

This would open up the Start Menu folder. Then, right-click on the app, expand ‘More’ and select ‘Open file location’ from the sub-menu. Now, from the list of apps, find the app that you want to create a desktop shortcut for. For instance, we are searching ‘Notepad++’ in the Windows search here.Īlternatively, you can also click the ‘All apps’ at the top right corner. Then, search for the application you want to add to the Windows 11 desktop, right-click the app on the Best match and select ‘Open file location’. To start with, click the ‘Start’ button in the taskbar. Follow these instructions to create shortcuts from the Start-up folder: With these shortcuts, you can create desktop shortcuts. When you install the third-party application from any external source other than the Windows Store, the application will be created in the Windows Start-up folder. Add Application Shortcut from Start Menu Folder Now the application’s shortcut will appear on the Desktop.

Now, click on the app and drag it onto the desktop. Under All Apps, locate the application for which you want to make a desktop shortcut. Then, click on the ‘All apps’ button at the top right corner of the Start menu. Follow these steps to add an app icon to the desktop:įirst, click the ‘Start’ button on the taskbar to open the Start menu.

The easiest and simplest way for adding a desktop app shortcut in Windows 11 is by dragging and dropping the application from the Windows Start menu. Add App Icons to Desktop using Drag and Drop There are several ways you can create or add desktop shortcuts for applications in Windows 11. Add App Shortcuts to the Desktop in Windows 11 If that’s the case, we will show how you can add apps or icons to the desktop in Windows 11. If you are accustomed to Windows 10 or earlier versions, you may find it challenging to add apps or add shortcuts to Desktop in the new Windows 11 user interface. So, in such cases, you will need to create shortcuts in the Desktop to quickly access it. And you will end up hunting through File Explorer to find where it is installed and launch the app. Shortcuts are useful little icons that you can put on your desktop to eliminate the need for searching for an application in the Windows search and opening them again and again or digging through folders on the computer to launch an app.īesides, some third-party application doesn’t integrate well with the Start menu and you won’t be able to find it even in Windows search. You can also use the Applications folder or the Installation folder.Īdding desktop shortcuts will allow you to quickly access any important file and applications you use frequently. To add apps to the Windows 11 desktop, either drag and drop the app from the Start menu to the Desktop or create a shortcut by right-clicking on the app in the Start menu folder, selecting 'Open file location', and sending it to the desktop.
