If you can see your desktop wallpaper, but not your icons do this:
1. Right-click a blank space on the desktop. A menu will open. 2. Point to Arrange Icons By. A submenu will open. 3. The third menu item from the bottom is labeled Show Desktop Icons It should have a check mark in front of it. If it doesn't click it.
Your icons should be restored.
How did it get this way?
My best suggestion is that either you accidentally performed steps 1-3, or malware did it.