Adding apps to your desktop in Windows 11 might seem straightforward, but sometimes the actual steps are messier than they should be. Maybe you’ve pinned apps in the Start menu or on the taskbar, but creating a desktop shortcut isn’t so obvious or consistent. Or maybe you’re tired of hunting through menus every time—it’s kind of weird, but those little shortcuts can really save a ton of time. This guide aims to clear that up, so you can get those icons where you want them without pulling your hair out. And hey, if some apps just don’t want to play nice, or you find that the options to create shortcuts are missing, don’t worry — there are still ways around it. The goal is to make your workflow smoother, especially if you’re juggling multiple apps every day. Here’s what works, what doesn’t, and some tricks to get there.
How to Add Apps to Desktop in Windows 11
Find the app you want in the Start menu
First, open the Start menu by clicking the Windows icon or pressing Win. Search for your app either by scrolling or typing its name in the search bar. Sometimes apps aren’t straightforward to pin or create shortcuts for, especially if they came from the Microsoft Store or are system apps, but generally, you can right-click to get options.
Right-click and check for options
When you locate the app, right-click on it. On some setups, you’ll see options like Pin to Start or Pin to Taskbar just like before, but to get a desktop shortcut, here’s the tricky part—look for Open file location. If it’s there, great. If not, sometimes you’ll need to manually create one.
Open file location and create a shortcut
Click Open file location. If that’s missing — which is common for apps from the Microsoft Store — you might have to make the shortcut manually. To do that, find the executable file (.exe) of the app. Usually, it’s in C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files (x86)\. Right-click the.exe, choose Send to – > Desktop (create shortcut). Boom, now you have a desktop icon.
Heads up, creating shortcuts for apps installed via the Microsoft Store isn’t always straightforward because they don’t always expose an executable in the usual places. You might need to locate the package folder manually or use third-party tools like Winhance from GitHub to manage these shortcuts more easily.
Why this helps
This method works because it actually points Windows directly to the app’s executable, which is what you need for a shortcut. When done right, clicking the icon on your desktop opens the app instantly, saving you a few clicks and clicks. On some machines, this might fail the first time, especially if permissions or system settings block access, so don’t get discouraged if it’s a bit “hit or miss” at first.
Tips for Making It Easier
- Use the search bar in the Start menu — typing the app name makes finding the right one way faster.
- If you can’t find the “Open file location” option, try searching for the app’s.exe directly or look in
C:\Program Files. - For stubborn apps, consider using third-party shortcut managers like Winhance, which can make shortcuts for apps that don’t expose shortcuts normally.
- Rearranging icons on your desktop or taskbar is easy—drag and drop, just like the old days.
- Clean up regularly by deleting unused shortcuts to avoid clutter.
More questions?
What if I can’t find the app’s executable?
That’s common for some modern apps or store apps. In those cases, you can try Winhance to generate shortcuts or locate the app’s underlying files through the app’s installation directory. Or, if you know the app’s shortcut in the Start menu, right-click and Pin to Taskbar instead — that sometimes works as a workaround.
Can I add any app to my desktop this way?
Most apps are fine, but some built-in system apps or store apps are more locked down. If the manual creation of shortcuts isn’t working, there’s always third-party tools to help.
What about if an app is missing from the context menu?
This is kinda common with newer apps or system integrations. You might need to re-register the app via PowerShell or tweak permissions. Again, third-party tools can make shortcuts for you in some cases.
Summary
- Locate the app in the Start menu, try right-clicking to open file location.
- If you can’t, find the app’s executable manually in Program Files or use third-party shortcuts tools.
- Create a desktop shortcut for quick access.
- Rearrange, delete, or pin as needed for your workflow.
Wrap-up
Getting shortcuts on your desktop isn’t always as simple as it sounds, especially with some newer apps and store downloads. But with a bit of digging and the right tools, it’s totally doable. Keep in mind that some apps just don’t want to be shortcut-friendly, so sometimes a workaround or third-party app is necessary. This isn’t perfect, but it’s better than hunting down apps every single time.
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. Just remember, Windows is kind of weird about shortcuts sometimes, but persistence usually pays off. Good luck!