
They remind of how web apps and even some desktop apps indicate an ‘editing’ mode for selecting and performing any sort of action on multiple files at once. I personally do not like these check boxes. The boxes will stop appearing on both desktop icons when you select them as well as on files and folders you view inside File Explorer. Uncheck it and the check boxes will disappear. In the Show/hide set of options at the far right, there’s an ‘Item check boxes’ option that will be checked. Open File Explorer and select the ‘View’ tab from the ribbon. If you find the check boxes are redundant or confusing you can disable them. Windows 10 basically has two different ways to indicate a selected item. The icon is also highlighted like it used to be in Windows 7 to indicate a selected icon. Clicking the item once selects it and a check mark appears inside the check box to indicate the same. When you hover the mouse cursor over an item in Windows 10, whether it’s an icon on your desktop or a file you’re looking at inside File Explorer you see a check box appear over it.
