If you’ve just upgraded to Windows 11, you might be wondering: “Where is ‘My Computer’?” In older versions of Windows, the familiar My Computer icon was always on the desktop, giving quick access to drives, files, and system information. In Windows 11, things look a little different, and Microsoft now calls it This PC instead of My Computer.
Don’t worry — whether you want to open My Computer, add it back to your desktop, or locate it quickly in File Explorer, this step-by-step guide will show you exactly how.
Key Takeaways
-
“My Computer” is now called “This PC” in Windows 11.
-
You can access it via File Explorer, Start menu, or desktop icon.
-
If the icon is missing, you can restore it from Personalization settings.
-
Useful for quickly accessing drives, documents, and system info.
What Happened to “My Computer” in Windows 11?
Microsoft rebranded My Computer → Computer → This PC across different Windows versions. On Windows 11:
-
The functionality remains the same.
-
It’s not shown on the desktop by default.
-
You’ll need to open it through File Explorer or re-enable the desktop icon.
👉 In short: “My Computer” didn’t disappear — it just changed names and location.
Why Do You Need to Find “My Computer”?
Finding and using This PC (My Computer) is useful for:
-
Accessing your C: drive and other partitions.
-
Managing USB drives and external storage.
-
Viewing available disk space.
-
Quickly reaching your Documents, Downloads, Pictures, and Music folders.
-
Checking system information and properties.
How to Find My Computer on Windows 11 (Step-by-Step Methods)
Let’s go through the easiest ways to locate and access “My Computer” (This PC).
Method 1: Open My Computer via File Explorer
-
Press Windows + E on your keyboard.
-
File Explorer will open by default.
-
On the left pane, click This PC.
✅ You now see all drives, folders, and devices.
Method 2: Find My Computer Using the Start Menu
-
Click the Start button (Windows icon).
-
Type This PC in the search bar.
-
Select This PC from results.
👉 This is quick if you don’t want to enable the desktop icon.
Method 3: Pin My Computer to the Start Menu or Taskbar
If you use My Computer often, you can pin it:
-
Open Start → Search “This PC”.
-
Right-click This PC → Choose Pin to Start or Pin to taskbar.
✅ Now it’s always one click away.
Method 4: Restore My Computer (This PC) Icon on the Desktop
Want the classic desktop shortcut? Here’s how:
-
Right-click on the desktop → Select Personalize.
-
In the left pane, go to Themes.
-
Scroll down and click Desktop icon settings.
-
In the window that appears, check Computer.
-
Click Apply → OK.
✅ The familiar “This PC” icon will now appear on your desktop.
Method 5: Access My Computer via Run Command
-
Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
-
Type:
-
Press Enter.
👉 This directly opens This PC.
Method 6: Create a Shortcut to My Computer
If you don’t want to enable desktop icons, you can make your own shortcut.
-
Right-click on the desktop → New → Shortcut.
-
In the location field, type:
-
Click Next, name it My Computer, and finish.
✅ You’ll now have a custom shortcut.
Method 7: Access System Info from My Computer
To view system details like processor, RAM, Windows version:
-
Open This PC.
-
Right-click This PC → Select Properties.
-
A window will show Device specifications and Windows information.
Comparison of Methods
| Method | Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| File Explorer (Windows + E) | Fast | Everyday access |
| Start Menu Search | Easy | Occasional use |
| Pin to Start/Taskbar | Fast | Frequent use |
| Restore Desktop Icon | Classic | Old Windows users |
| Run Command | Quick | Advanced users |
| Custom Shortcut | Flexible | Personalized setup |
Troubleshooting: Why Can’t I Find My Computer?
-
Desktop icon missing → Enable via Desktop icon settings.
-
Renamed as This PC → Look for This PC, not “My Computer.”
-
Work/school device restrictions → IT may control desktop layout.
-
Corrupted File Explorer → Restart Windows Explorer from Task Manager.
Bonus Tip: Customize My Computer (This PC)
You can personalize what shows up under This PC:
-
Open File Explorer → Right-click Quick Access → Options.
-
Under Open File Explorer to, choose This PC.
-
Add or remove folders by right-clicking them and selecting Pin to Quick Access.
Conclusion
Even though Windows 11 renamed My Computer to This PC, accessing it is simple once you know where to look.
-
Use Windows + E for the fastest access.
-
Restore the desktop icon if you miss the classic look.
-
Pin it to Start or Taskbar for one-click access.
With these methods, you’ll always know how to find and use My Computer on Windows 11.
FAQs About Finding My Computer on Windows 11
1. Is “My Computer” the same as “This PC” in Windows 11?
Yes, Microsoft just renamed it to This PC, but the function is identical.
2. How do I put My Computer back on the desktop in Windows 11?
Go to Settings → Personalization → Themes → Desktop icon settings, then check Computer.
3. What’s the shortcut key to open My Computer in Windows 11?
Press Windows + E to instantly open File Explorer with This PC.
4. Can I rename “This PC” back to “My Computer”?
Yes, right-click the This PC icon → Rename → Type My Computer.
5. How do I see my computer’s specs through My Computer?
Right-click This PC → Properties to view device and Windows details.