Must you’re like me, your desktop can in brief grow to be cluttered with icons, and from time to time it’s nice to have a clean, distraction-free workspace. Whether or not or no longer you’re giving a presentation or just need a minimalist look, hiding your icons makes everything truly really feel neat and tidy.
And will have to you’re wondering, “How can I merely hide my Mac’s desktop icons?” or “How do I toggle them on and off at will?” — it’s strangely easy!
![Hide all Mac desktop icons](https://assets.hongkiat.com/uploads/hide-mac-desktop-icons/hero.jpg?2)
In this knowledge, I’ll show you a few simple tactics to hide those icons in your Mac, whether or not or no longer you prefer using system settings, the Terminal, or even creating a custom designed Mac keyboard shortcut.
Manner 1. Hide Desktop Icons by means of Mac Settings
You’ll in brief hide your desktop icons by the use of your Mac’s Instrument Settings.
Proper right here’s how:
- Liberate Instrument Settings.
- On the sidebar, select Desktop & Docks.
- Scroll proper right down to Desktop & Stage Manager and beneath Show Items, simply uncheck the selection for On Desktop.
![Hide desktop icons via System Settings on macOS](https://assets.hongkiat.com/uploads/hide-mac-desktop-icons/hide-via-system-settings.jpg?2)
And very similar to that, your desktop icons disappear!
Manner 2. Hide Desktop Icons by means of Terminal
Must you’re keen on using Terminal, you’ll be capable of moreover hide your desktop icons with a at hand information a coarse command. Proper right here’s what you need to do.
First, free up Terminal (Methods > Utilities). To hide your desktop icons, type the following command and hit enter:
defaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop false && killall Finder
![Hide desktop icons via Terminal command on macOS](https://assets.hongkiat.com/uploads/hide-mac-desktop-icons/hide-via-terminal.jpg?2)
Want to elevate them once more? Use this command:
defaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop true && killall Finder
Proper right here’s a at hand information a coarse explanation of the ones directions:
defaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop false/true:
This tells Finder to hide (false
) or show (true
) your desktop icons.killall Finder:
This restarts Finder to make use of the trade immediately.- By means of connecting them with
&&
, Finder will restart automatically correct after changing the ambience.
Manner 3. Hide Desktop Icons with a Keyboard Shortcut
Must you’re somebody who loves shortcuts (like me!), why not create a custom designed keyboard shortcut to toggle your desktop icons on and off?
Proper right here’s learn the way to set it up:
Step 1: Create a Speedy Movement with Automator
- Open Automator (Methods > Utilities).
- Make a selection New Record, then select Speedy Movement.
- In the right kind panel, set: Workflow receives: no input, and In: Finder.
- Search for Run Shell Script on the left, and drag it into your workflow.
- Replace the default text with this script:
- Save the Speedy Movement with a name like Toggle Desktop Icons.
![Creating a Quick Action in Automator on macOS](https://assets.hongkiat.com/uploads/hide-mac-desktop-icons/automator-quick-action.jpg?2)
![Setting no input and Finder options in Automator](https://assets.hongkiat.com/uploads/hide-mac-desktop-icons/no-input-finder.jpg?2)
![Adding Run Shell Script action in Automator](https://assets.hongkiat.com/uploads/hide-mac-desktop-icons/run-shell-script.jpg?2)
provide=$(defaults be informed com.apple.finder CreateDesktop) if [ "$current" = "true" ]; then defaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop false && killall Finder else defaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop true && killall Finder fi
![Replacing default script in Automator with custom script](https://assets.hongkiat.com/uploads/hide-mac-desktop-icons/replace-script.jpg?2)
![Saving Quick Action as Toggle Desktop Icons in Automator](https://assets.hongkiat.com/uploads/hide-mac-desktop-icons/save-quick-action.jpg?2)
Step 2: Assign a Keyboard Shortcut
- Go to Instrument Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts.
- Make a choice App Shortcuts from the left panel, then click on at the + button in an effort to upload a brand spanking new shortcut.
- Inside the Tool dropdown, make a choice Finder.
- Inside the Menu Establish field, type the proper identify of your Automator Speedy Movement (e.g., Toggle Desktop Icons), then assign your desired keyboard shortcut (e.g., Command + Shift + D).
![Navigating to keyboard shortcuts in System Settings on macOS](https://assets.hongkiat.com/uploads/hide-mac-desktop-icons/system-settings-keyboard-shortcuts.jpg?2)
![Adding a new App Shortcut in macOS System Settings](https://assets.hongkiat.com/uploads/hide-mac-desktop-icons/app-shortcuts.jpg?2)
![Choosing Finder in the Application dropdown for keyboard shortcuts](https://assets.hongkiat.com/uploads/hide-mac-desktop-icons/choose-finder.jpg?2)
![Assigning a keyboard shortcut to Toggle Desktop Icons in macOS](https://assets.hongkiat.com/uploads/hide-mac-desktop-icons/toogle-desktop-icon.jpg?2)
Now, with just a press of your custom designed shortcut, you’ll be capable of hide or show your desktop icons anytime!
Final Concepts
Hiding your Mac’s desktop icons is a straightforward approach to keep your workspace tidy, whether or not or no longer for focus or displays. You’ll merely toggle them on or off using Instrument Settings, Terminal, or a custom designed shortcut.
Believe, despite the fact that hidden, your icons are however accessible by the use of Finder > Desktop, so no longer anything else is out of place, merely out of sight.
The put up Tips on how to Conceal All Desktop Icons on Your Mac appeared first on Hongkiat.
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