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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallWindows 11 provides several ways to put a Microsoft Edge shortcut on the desktop. The quickest option is to drag Edge from the full Start app list. If that does not work, use the special Windows applications folder or create the shortcut from Edge’s actual executable path.
Method 1: Drag Microsoft Edge from Start to the desktop
This is Microsoft’s documented method for creating an application shortcut in Windows 11.
- Select Start.
- Select All to show the complete list of installed apps.
- Scroll to Microsoft Edge.
- Drag Microsoft Edge from the app list to an empty area of the desktop.
Windows creates a shortcut on the desktop. It does not move, remove, or uninstall Microsoft Edge.
If dragging Edge does not work
Use the entry under Start > All, not a result displayed by searching the Start menu. Microsoft’s instructions specifically refer to dragging the app from the full All apps list.
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Method 2: Use the Windows applications folder
The shell:AppsFolder command opens a folder containing shortcuts for installed Windows applications, including Edge.
- Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
- Enter
shell:AppsFolder. - Press Enter.
- Find Microsoft Edge in the list.
- Right-click Microsoft Edge and select Create shortcut.
- When Windows displays Windows can’t create a shortcut here. Do you want the shortcut to be placed on the desktop instead?, select Yes.
The new Edge shortcut should now be on the desktop.
Method 3: Create the shortcut from Edge’s executable
Use this option if Microsoft Edge is missing from Start and does not appear in shell:AppsFolder.
- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Enter
edge://versionin the address bar and press Enter. - Copy the path shown next to Executable path.
- Right-click an empty area of the desktop.
- Select New > Shortcut.
- Paste the executable path into Type the location for the item.
- Select Next.
- Enter Microsoft Edge, or another name you prefer.
- Select Finish.
Do not assume that every Edge installation uses the same folder. A commonly seen path is:
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"C:Program Files (x86)MicrosoftEdgeApplicationmsedge.exe"However, the installation may instead use C:Program Files or another location. The path displayed by edge://version is the one to use.
Do not use a version-numbered Edge folder
Edge updates install files in versioned folders. A shortcut aimed at one of those folders can stop working after an update. Create the shortcut to the root msedge.exe path reported by edge://version, rather than to an executable inside a folder containing a specific version number.
Create a desktop shortcut for a specific Edge profile
A regular Edge shortcut opens the browser without explicitly selecting a profile. You can add a profile parameter when you want separate shortcuts—for example, one for personal browsing and another for work.
- Switch Edge to the profile you want to target.
- Open
edge://version. - Find Profile path and note the final folder name, such as
DefaultorProfile 2. - Create a shortcut using the steps in the previous section.
- In the shortcut location field, use this format:
"C:pathtomsedge.exe" --profile-directory="Profile 2" - Give the shortcut a descriptive name, such as Edge – Work.
For example:
"C:Program Files (x86)MicrosoftEdgeApplicationmsedge.exe" --profile-directory="Profile 2"Replace the executable path with the path shown on your computer. Also replace Profile 2 with the actual final folder name shown under Profile path.
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The profile directory name is not always the same as the friendly name displayed in Edge. If the profile is called “Work” in Edge’s interface, its directory may still be Profile 2.
Create a desktop shortcut to a website that opens in Edge
If you want a shortcut to a particular website rather than to the Edge browser, use these steps:
- Open the website in Microsoft Edge.
- Drag the View site information icon—the padlock or sliders icon beside the address—to an empty area of the desktop.
Windows creates a web shortcut for that URL. It opens in the browser associated with web links, which may not be Edge if another browser is set as the default.
Troubleshoot the Edge desktop shortcut
The shortcut exists, but the desktop is blank
Desktop icons may be hidden. Right-click an empty area of the desktop, select View, and make sure Show desktop icons is checked.
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The shortcut no longer works after an Edge update
Recreate it using the root executable path shown at edge://version. Avoid paths containing a numbered Edge version folder.
If Edge itself will not start, try repairing the installation:
- Open Settings.
- Go to Apps > Installed apps.
- Find Microsoft Edge.
- Select the three-dot menu and choose Modify.
- Select Repair and follow the prompts.
Edge opens the wrong profile
Check edge://version while the required profile is active. Use the final folder name listed in Profile path after --profile-directory=. Do not substitute the profile’s display name unless both names are identical.
Edge created a shortcut after an installation or update
Microsoft Edge Update has policies named Create Desktop Shortcut upon install default and Create Desktop Shortcut upon install. These policies apply when Edge is installed. Changing them after an existing installation does not remove or alter a shortcut that is already present.
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Do not use old Microsoft Edge Legacy commands
Some older instructions use this identifier:
Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe!MicrosoftEdgeThat identifier belongs to the former EdgeHTML-based Microsoft Edge Legacy app. Edge Legacy reached end of support on March 9, 2021. Windows 11 uses the current Chromium-based Edge, so use the Start drag method, shell:AppsFolder, or the current msedge.exe path instead.
Which method should you use?
| What you need | Best method |
|---|---|
| A normal Edge browser shortcut | Drag Edge from Start > All |
| Dragging from Start does not work | Use shell:AppsFolder |
| Edge is missing from Start and AppsFolder | Create a shortcut using the path from edge://version |
| A shortcut for a particular Edge profile | Use --profile-directory with the executable path |
| A shortcut to a website | Drag the site information icon to the desktop |
FAQ
How do I put Microsoft Edge on my Windows 11 desktop?
Open Start > All, find Microsoft Edge, and drag it to an empty area of the desktop. Windows creates an application shortcut without moving or uninstalling Edge.
Why can’t I drag Edge from the Start menu?
Use the full app list by selecting Start > All, then locate and drag the Microsoft Edge entry. If that still fails, press Windows key + R, run shell:AppsFolder, right-click Microsoft Edge, select Create shortcut, and choose Yes when Windows offers to place it on the desktop.
Where is the Microsoft Edge executable located?
Open Edge, enter edge://version, and copy the value beside Executable path. Do not rely on a fixed path because Edge may be installed under Program Files, Program Files (x86), or another location.
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How do I create separate Edge shortcuts for different profiles?
Use the Edge executable path followed by --profile-directory="DirectoryName". Find the correct directory name in edge://version under Profile path; it may be Default or Profile 2, rather than the profile’s displayed name.
How do I create a shortcut to a website in Edge?
Open the page in Edge, then drag the padlock or sliders icon beside the address to the desktop. This creates a shortcut to the website, not to the Edge browser itself.
The Bottom Line
For most Windows 11 computers, use Start > All and drag Microsoft Edge onto the desktop. If the app entry is unavailable, shell:AppsFolder is the simplest fallback. For profile-specific shortcuts or unusual installations, use the executable and profile details shown by edge://version.
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