Getting your favorite apps onto the desktop in Windows 11 might seem straightforward, but it can become tricky sometimes, especially if you’re dealing with apps from the Microsoft Store or ones that don’t show up in usual places. Maybe you’ve tried dragging icons around or making shortcuts, but nothing seems to stick. Or perhaps some apps just refuse to appear where you’d expect. It’s kind of frustrating, but there are a few tried-and-true ways to get this done, even if it feels like Windows is fighting back. The goal here is to create quick-access icons so you’re not digging through menus or searching all the time—it makes your workflow a lot smoother once set up.
How to Fix or Create App Shortcuts on Your Windows 11 Desktop
Find the App, but with a tweak for tricky ones
This part’s simple, but the catch is apps installed via the Microsoft Store can be weird because they don’t always have an accessible “file location.”
- Start by opening Start menu and find your app, either by typing in the search or scrolling through the list.
- If the app is visible but right-clicking doesn’t give you “Open file location, ” you might need to look in All apps inside Start or use the search to pinpoint it.
Method 1: Using the App’s Context Menu (for apps with a file location)
This is the classic method that works more often than not, especially on desktop apps installed traditionally.
- Right-click your app, then click Open file location. If you don’t see it, look for similar options or try on another app.
- This will open File Explorer in the folder with the executable (.exe) file.
- Right-click that executable and choose Create shortcut. You’ll get a new shortcut in that same folder.
- If you’re asked “Create shortcut here?” just agree, or move it manually to the desktop.
Method 2: Creating shortcuts manually for Store apps or those without a file location
Some apps, especially Microsoft Store ones, won’t show an easy “Open file location” option. In that case, you can create shortcuts directly from the Start menu or search.
- Open Start menu and find the app, then right-click and choose More > Open file location. If still not there, click Pin to taskbar or Pin to Start first for quick access.
- Alternatively, right-click the app in Start, then pick Open file location if available. On some setups, you might need to go into Settings > Apps > Installed Apps, find the app, and see if you can create shortcuts from there.
For apps from the Microsoft Store or that stubbornly don’t give you file locations
- Right-click the app in the Start menu, then select Pin to taskbar. It’s not a desktop icon, but it does give quickie access.
- You can also right-click the app, choose More > Open file location if it appears. If not, you might try dragging the icon directly from the Start menu to your desktop, though sometimes that’s hit or miss.
Sometimes, just dragging works — kind of weird, but it’s worth a shot
The manual drag-and-drop from the Start menu or from the search results onto the desktop can sometimes do the trick, especially if you see the application’s icon in the taskbar after launching it. Just click, hold, and drag it onto the desktop. Never quite predictable, but on some machines, it just works after a reboot or relog.
Tips for Dealing with Uncooperative Apps and Shortcuts
- If “Open file location” isn’t showing, try searching for the app in Taskbar Search or check in Settings > Apps for an “Advanced options” link—sometimes you can find an “open location” there.
- Pinning apps to the taskbar or Start menu sometimes makes shortcut creation easier for stubborn ones.
- Use folders on the desktop or in Quick Access to keep things less cluttered.
- If you want to rename shortcuts, just right-click, pick Rename, and type a better label.
Common Questions (aka, the stuff people ask all the time)
Why can’t I find “Open file location”?
This usually happens with Microsoft Store apps or built-in Windows apps. They are sandboxed or tied to a special launcher, so Windows keeps the traditional file location hidden or blocked.
What if I just can’t make shortcuts the regular way?
Sometimes you’ll need a third-party app like Winhance or similar tools that can create more flexible shortcuts or tweak icon behaviors. But for most desktop apps, the above methods do the trick.
Can I create web page shortcuts on my desktop?
Yup. Just drag the URL from your browser’s address bar onto your desktop—presto, it’s a bookmark shortcut. You can also right-click and pick Create Shortcut from the menu options.
How to tidy up a crowded desktop?
Folders are your friends—group shortcuts together. Or, pin your most-used programs in the taskbar for less clutter. Windows 11 has some good organizational tools that make cleanup easier.
And about renaming shortcuts—how?
Right-click any shortcut, then select Rename. Simple as that, just type in something more meaningful or fun.
Summary
- Look for the app in Start menu, maybe search for it too.
- Right-click and see if “Open file location” appears.
- Create shortcut from the app’s executable or from the Start menu.
- Drag it to desktop if it doesn’t land there automatically.
- Organize and rename shortcuts to keep things tidy.
Wrap-up
Getting shortcuts onto the desktop can be a bit of a hassle sometimes, especially with how Windows handles certain app types. But with a little patience and some workaround tricks, it’s doable. Having your favorite apps handy right on the desktop saves a lot of time and clicks, especially if you’re juggling multiple programs daily. Just remember, some apps play hard to get, but persistence usually pays off. Fingers crossed this gets one more thing sorted on your Windows 11 setup.