Changing The Default Icons. Just follow this simple tutorial to add or remove Desktop Icons. 1. Open the Desktop by clicking Desktop tile on the Start Screen on your Windows 8. Or you can press Windows and M simultaneously. 2. Now, Right click on your desktop and select Personalize.3. Click on Change desktop icons at the top-right corner. 4. Next, check the icons you want to show on your desktop.Then just simply Click on the Apply and then OK.You are done.Here on the snapshot you can see that “Control Panel” icon has been added successfully.. Click on Change desktop icons at the top-right corner. 4. Next, check the icons you want to show on your desktop. Then just simply Click on the Apply and then OK. You are done. Here on the snapshot you can see that “Control Panel” icon has been added successfully.