Steps on how to sort icons on the desktop by item type.

1. Right-click on an empty space on the desktop.
2. Hover over "View" in the context menu that appears.
3. Click on "Sort by" in the submenu that appears.
4. Select "Item type" from the options provided.
5. The icons on your desktop will now be sorted by their respective item types, such as folders, documents, shortcuts, etc.

Windows

1. Right-click on the desktop and select View.
2. Click on Sort by and select Type.

Mac

1. Click on the Finder icon in the Dock.
2. Click on View and select Sort By > Kind.