Many Windows users prefer placing app shortcuts on the desktop so that they can launch their favorite apps quickly and easily by double-clicking on the app shortcuts on the desktop.
Windows 10 and earlier versions of Windows 11 allowed users to create desktop shortcuts for apps by just dragging and dropping them from the Start menu to the desktop. However, that is the case with the recent versions of Windows 11.
Although you cannot drag and drop apps from Start to desktop, there is a hidden way to create app shortcuts on Windows 11 desktop. Using this method, you can create desktop shortcuts for classic programs as well as modern apps.
Here is how to create app shortcut icons on your Windows 11 desktop.
Method 1 of 2
Create app shortcuts on the Windows 11 desktop
In this article, we are creating a shortcut for the built-in Photos app.
Step 1: Launch the app using search or any other method.
Step 2: Perform a right-click on the app’s icon on the taskbar to see the jump list.
Step 3: Now, hold down the Shift key and then right-click on the app’s name. For instance, if you are trying to create a desktop shortcut for the Photos app, you need to right-click the Photos entry in the jump list by holding the Shift key.
Step 4: Finally, click the Create shortcut option. If you cannot see the Create shortcut option, you might get the Send to option. Click the Send to option and then click the Desktop (create shortcut) option to make the shortcut icon.
Step 5: If you get the following error message, click the Yes button to create the app shortcut on your Windows 11 desktop.
You can use these directions to create desktop shortcuts for all modern apps. Classic desktop apps do not support this method.
Method 2 of 2
Another method to create desktop shortcuts for classic programs
Shortcuts of desktop programs like Google Chrome, Paint.net, or Windows Fax and Scan can be placed on the desktop using this method.
Step 1: Search for the program whose shortcut you would like to create on the desktop. In this guide, we are creating a shortcut to the Paint.net program.
Step 2: Right-click on the program’s entry and then click Open file location.
Step 3: In the resulting folder, hold down the Shift key, right-click on the program’s entry to open the old context menu, click Send to, and then click the Desktop (create shortcut) to create a desktop shortcut for the program.
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