Creating a shortcut for an app on Windows 11 isn’t exactly rocket science, but it’s kind of weird how some apps just refuse to cooperate. You’d think it should be as simple as right-clicking and voila, but nope. Sometimes, you gotta dig a little deeper or use slightly different paths, especially with those Microsoft Store apps that are more “locked down.”
How to Make a Shortcut for an App on Windows 11
Here’s the deal: you want quicker access without digging through menus forever. Doing this the right way helps when an app is buried or if you just want that sweet icon on your desktop. Expect, after this, double-clicking the shortcut will open up the app faster than hunting through the Start menu.
Step 1: Find the App
Start by opening the Start menu. Locate the app you’re after—either scroll through the list or type its name in the search bar. Sometimes, it’s painfully slow if the app isn’t pinned or if it’s a Microsoft Store app that’s hiding behind some restrictions. On some setups, the app’s just not where you expect it, so be prepared for a little digging.
Step 2: Right-Click the App
Once you spot it, right-click on the icon. A context menu will pop up with various options. This is where the magic begins—if the options you want aren’t there, the app might be one of those weird Microsoft Store ones that don’t give you direct access to the file location. Yeah, Windows has to make it a little more complicated than it needs to.
Step 3: Select ‘Open File Location’
Click on ‘Open File Location’. On some machines, this works straightforwardly, but on others, it’s grayed out or missing. If it’s not there, don’t panic — try the next method below. Sometimes, for modern apps, the ‘Open File Location’ takes you to a shortcut rather than the actual executable, which can be annoying.
Pro tip: If you don’t see ‘Open File Location’ at all, sometimes you can find the app’s executable (.exe) by right-clicking the shortcut in the Start menu, choosing ‘More’ > ‘Open File Location’. Or, search manually in C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files (x86) — but that’s more advanced.
Step 4: Create the Shortcut
In the folder that opens, right-click the app’s executable file (.exe) and select ‘Create Shortcut’. That’s kinda weird, but that creates a shortcut right there. On some setups, you might get a message about the shortcut being created on the desktop directly if you right-click on .exe from the start. If you want the shortcut on your desktop, just drag it there. Honestly, it’s easier to just drag and drop once you see the icon.
Note: For some UWP or Microsoft Store apps, the ‘.exe’ isn’t directly accessible, so you might need to go about it differently, like creating a shortcut manually from shell:AppsFolder via PowerShell or Command Prompt.
Step 5: Move the Shortcut to Your Desktop
Now, drag the shortcut to your desktop or wherever you want it. Double-click it to test—if it opens the app, you’re golden. If not, check the target path in the shortcut’s properties; sometimes, it ends up pointing to the wrong location or needs a tweak.
On some setups, the shortcut might not work until you run the app at least once from the original location or after a reboot. Windows can be weird like that.
Tips for Making a Shortcut for an App on Windows 11
- Give your shortcuts clear, easy-to-remember names so they don’t get lost in the clutter.
- Pin the shortcuts to the taskbar by right-clicking and selecting ‘Pin to taskbar’ for faster access.
- You can cozy up the icon by right-clicking, hitting Properties, then Change Icon. Because sometimes, plain icons just don’t cut it.
- If you’ve got dozens, group shortcuts in folders or on your desktop, makes life less chaotic.
- Use ‘Send To’ > Desktop (create shortcut) if the app you’re trying to shortcut is stubborn or if you already have a shortcut in a different folder.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change the shortcut’s icon?
Right-click the shortcut, choose Properties, then click on Change Icon. Pick something nice, or at least recognizable, then hit OK. Not always straightforward, but it’s doable.
Can I create a shortcut for a file or folder?
Yup. Same steps—find it, right-click, create shortcut. That works for both files and folders, handy for a quick way to access rarely used stuff.
What if ‘Open File Location’ is grayed out?
Yeah, sometimes Windows just won’t give you that option, especially for certain apps from the Microsoft Store or modern UWP type. When that happens, you might need to manually locate the app’s executable or use shortcuts from shell:AppsFolder via PowerShell, which is a bit more advanced.
Can I delete the original app after creating a shortcut?
Probably not a good idea unless you know what you’re doing. The shortcut just points to where the app is installed. If you delete the app, the shortcut stops working. Good to keep the original unless you want the app gone.
How do I remove a shortcut?
Right-click the shortcut and pick Delete. Easy. Just be sure you’re deleting the shortcut, not the app itself.
Summary
- Find the App
- Right-Click the App
- Select ‘Open File Location’
- Create the Shortcut (if needed)
- Move it where you want
Conclusion
Yeah, making shortcuts on Windows 11 isn’t rocket science, but it’s surprisingly frustrating sometimes. If it works out, it’s a huge time-saver — kind of like skipping the long lines at checkout. Just be prepared for some fiddling, especially with those tricky Microsoft Store apps that like to hide behind walls.
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. Happy shortcutting!