How To Create WhatsApp Shortcut On Desktop In Windows 11

WhatsApp is one of the most used instant messaging services in the world. In addition to smartphones, WhatsApp is officially available for Windows and macOS operating systems as well.

Because WhatsApp can now be accessed from a Windows PC as well, many users have installed the desktop version of WhatsApp on their Windows 10/11 PCs so that they can send, read, and replay WhatsApp messages without touching their smartphone.

There are multiple ways to open WhatsApp. Although most users prefer launching WhatsApp using search, some prefer creating a desktop shortcut for quick and easy access.

Unfortunately, unlike the early versions of Windows 11 and the current version of Windows 10, recent Windows 11 versions do not allow you to create desktop shortcuts to apps by simply dragging and dropping them from the Start menu to the desktop area.

Luckily, there is a lesser-known method for creating app shortcuts on the desktop in Windows 11 without installing additional software.

This guide shows you how to create a shortcut icon for WhatsApp on your Windows 11 desktop.

Add WhatsApp to Windows 11 desktop

Step 1: Open the WhatsApp app using search or any other method.

Step 2: Once launched, perform right-click on its icon on the taskbar to see the jump list.

Step 3: Next, when the jump list is open, hold down the Shift key and right-click on the WhatsApp entry to see the Create shortcut option. Click on the Create shortcut option.

Step 4: You should now see an error dialog with the message “Windows cannot create a shortcut here. Create shortcut on desktop instead.” Click the Yes button to create the WhatsApp shortcut icon on your Windows 11 desktop.

You may now double-click on the WhatsApp icon on the desktop to launch WhatsApp. Note that you can rename the WhatsApp the shortcut from WhatsApp – Shortcut to just WhatsApp, if you want.

Our how to update WhatsApp to the latest version on Windows 10/11 PCs guide might also interest you.