers this setting.
Rank #2
- Pair and Play: With fast, easy Bluetooth wireless technology, you’re connected in seconds to this quiet cordless mouse —no dongle or port required
- Less Noise, More Focus: Silent mouse with 90% reduced click sound and the same click feel, eliminating noise and distractions for you and others around you (1)
- Long-Lasting Battery Life: Up to 18-month battery life with an energy-efficient auto sleep feature, so you can go longer between battery changes (2)
- Comfortable, Travel-Friendly Design: Small enough to toss in a bag; this slim and ambidextrous portable compact mouse guides either your right or left hand into a natural position
- Long-Range: Reliable, long-range Bluetooth wireless mouse works up to 10m/33 feet away from your computer (3)
Windows: remove or restore built-in icons
For common system icons such as This PC or Recycle Bin, open Settings > Personalization > Themes > Desktop icon settings. Use the checkboxes to choose which built-in icons appear on the desktop. This changes their desktop visibility; it is distinct from uninstalling an app. See Microsoft’s instructions for changing desktop icons.
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Do not choose Uninstall if you only want to remove an icon
Uninstalling removes the app from Windows; deleting a desktop shortcut does not. Windows provides uninstall routes through Start > All apps, Settings > Apps > Installed apps, and Control Panel > Programs and Features. Avoid an Uninstall command when your goal is only to change what appears on the desktop. Microsoft’s Windows uninstall instructions describe those routes.
Rank #3
- 【Dual Mode Wireless Bluetooth Mouse】: Switch easily between two devices—connect one via Bluetooth (BT5.2/3.0) and the other using a 2.4G USB receiver. No drivers needed; just plug and play. Enjoy a reliable connection up to 33 feet. Note: You can't use both modes simultaneously; the USB receiver is stored in the mouse.
- 【Rechargeable Wireless Mouse】: Equipped with a 500mAh lithium-ion battery, it charges in 2 hours for over 7 days of use and 30 days on standby. The mouse sleeps after 5 minutes of inactivity to save power and can be woken with any click.
- 【Colorful LED Breathing Light】: Features 7 colorful LED lights that change randomly, adding a fun atmosphere to your workspace.
- 【Portable Mouse】Compact size (4.4 x 2.3 x 1.1 inches) makes it easy to fit in your laptop bag. Lightweight and ergonomic, it's perfect for travel. Contact us anytime for support.
- 【Wide Compatibility】: Works with laptops, PCs, tablets, and smartphones across various operating systems, including Android, Windows, and Mac. Ideal for home, office, and travel.
Android: remove an app from the Home screen
Touch and hold the app or shortcut, drag it to Remove, and release. Choose Remove, not Uninstall: the former takes the icon off the Home screen, while uninstalling removes the app from the device. Menu behavior can vary by launcher, and Google notes that some steps apply only to Android 14 and later. See Google’s Android Home screen guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.iPhone: remove an app from the Home Screen
Touch and hold the app, tap Remove App, then tap Remove from Home Screen. The app stays in the App Library. Do not choose Delete App if you want to keep it installed. Apple also lets you hide a whole Home Screen page; apps remain available in the App Library when a page is hidden or removed. See Apple’s Home Screen guide.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【Plug and Play for Home/Office/School】The wireless computer mouse features 2.4GHz connectivity, delivering a stable, interference-free connection up to 32ft. Designed for 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬, it ensures comfortable use all day. Simply plug in the USB-A receiver for instant pairing—no drivers needed. 📌📌 If the mouse isn’t suitable, place the USB receiver in the battery compartment and return both.
- 【3 Levels Adjustable DPI】This travel USB mouse offers 3 adjustable DPI settings (800, 1200, 1600), allowing you to customize sensitivity for precise design work. Effortlessly switch to match your task and elevate your productivity. 📌 Please remove the film at the bottom of the mouse before use.
- 【Effortless Browsing】Equipped with forward and backward buttons, this computer mice streamlines your workflow, making it easy to navigate through web pages and files with a simple click. 📌Side button does not work on Mac.
- 【Visible Indicator Light】 The pc mouse features a visual indicator for DPI levels and low battery alerts. The red light flashes once for 800 DPI, twice for 1200 DPI, and three times for 1600 DPI. When the battery level is below 10%, the light flashes red until the mouse is completely out of power.
- 【Click to Wake】With smart sleep mode, it saves power by standby after 10 inactive minutes, just 2-3 clicks to wake. This efficient design delivers 3x longer battery life than motion-wake mice. Engineered for durability, its buttons and scroll wheel are tested for 10 million clicks, ensuring long-term reliability and consistent performance.
Rank #4
- Your hand can relax in comfort hour after hour with this ergonomically designed mouse. Its contoured shape with soft rubber grips, gently curved sides and broad palm area give you the support you need for effortless control all day long.
- You’ve got the control to do more, faster. Flipping through photo albums and Web pages is a breeze, especially for right-handers—with three standard buttons plus Back/Forward buttons that you can also program to switch applications, go full screen and more. And side-to-side scrolling plus zoom gives you the power to scroll horizontally and vertically through your music library, maps and Facebook feeds, and zoom in and out of photos and budget spreadsheets with a click.* * Requires Logitech SetPoint software (Windows) or Logitech Control Center software (Mac OS X)
- Two years of battery life practically eliminates the need to replace batteries. ** The On/Off switch helps conserve power, smart sleep mode extends battery life and an indicator light eliminates surprises. ** Battery life may vary based on user and computing conditions.
- The tiny Logitech Unifying receiver stays in your laptop. There’s no need to unplug it when you move around, so there’s less worry of it being lost. And you can easily add compatible wireless mice and keyboards to the same wireless receiver.
Choose the option that matches what you want to keep
| Goal | Action | What remains |
|---|---|---|
| Remove one Windows app icon | Delete the app shortcut | The installed program remains; its desktop shortcut is removed. |
| Clear the Windows desktop temporarily | Toggle View > Show desktop icons | Desktop items remain in place but are hidden. |
| Remove an Android Home screen icon | Choose Remove | The app stays on the device. |
| Remove an iPhone app icon from the Home Screen | Choose Remove from Home Screen | The app remains in the App Library. |
| Remove an app itself | Choose an uninstall or delete-app command | The app is removed from the device or Windows installation. |
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