SOLVED: Desktop Icons Missing After Windows Update, Upgrade or Reboot
If you run through Windows Update (or in my case an Upgrade to Windows 10 1903) and find all of your desktop icons are missing this is the fix for you:.
Verify your desktop icons still exist by checking in C:\USERS\<YourName>\DESKTOP. If your files and shortcuts are safe continue to the next step
If you have two screens connected (or an external screen connected to your laptop), disconnect one of the screens
Click the NOTIFICATIONS icon (bottom right of your screen) to expand the NOTIFICATIONS PANE
Click on TABLET MODE to turn it on / off (just change it), and then click if OFF
RIGHT click anywhere on your desktop wallpaper select VIEW then SHOW DESKTOP ICONS
Plug your second monitor back in, if you unplugged it in step 2
From our experience, these steps resolve the missing desktop phenomenon in nearly all cases.
