Making a desktop shortcut for Minecraft on Windows 11 is pretty straightforward — but, of course, Windows sometimes likes to complicate things more than they need to be. If you’ve installed Minecraft via the Microsoft Store, tracking down the actual game file can be a pain because it’s tucked away in the WindowsApps folder, which is locked down tight. So, this guide will show you a couple of ways that actually work, depending on how you set it up. The aim? Double-click your desktop, and straight into the game—no noodling through folders or cluttered menus. Trust me, it saves a heap of hassle when you’re keen for a quick sesh.
How to Make a Desktop Shortcut for Minecraft on Windows 11
Where’s the Minecraft executable or shortcut hiding?
First up, where exactly is Minecraft installed? If you grabbed it from the Microsoft Store, the real game file isn’t sitting right in your Program Files — it’s hidden away in the WindowsApps folder. The easiest way is to right-click the Minecraft icon in your Start menu, then choose More > Open File Location. If that’s not there (which can happen), try searching for MinecraftLauncher.exe directly in File Explorer using the search bar. It might take a few goes; on some setups, it works better than others.
Alternatively, if you installed via the official launcher from the Minecraft site, it’s usually in C:\Program Files (x86)\Minecraft or somewhere similar. Once you find the .exe, you’re laughing — that’s your target.
If you’re still stuck, check out this handy tool: GitHub Repo: Winhance. It can help tidy up shortcuts or find the launcher easier.
Create the shortcut file
Right-click on the Minecraft launcher or executable, then pick Create shortcut. Sometimes Windows will throw a wobbly and say it can’t create a shortcut in that spot, so just make it somewhere else — like your desktop or documents folder — then move it across. On a dodgy install, it might just create the shortcut in the same folder, which is fine.
What’s interesting is that, depending on the setup, this method sometimes doesn’t give you a perfectly named shortcut or might link to the wrong file if you’re not paying attention. Double-check where the shortcut points.
Move that shortcut to your desktop
Grab your shiny new shortcut and drag it to your desktop or right-click and choose Send to > Desktop (create shortcut). Easy! On some setups, you might need to right-click — Properties > Shortcut — just to make sure it’ll fire up the right executable or to tweak the target path if needed.
Rename and jazz it up your way
Right-click the shortcut, hit Rename, and chuck in something obvious like “Minecraft.” Fancy? You can also change the icon to the classic Minecraft logo via Properties > Change Icon. Just browse your files or pick from the list. Of course, Windows makes that bit more fiddly than it should.
Sometimes, the launcher icon looks fine, but it’s nice to give your shortcuts a personal touch, especially if you’re running different versions or modded installs.
TIP: Set it to launch fullscreen or tweak settings
If you want Minecraft to start up in fullscreen every time or have other specific launch options, you might need to edit the shortcut’s target. Right-click > Properties, then in the Target box, add in commands like --fullscreen if supported. Sometimes, you’ll need to poke around launcher options or create a custom script, depending on your setup. Not always straightforward, but it’s doable.
Extra tips if things go pear-shaped
- If your shortcut stops working, double-check the Target path. Minecraft updates can shift things around and break shortcuts.
- Want separate shortcuts for different versions or mods? Just point each one to the right launcher or jar files manually.
- If you run both Bedrock and Java editions, make sure you link to the correct executable for each.
- Pro tip: Pin your shortcut to the taskbar once it’s set up — just right-click the icon and select Pin to taskbar.
- Running Minecraft as admin? Sometimes that’s needed for skins or mods, so check Properties > Compatibility.
FAQs
How do I find the Minecraft folder if I installed via the Microsoft Store?
Good luck. The folder’s tucked away in the hidden WindowsApps directory (C:\Program Files\WindowsApps), which needs special permissions. Best bet is to use the Start menu > More > Open File Location trick or create a shortcut from the launcher directly. Manual digging is likely more hassle than it’s worth.
Can I make shortcuts for different Minecraft versions or with mods?
Yes, but you’ll need to set up multiple launcher profiles or installs. Point each shortcut to the specific launcher or Java jar file. You can often add command-line flags for mods or resource packs straight into the shortcut target.
Why won’t my shortcut fire up Minecraft?
Make sure the path in the target is correct. Sometimes, updates or reinstallations shift things around or delete files. Recreating the shortcut often helps fix it.
How do I make Minecraft launch in fullscreen automatically?
Right-click the shortcut, go to Properties, under the Shortcut tab, set the Run dropdown to Maximized. Sometimes, you might need to add --fullscreen in the target box, depending on your launcher version.
Can I change the shortcut icon back to the default?
Yep. Right-click > Properties > Change Icon, then pick the original Minecraft icon from the list or browse for the default file. Easy as pie once you’ve done it a few times.
Summary
- Track down the Minecraft launcher or executable (a bit tricky if from the Store).
- Create a shortcut from that file.
- Drag it onto your desktop.
- Optional: give it a name or new icon.
- Pin it for quick access if you’re keen.
Final words
Making a desktop shortcut might seem cheeky for such a small thing, but it seriously cuts down on the faffing and searching, especially if you’re a regular player. Quick access is king, and with a bit of fiddling, it’s well within reach even if Windows tries to throw curveballs. Once it’s all set up, launching Minecraft becomes a doddle — no more hassle. It’s a good feeling when simple stuff works as it should, especially after navigating Windows’ maze of folders and permissions. Hope this helps someone out there—winner, winner, chicken dinner!