The quickest way to add an app to the desktop in Windows 11 is to open the Start menu, select All, and drag the app from the list onto the desktop. Windows creates a shortcut and leaves the app itself where it is. If dragging does not work, you can use the Apps folder, the app’s file location, or the New Shortcut wizard. All four methods are below.
Method 1: Drag the app from the Start menu
- Select Start (or press the Windows key).
- Select All (called All apps on some versions) to see the full app list.
- Click and hold the app you want, drag it onto an empty area of the desktop, and release.
The new icon shows a small arrow in the corner, which means it is a shortcut. Deleting it later does not uninstall the app. This works for both classic desktop programs and Microsoft Store apps.
Method 2: Use the Apps folder (works for every app)
This method is useful for Microsoft Store apps and built-in apps that do not have a normal file location.
- Press Windows + R to open Run.
- Type shell:AppsFolder and press Enter. A folder opens with every app installed on the PC.
- Right-click the app and choose Create shortcut.
- Windows says it can’t create a shortcut in this folder and asks whether to place it on the desktop instead. Select Yes.
Method 3: Send to desktop from the file location
For traditional desktop programs, you can make a shortcut from the program’s Start menu entry.
- Open Start, find the app, right-click it, and choose More > Open file location. (Store apps do not offer this option; use Method 2 for them.)
- In the folder that opens, right-click the app’s shortcut and select Show more options, or press Shift + F10.
- Choose Send to > Desktop (create shortcut).
Method 4: Create a shortcut from the desktop
- Right-click an empty area of the desktop and choose New > Shortcut.
- Select Browse and find the program’s .exe file. Most programs are in C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files (x86).
- Select Next, type a name for the shortcut, and select Finish.
You can use the same wizard to make shortcuts to folders, files, or settings pages. To put a website on the desktop, see how to create a desktop shortcut to a website in Microsoft Edge.
What about apps pinned to the taskbar?
You can’t drag an icon from the taskbar straight to the desktop. Instead, use the Start menu or the Apps folder methods above. Our guide on moving apps from the taskbar to the desktop walks through it.
Customize the new desktop icon
- Rename it: right-click the shortcut, choose Rename (or press F2), and type a new name. Many people remove the ” – Shortcut” text Windows adds.
- Change its icon: right-click, choose Properties, open the Shortcut tab, and select Change Icon. This option is available for classic program shortcuts.
- Add a keyboard shortcut: in the same Properties window, click the Shortcut key box and press a key combination, such as Ctrl + Alt + N, to launch the app from anywhere.
- Change the icon size: right-click the desktop and choose View, then Large, Medium, or Small icons. Holding Ctrl while you scroll the mouse wheel also resizes them.
Troubleshooting
- The shortcut doesn’t appear: your desktop icons may be hidden. Right-click the desktop, choose View, and check Show desktop icons.
- System icons like This PC or Recycle Bin are missing: go to Settings > Personalization > Themes > Desktop icon settings and check the icons you want.
- Icons keep moving after you place them: right-click the desktop, choose View, and uncheck Auto arrange icons.
- The shortcut says the item has been changed or moved: the app was uninstalled or updated to a new location. Delete the shortcut and create a new one.
Frequently asked questions
Does adding an app to the desktop install a second copy?
No. A desktop shortcut is only a link to the app. It uses almost no disk space.
How do I remove an app from the desktop without uninstalling it?
Delete the shortcut. The app stays installed and in the Start menu. See how to remove shortcuts from the desktop in Windows 11 for more options.
Can I pin an app to the Start menu or taskbar instead?
Yes. Right-click the app in Start and choose Pin to Start or Pin to taskbar.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.