Want to quickly access your email right from your Windows 11 desktop? Adding a mail icon isn’t hard, but sometimes it feels like Windows makes it more complicated than it needs to be. Anyway, here’s a pretty reliable way to do it that’s worked for plenty of folks.
Step-by-Step Tutorial on Putting Mail Icon on Desktop Windows 11
This process creates a shortcut for your mail app directly on your desktop so you can jump into your inbox faster. No more digging through menus or waiting for apps to load.
Step 1: Open the Start Menu
Hit the Windows key or click the Start button in the bottom-left corner. This is basically where all magic begins—your app launcher and search center.
Step 2: Search for the Mail App
Type Mail into the search bar at the top of the Start menu. On some setups, this is annoying because Windows can take a second or two or tend to be slow about it, especially if you’re running on a slightly older machine or SSD cache isn’t great.
Tip: if you don’t see it immediately, try opening the Microsoft Store and make sure Mail is installed. It’s usually pre-installed, but you never know. If it’s not, download it — it’s free.
Step 3: Right-click and select ‘Open file location’
Once the Mail app shows up, right-click on it. A menu pops up. Click on ‘Open file location’. Sometimes, this hits a snag—Windows might not directly give you the app’s icon but a shortcut. Just repeat the step if it doesn’t work the first time.
After that, you’ll land in the folder that contains the shortcut to the Mail app.
Step 4: Create the desktop shortcut
Right-click the Mail shortcut in that folder, pick ‘Send to’ > ‘Desktop (create shortcut)’. Easy as that. Now, a new icon should appear on your desktop. If it looks weird or tiny, right-click the icon, choose ‘View’ > ‘Large icons’ or ‘Extra large icons’ to make it more visible.
Also, if you want, right-click again and pick ‘Rename’ to give it a better label (like ‘My Email’) — helps keep your desktop tidy especially if you’re creating shortcuts for multiple apps.
And that’s pretty much it. Clicking that icon opens your mail app right up, no muss, no fuss.
Tips on Putting Mail Icon on Desktop Windows 11
- You can do the same with other apps—just search, right-click, open file location, send to desktop.
- If it’s not showing the way you want, try cleaning the desktop cache: right-click the desktop, select ‘Refresh’. On some setups, shortcuts can get a little wonky and need a refresh.
- Want it to look cooler? Change the icon: Right-click the shortcut, go to Properties, then Change Icon. You can pick from Windows built-in icons or set your own.
- If the shortcut disappears or doesn’t work after updates, just redo the process — Windows updates sometimes reset or delete desktop shortcuts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a shortcut for pretty much any app using this method?
Yeah, pretty much. It works for most apps, especially ones with a proper shortcut in the file system. Some UWP apps or newer ones can be tricky, but for standard desktop apps, this should do the trick.
What if the Mail app isn’t in the search results?
Make sure it’s actually installed. Open Settings > Apps > Installed Apps or search manually in the Microsoft Store. Sometimes, a reset or reinstall of the Mail app is needed if it’s acting weird.
How do I undo or remove the shortcut if I change my mind?
Just right-click the icon and pick ‘Delete’. Doesn’t uninstall the app — just gets rid of the shortcut from your desktop. Easy.
Can I change the icon image of this mail shortcut?
Definitely. Right-click, go to Properties, then click Change Icon. Pick something different or make it more personalized. But don’t expect super fancy options; it’s all Windows’ built-in icons or your own images.
Will creating a shortcut slow down my PC?
Nah. It’s just a pointer, not the actual app. So unless your desktop is cluttered with hundreds of icons, performance impact is minimal.
Summary
- Open the Start Menu.
- Type “Mail” to find the app.
- Right-click, pick ‘Open file location’.
- Send it to your desktop as a shortcut.
- Enjoy quick access next time.
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. Seriously, anything that reduces clicks and frustration is worth it sometimes. Good luck!