Bringing the application to your Windows 11 computer screen will allow you to quickly access any important files and tools you use regularly. Shortcuts are useful small icons that you can place on your desktop to eliminate the need to repeatedly open folders on your computer to launch applications.
Besides, some third-party applications do not integrate well with the Start menu and you will not be able to find the application even in Windows search. In such cases, you will need to create shortcuts on the desktop for quick access.
If you are familiar with Windows 10 or earlier versions, you may have difficulty bringing applications to your computer screen in the new Windows 11 interface. The following article will show you how to add applications or icons to the desktop in Windows 11.
Add application shortcuts to the Windows 11 desktop
There are several ways you can create or add application shortcuts to the desktop in Windows 11.
Add application icons to the desktop by dragging and dropping
The easiest and simplest way to add application shortcuts on the desktop in Windows 11 is to drag and drop the application from the Windows Start menu. Follow these steps to add application icons to the desktop:
First, click the button Start on the taskbar to open the Start menu. Then, click the button All apps in the top right corner of the Start menu.
In All appslocate the application for which you want to create a shortcut on the desktop. Now, click on the application and drag it to the desktop.
Now the application shortcut will appear on the desktop.
Add application shortcuts from the Start menu folder
When you install a third-party app from any external source other than the Windows Store, the app is created in the Windows Start-ups. You can create desktop shortcuts from here. Follow these instructions to create a shortcut from the Start-up folder:
To get started, click the button Start on the taskbar. Then, search for the application you want to add to your Windows 11 desktop, right-click on the application above Best matches and choose Open file location. For example, the article is searching Notepad++ here.
Alternatively, you can also click All apps in the top right corner.
Now, from the application list, find the application for which you want to create a shortcut on the desktop. Then right click on the application, expand it More and choose Open file location from the sub menu.
This will open the Start Menu folder. Now, right click on the program icon and select options Show more options to expand the classic context menu.
Now, you will see an old classic context menu. Here, click Send to and then select Desktop (create shortcut) from the submenu. You can also click the button Copy in the new context menu or press Ctrl + C to copy the file and paste it to the desktop.
This will add the selected application icon (shortcut) to your Windows 11 desktop.
Add application shortcuts via the Application folder
The above methods can help you create shortcuts for third-party applications but not for Windows Store programs or built-in Windows applications. This third method will help you create shortcuts for both third-party applications as well as Windows Store programs. Here's how you do this:
Open Windows search, enter CMD and click Command Prompt from search results. Alternatively, press Win + R then enter CMD and press Enter to open Command Prompt.
In Command Prompt, enter the following command and press Enter to run it:
explorer shell:AppsFolder
This will open the Applications folder, where you can find all your preloaded Windows apps, Windows Store apps, and third-party programs. Now, find the application for which you want to create a desktop shortcut. Then right click on the application and select options Create shortcut.
Now click Yes to get to the shortcut confirmation window.
Now, your shortcut will display on the Windows 11 desktop.
Create application shortcuts from the installation folder
However, for some apps like mobile apps, test apps, or others, you cannot create shortcuts using any of the above methods. For those applications, you must add the application to the desktop from the installation folder.
First, navigate to the folder where the app is installed or stored (for portable apps), right-click on the app (.exe), and select Show more options.
Then choose Send to and click options Desktop (create shortcut). By default, most applications are installed in folders Program Files or Program Files (x86) in C drive. You can find your applications there.
Alternatively, you can right-click on an empty area on the desktop, click New and choose Shortcuts.
In the dialog window Create Shortcutclick the button Browse.
Then, navigate to your software installation location and select the application (.exe file) and click OK.
Then, click the button Next to continue.
Next, you can rename the shortcut to the desired name or leave the default name and click Finish.
Your new shortcut is now available on the desktop for use.
