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Windows 11 gives you several ways to place an app shortcut on the desktop. The quickest is to drag the app from the Start menu. If that does not work—particularly with Microsoft Store apps—use the hidden Apps folder and create the shortcut from there.
A desktop shortcut is only a launcher. It does not move, copy, reinstall, or uninstall the application.
Method 1: Drag the app from Start to the desktop
- Select Start, or press the Windows key.
- Select All to display the complete list of installed apps.
- Locate the app you want to add.
- Drag its entry from the Start menu to an empty area of the desktop.
Windows creates a shortcut on the desktop while leaving the original app installed in its existing location. You can then double-click the new icon to launch the app.
This method is usually the fastest option for conventional desktop programs. However, some packaged or Microsoft Store apps do not respond when dragged from Start. If nothing happens, use the Apps folder method.
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Method 2: Create a shortcut from the Apps folder
The Apps folder provides a list of installed applications, including many Store apps that do not expose a normal program file in an accessible folder.
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type the following command exactly:
shell:AppsFolder- Press Enter.
- Find the app in the Applications window.
- Right-click the app and select Create shortcut.
- When Windows says it cannot create the shortcut in that location and asks whether it should place the shortcut on the desktop, select Yes.
The shortcut should now appear on the desktop. This is generally the most dependable method for Store-style apps, packaged applications, and apps that have no obvious .exe file.
Method 3: Use “Open file location”
Some apps in the Start menu point to a traditional shortcut stored in the Start Menu folder. For those apps, you can copy that shortcut to the desktop.
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- Open Start > All.
- Find the app.
- Right-click it and select More > Open file location, if the option is available.
- In File Explorer, right-click the app shortcut.
- Select Show more options > Send to > Desktop (create shortcut).
Depending on your Windows 11 build, Send to may appear immediately in the context menu. If you do not see Show more options, look for Send to in the menu that is already displayed.
Open file location is not available for every app. Its absence is normal for many Microsoft Store and packaged applications; it does not mean the app is damaged.
Method 4: Create a shortcut to an executable file
If you know where a conventional desktop program is installed, you can create a shortcut directly from its executable file.
- Right-click an empty area of the desktop.
- Select New > Shortcut.
- In Type the location of the item, enter the path to the program’s executable file, or select Browse to locate it.
- Select Next.
- Enter a name for the shortcut.
- Select Finish.
Most executable files end in .exe. Common installation locations include C:Program Files and C:Program Files (x86), but the exact folder depends on the program. You do not need to search the protected C:Program FilesWindowsApps folder for Store apps; use shell:AppsFolder instead.
What to do if the shortcut is not visible
Windows may create the shortcut successfully while hiding all desktop icons. To check that setting:
- Right-click an empty area of the desktop.
- Select View.
- Make sure Show desktop icons is checked.
If icons are enabled but the new shortcut still does not appear, press F5 while the desktop is active to refresh it. Also check whether the shortcut was created on another monitor or virtual desktop.
Desktop shortcut, Start pin, and taskbar pin are different
| Option | Where it places the app |
|---|---|
| Desktop shortcut | An icon on the Windows desktop |
| Pin to Start | The pinned section of the Start menu |
| Pin to taskbar | The Windows taskbar |
Right-clicking an app in Start may show Pin to Start or Pin to taskbar. Those commands do not create a desktop icon. To put the app on the desktop, use one of the shortcut methods above.
Removing the shortcut does not uninstall the app
You can delete a desktop shortcut without deleting the application. Right-click the shortcut, select Delete, and confirm if prompted. The app remains available from Start and can still be uninstalled separately through Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
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Which method should you use?
| Situation | Best method |
|---|---|
| The app appears in the Start list and drags normally | Drag it from Start > All |
| Dragging does nothing | Use shell:AppsFolder |
| Open file location is available | Use Send to > Desktop (create shortcut) |
| You know the path to a traditional program’s executable | Use New > Shortcut |
For most Windows 11 users, try dragging the app first. If the app is a Store application or the drag action fails, the Apps folder command is the reliable fallback.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
Why can’t I drag an app from Start to the desktop in Windows 11?
Some Microsoft Store and packaged apps do not support being dragged from the Start menu. Press Windows + R, run shell:AppsFolder, right-click the app, select Create shortcut, and confirm that Windows should place it on the desktop.
Where is the app’s .exe file in Windows 11?
Traditional programs are often installed under C:Program Files or C:Program Files (x86). Store apps may be stored in the protected C:Program FilesWindowsApps folder and may not provide an easy-to-use executable. Use shell:AppsFolder instead of trying to access that protected folder.
Does deleting a desktop shortcut uninstall the app?
No. Deleting the icon removes only the shortcut. The application remains installed and can be opened from Start. To uninstall it, go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
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How do I make desktop icons appear in Windows 11?
Right-click an empty part of the desktop, select View, and enable Show desktop icons. Press F5 afterward if the desktop needs to refresh.
Can I add a website to the Windows 11 desktop?
Yes. Right-click the desktop, select New > Shortcut, enter the website address, select Next, name the shortcut, and select Finish.
The Bottom Line
Start with Start > All and drag the app onto the desktop. When that fails, run shell:AppsFolder with Windows + R, right-click the app, choose Create shortcut, and confirm the desktop location. This avoids hunting through protected installation folders and works with most Windows 11 apps.
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