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Method 1: Drag an app from Start to the desktop
This is the simplest way to create a desktop shortcut for an installed app.
- Select Start or press the Windows key.
- Select All. On some Windows 11 installations, this may still be labeled All apps.
- Find the application in the list.
- Drag the app from the list onto an empty area of the desktop.
Windows creates a shortcut on the desktop. The original app remains installed in its existing location.
Method 2: Use shell:AppsFolder
Use this method when dragging from Start does nothing or when the app is a Microsoft Store or packaged application. It lists installed applications without requiring you to locate their executable files.
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- Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
- Enter shell:AppsFolder.
- Press Enter.
- Find the app in the Applications window.
- Right-click the app and select Create shortcut.
- When Windows asks whether to place the shortcut on the desktop, select Yes.
This method is particularly useful for Store apps, whose launch files may not be available in the usual Program Files folders. See Microsoft’s guidance on customizing desktop icons for related options.
Method 3: Send an application file to the desktop
For a traditional desktop program, you can create a shortcut from its executable file.
- Open File Explorer and locate the program’s .exe file.
- Right-click the file.
- Select Show more options, if it appears.
- Select Send to > Desktop (create shortcut).
Some Windows 11 installations show the classic context-menu commands immediately. If Show more options is not present, look for Send to directly in the menu.
If you do not know where the program is installed, do not guess at the executable’s location. Use shell:AppsFolder instead.
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You can create a shortcut to an application, file, folder, or website from the desktop.
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- Right-click an empty area of the desktop.
- Select New > Shortcut.
- Enter the path to the application, file, folder, or website.
- Select Next.
- Enter a name for the shortcut.
- Select Finish.
This creates a shortcut, not a copy of the target or a new installation. Make sure you enter the correct path to the item.
How to put an app in the Start menu instead
If by “home screen” you mean the menu that opens when you press the Windows key, pin the app to Start rather than creating a desktop shortcut.
- Open Start.
- Search for the app, or select All and find it in the installed-app list.
- Right-click the app.
- Select Pin to Start.
Pinned apps appear in Start’s Pins section. In current layouts, the All section can display apps in Category, Grid, or List view.
To remove it later, open Start, right-click the pinned app, and select Unpin from Start. Microsoft documents these options in its guide to customizing the Windows Start menu.
How to pin an app to the taskbar
The taskbar is another alternative if you want one-click access without placing icons on the desktop.
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Pin from Search
- Select the Search box on the taskbar.
- Type the app’s name.
- Right-click the app in the results.
- Select Pin to taskbar.
Pin an app that is already open
- Right-click the app’s icon on the taskbar.
- Select Pin to taskbar.
To remove it, right-click its taskbar icon and select Unpin from taskbar. More taskbar options are available in Microsoft’s Windows 11 taskbar guide.
What to do if the shortcut is not visible
If Windows appears to create the shortcut but you cannot see it, desktop icons may be hidden.
- Right-click an empty area of the desktop.
- Select View.
- Make sure Show desktop icons is checked.
Also check whether the shortcut was created on a different desktop or is hidden behind another window. Microsoft provides additional guidance for missing desktop icons.
Why dragging an app from Start may not work
You dragged from Pins instead of the app list
Dragging a pinned icon from Start’s Pins area may show a prohibited cursor or do nothing. Open Start > All and drag the app from the installed-app list. If that fails, open shell:AppsFolder and choose Create shortcut.
The app came from the Microsoft Store
Store apps often use package locations and may not expose a normal, easily accessible .exe file. Searching Program Files may therefore lead to the wrong file or no usable launch file at all. The AppsFolder method is the better option.
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The program is not listed in Start
Some installers do not create a Start-menu shortcut. A desktop shortcut created manually will not automatically appear in Start’s installed-app list.
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To add a shortcut for the current user, press Windows key + R, enter shell:programs, and press Enter. Place the shortcut in the folder that opens. To make it available in Start for every user, use shell:common programs instead. You may need administrator permission for the all-users location.
Desktop shortcut versus installed app
| Action | Result |
|---|---|
| Create a desktop shortcut | Adds a link to the desktop |
| Delete a desktop shortcut | Removes only the link; the app remains installed |
| Uninstall the app | Removes the application from Windows |
| Pin to Start | Adds the app to Start’s pinned area |
| Pin to taskbar | Adds the app to the taskbar |
To uninstall an application, go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find the app, select its three-dot menu, and choose Uninstall. Deleting the desktop shortcut does not uninstall the application.
Windows 11 labels can vary
The exact Start menu labels and layout depend on the Windows 11 version and feature rollout. You may see All or All apps, and the arrangement of pinned apps can differ. The shortcut procedures above apply across supported Windows 11 editions, although menu wording may vary.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
Can I pin an app directly to the Windows 11 desktop?
Windows 11 normally uses a desktop shortcut rather than a command called “Pin to desktop.” Drag the app from Start’s All apps list, use shell:AppsFolder and choose Create shortcut, or select Send to > Desktop (create shortcut) for a traditional program.
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Why can’t I drag an app from Start onto the desktop?
You may be dragging from the Pins section instead of the installed-app list, or the app may be a Microsoft Store package. Open Start > All and try again. If it still fails, press Windows key + R, run shell:AppsFolder, right-click the app, and select Create shortcut.
Does deleting a desktop shortcut uninstall the app?
No. Deleting the shortcut removes only the desktop link. The application remains installed. To remove the application, use Settings > Apps > Installed apps and select Uninstall.
How do I add an app to Start if it is missing from the app list?
Create or locate a shortcut for the program, press Windows key + R, enter shell:programs, and place the shortcut in the folder that opens. Use shell:common programs for the all-users Start menu, subject to administrator permissions.
What is the difference between the desktop, Start menu, and taskbar?
The desktop is the main Windows workspace and holds desktop shortcuts. Start opens with the Windows key and contains pinned apps and the full app list. The taskbar runs along the edge of the screen and provides quick access to pinned and open apps.
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For most apps, open Start > All and drag the app onto the desktop. For Store apps or apps that will not drag, run shell:AppsFolder, right-click the app, select Create shortcut, and confirm the desktop location. Use Pin to Start or Pin to taskbar if you want access from those areas instead.
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