Want to jump straight into your email right from your Windows 11 desktop? Adding a mail icon isn’t too tricky, but sometimes Windows can make it seem more complicated than it needs to be. No worries — here’s a simple way that’s worked for plenty of folks down under.
Step-by-Step Guide to Adding a Mail Icon on Your Desktop in Windows 11
This process creates a shortcut for your mail app right on your desktop so you can get into your inbox faster. No more digging around menus or waiting for apps to load up.
Step 1: Open the Start Menu
Hit the Windows key or click the Start button in the bottom-left corner. This is where all the magic begins — your app launcher and search hub.
Step 2: Search for the Mail App
Type Mail into the search bar at the top of the Start menu. Sometimes it can be a bit slow to pop up, especially if your PC’s a bit older or if it’s taking a tick longer to load.
Tip: If you don’t see it straight away, open up the Microsoft Store and check if Mail is installed. Usually it comes pre-installed, but if not, you can grab it for free from there.
Step 3: Right-click and choose ‘Open file location’
Once the Mail app appears, right-click on it. A menu will pop up. Click ‘Open file location’. Sometimes, Windows might give you a shortcut instead of the actual icon — just repeat the step if it doesn’t work the first time.
That’ll take you to the folder where the Mail shortcut is stored.
Step 4: Create the desktop shortcut
Right-click the Mail shortcut, then choose ‘Send to’ > ‘Desktop (create shortcut)’. Easy! A new icon should appear on your desktop. If it looks a bit small or funny, right-click the icon, select ‘View’ > ‘Large icons’ or ‘Extra large icons’ for better visibility.
Want to tidy things up? Right-click the icon again, hit ‘Rename’ and give it a name you like (e.g., ‘My Email’). This keeps things clear on your desktop, especially if you’ve got a few shortcuts.
Tips for Putting a Mail Icon on Your Desktop in Windows 11
- You can do the same for other apps — just search, right-click, open file location, then send to desktop.
- If it’s not looking right, give your desktop a quick refresh: right-click somewhere on the desktop and choose ‘Refresh’. Sometimes shortcuts need a little nudge.
- Want to jazz it up? Change the icon: Right-click the shortcut, select Properties, then Change Icon. You can pick from Windows’ own icons or set your own if you prefer.
- If the shortcut disappears or stops working after a Windows update, just redo the process — sometimes updates tidy up or reset desktop shortcuts.
FAQs
Can I make a shortcut for just about any app using this method?
Yeah, pretty much. It works for most apps, especially those with a proper shortcut in the system. Some of the newer UWP apps can be a bit tricky, but for regular desktop apps, this does the job.
What if the Mail app doesn’t show up in the search results?
Make sure it’s actually installed. Head to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps or search manually in the Microsoft Store. If it’s acting up, a quick reinstall might do the trick.
How do I remove the shortcut if I change my mind?
Just right-click the icon and choose ‘Delete’. It won’t uninstall the app, just removes the shortcut from your desktop. Easy as!
Can I swap out the icon to make it look a bit more aussie?
Absolutely! Right-click the shortcut, go to Properties, then hit Change Icon. You can choose a different icon or add your own. Just don’t expect super fancy options — it’s mostly Windows’ built-in icons or your own images.
Will having a shortcut slow my PC down?
Nah. It’s just a link, not the actual app. Unless your desktop’s chocka with icons, it won’t make any noticeable difference.
Quick Summary
- Open the Start Menu.
- Type “Mail” to find the app.
- Right-click and select ‘Open file location’.
- Send it to your desktop as a shortcut.
- And you’re good to go!
Hopefully this makes your life a bit easier. Anything that saves clicks and stops the hassle is worth giving a crack. Good luck, mate!