Moving apps to your desktop on Windows 11 isn’t as simple as just dragging icons around, strangely enough. But here’s a way that usually does the trick — maybe not straight away, but after a few goes or a quick reboot. The main aim is to create shortcuts for your apps so they’re ready to go on your desktop for a quick launch. Sounds deadset simple, but Windows can be a bit finicky sometimes, especially with pesky Microsoft Store apps.
So, here’s the rundown — step by step. First, open the Start menu. You can do this by clicking the icon or hitting the Windows key. Once it’s open, find your app. If it’s a regular desktop app, it should be there, but if not, you might need to search for it.
Next, right-click on the app icon. You should see some options pop up, and if you’re lucky, there’ll be an option called “Open file location”. On some setups, this might be greyed out or missing — especially with Microsoft Store apps. If that’s the case, and you really want that app on your desktop, you might need to do things differently, like pin it to Start or the Taskbar, then create a shortcut from there.
If “Open file location” is available, give it a click. It’ll open up a folder where the real shortcut or app is stored. Keep in mind, sometimes it points to a deeper folder or a system path, which can be a bit confusing. Now, find the shortcut or app there, right-click again, and select “Send to”, then choose “Desktop (create shortcut)”. Done — your icon will be sitting pretty on the desktop.
Of course, it might not work for everything — especially newer apps or some Microsoft Store ones that hide their files. A workaround is to pin the app to your taskbar or start menu, then right-click the icon there, pick “More”, and select “Open file location” — if you can. Sometimes, you’ll need to get a bit creative; for example, making a custom shortcut pointing directly at the app’s executable if you know the path.
And a quick heads-up — if you can’t find the option, check your Settings > Apps > Installed apps or Start > All apps. Some apps can only be pinned or moved through the Start menu options or with third-party tools if you’re comfortable tinkering.
Oh, and don’t stress if deleting a shortcut on the desktop seems to do something weird. It’s just a shortcut, not the app itself. You can always recreate it if needed. Moving a shortcut doesn’t affect how the app runs, just how you access it.
So, yeah, that’s pretty much it. Not always smooth sailing with Windows, but with these tricks, you should be able to get there. Just focus on trying to get that “Open file location” option — if it’s not there, you might need a different approach altogether.
Hope this helps save a few hours. Moving apps isn’t always a breeze, but with these tips, you’ll be sorted in no time. Good luck, and if you end up with a mountain of shortcuts, don’t forget to tidy it up — a cluttered desktop is a productivity killer, too!
Summary
- Find the app in Start or search for it.
- Right-click and check if “Open file location” pops up.
- If yes, open that folder.
- Right-click the app and select “Send to” > “Desktop (create shortcut)”.
- If no, try pinning it to Start or the Taskbar and make a shortcut from there.
Fingers crossed this makes life easier. Moving apps isn’t always a walk in the park, but these tricks usually do the job.