Windows 11 offers multiple options to open the revamped Settings app. In fact, there are over a dozen ways to open the Settings app. We have documented all the ways in our 11 ways to open Windows 11 Settings article.
Although there are multiple ways, many prefer creating a shortcut to the Settings app on the desktop and then double-clicking on it to open it.
If you are also one of them and would like to create the Settings app shortcut icon on the Windows 11 desktop, you will be glad to know that you can easily create one.
Following are the two easy ways to create a Settings app shortcut icon on a Windows 11 desktop.
Method 1 of 2
Add Settings app shortcut icon to the Windows 11 desktop
Step 1: Perform a right-click on an empty spot on the desktop, click the New option, and then click the Shortcut option to open the Create Shortcut wizard.
Step 2: In the Type the location of the item dialog, type ms-settings: (please do not forget to add the colon) before clicking the Next button.
Step 3: Finally, type Settings in the box and then click the Finish button to create the Settings app shortcut icon on the Windows 11 desktop right away.
NOTE: If the Settings app shortcut icon does not appear on the desktop, it’s likely because you have configured Windows 11 to hide icons on the desktop. To show all desktop icons again, right-click on desktop, click View, and then select Show desktop icons.
Method 2 of 2
Drag and drop the Settings app from the Start menu to the desktop to create a shortcut
Please note that this method does not work in the latest versions of Windows 11.
Step 1: Drag and drop the Settings app icon from the pinned app list of the Start menu to the desktop area to create its shortcut on the desktop immediately.
Pin Settings to Windows 11 taskbar for easy access
While nothing beats the easy Windows logo + I hotkey to access the Settings app, if you do not prefer using keyboard shortcuts to launch apps, you can consider pinning the Settings app to the Windows 11 taskbar. Here is how.
Step 1: Open the Settings app using search or any other method.
Step 2: Once the Settings app is launched, right-click on its icon in the taskbar and then click the Pin to taskbar option. That’s it! From now on, the Settings app will always be present on the taskbar, even if you close its window.
Our how to create This PC shortcut on Windows 11 desktop guide might also interest you.
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