The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →First identify whether your Linux Mint installation uses Cinnamon, MATE, or Xfce: the editions have different desktop settings, so a setting path for one may not apply to another. Also clarify what “no icons” means. Hiding items from the desktop is different from changing icon artwork throughout the interface.
Identify your Linux Mint desktop edition
Linux Mint 22.3 “Zena” is available in Cinnamon, Xfce, and MATE editions. Linux Mint describes Cinnamon as its most popular edition, Xfce as lightweight, and MATE as classic; these descriptions are not a performance comparison. See the Linux Mint download page for the current edition list.
Check which edition is installed before following appearance guidance. The three desktops do not share one interchangeable settings interface.
Choose what you mean by “no icons”
- Hide desktop items: This concerns items displayed on the workspace, such as Computer, Trash, Network, or files and shortcuts you have placed there.
- Change icon artwork: An icon theme changes the appearance of icons in supported parts of the interface. It is not the same as hiding desktop items, and it does not establish a way to remove icons from menus, panels, application windows, and the system tray all at once.
Linux Mint 21.1 release notes said, “The desktop was tidied up and now only shows essential items.” That release removed Computer, Trash, and Network from the desktop by default, while keeping them available in the file manager and configurable in preferences. This default change did not mean that files a user places on the desktop disappear. The details are in the Linux Mint 21.1 release notes and the Linux Mint 21.1 release overview.
#1 Best Overall
Adjust the appearance in Cinnamon
In Cinnamon, use the Themes selector in System Settings to change the overall look. Cinnamon 5.8 introduced styles with light, dark, and mixed modes, plus color variants. These presets are the quicker way to choose an appearance; Advanced settings let you select individual theme components. Linux Mint 22.3 release notes also report improvements to the advanced area of the theme selector.
The exact labels and layout can vary with the installed Cinnamon and Mint version. These theme controls concern appearance; the available evidence does not confirm a universal “turn off all desktop icons” toggle or its label. For background on the style model, see the Cinnamon 5.8 style changes and the Linux Mint 22.3 Cinnamon release notes.
Use the relevant settings for MATE or Xfce
MATE
Desktop Settings is the Mint MATE utility for configuring commonly used aspects of the desktop. The available reference is for Linux Mint 17.3, so treat it as confirmation of the utility’s general role—not as a current menu path or reliable description of today’s controls. The exact options depend on the installed version. See the Linux Mint 17.3 MATE guide.
Xfce
Linux Mint offers an Xfce edition, but the available current official documentation does not establish the exact control or path for hiding desktop icons in Xfce. Do not substitute Cinnamon or MATE instructions; consult the settings in your installed Xfce version.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Find and activate Cinnamon themes
If your goal is to change icon artwork or the desktop theme in Cinnamon, the official Cinnamon Spices site provides themes, applets, desklets, and extensions. Check that a theme matches the Cinnamon version you use, then select it through the Themes controls in System Settings. Optional themes are software customizations, and the available theme list can differ by release.
Linux Mint 21.1 included Mint-X, Mint-Y, Mint Legacy, Breeze, Papirus, Numix, and Yaru icon themes. Its release notes warn that some themes do not provide application icons. Those were options included with the 21.1 release, not a guarantee that the same set is installed with Linux Mint 22.3. Browse the official Cinnamon Spices site and the Linux Mint 21.1 release notes.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to do if you need a completely empty desktop
The exact all-icons-off control and label are not confirmed across current Cinnamon, MATE, and Xfce installations. A community discussion mentions a Desktop Settings dialog and monitor-display options for Mint 22.2 and 22.3, but it does not establish a universal official procedure. Verify any proposed steps against the settings for your edition and version rather than assuming they apply everywhere.
If you only want to remove the familiar Computer, Trash, or Network shortcuts, look for the corresponding desktop-item preferences in your edition. If the requirement is to remove every desktop item—including files and shortcuts you add—confirm that the setting explicitly covers those items. Hiding desktop items alone will not remove panel, menu, tray, or in-application icons.
Recommended Free Tools
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
