How to Make a Desktop Shortcut in Windows 11

To make a desktop shortcut in Windows 11, right-click an empty part of the desktop, select New > Shortcut, browse to the app, file, or folder, then select Next and Finish. To add an app, you can also drag it from the Start menu straight onto the desktop, or use Send to > Desktop (create shortcut) in File Explorer.

A shortcut is a small link to something stored elsewhere, so deleting it never deletes the app or file. Below are the main methods, plus shortcuts for Settings pages, Microsoft Store apps, and shutting down.

Create a Shortcut From the Desktop

This method works for any app, file, folder, or website address.

1. Right-click an empty area of the desktop.
2. Select New, then Shortcut.
3. Select Browse and pick the item you want, or type its full location, such as C:\Windows\System32\notepad.exe.
4. Select Next.
5. Type a name for the shortcut. This is the label that appears under the icon.
6. Select Finish.

Drag an App From the Start Menu

1. Select the Start button.
2. Select All to see every installed app. If you already see the full list, skip this step.
3. Find the app, then click and drag it onto the desktop.
4. Release the mouse button. Windows creates a shortcut and leaves the app in the Start menu.

This is the method Microsoft recommends for apps in its desktop shortcut guide. For a file, that guide uses Show more options > Create shortcut, which puts the shortcut in the same folder. Drag it to the desktop afterward, or use Send to below.

Use Send To in File Explorer

Use this for a file, folder, or program you already have open in File Explorer.

1. Open File Explorer with Windows key + E and find the item.
2. Right-click it and select Show more options. You can also select the item and press Shift + F10.
3. Select Send to, then Desktop (create shortcut).

Another quick way: hold Alt while you drag a file or folder from File Explorer onto the desktop. Windows makes a shortcut instead of moving the item.

Make a Shortcut for Any App, Including Store Apps

If an app won’t drag out of the Start menu, or you can’t find its program file, use the hidden Applications folder.

1. Press Windows key + R.
2. Type shell:AppsFolder and press Enter.
3. Find the app in the window that opens.
4. Right-click it and select Create shortcut.
5. Select Yes when Windows asks to put the shortcut on the desktop.

Move an App From the Taskbar to the Desktop

Create the app’s desktop shortcut using Start or shell:AppsFolder above, then double-click it to make sure it opens the right app. If you want to remove the taskbar pin afterward, right-click the pinned app on the taskbar and select Unpin from taskbar, as described in Microsoft’s taskbar guide.

The desktop shortcut and taskbar pin are separate links to the installed app. You can keep both. Unpinning does not uninstall the app; a running app can still appear on the taskbar until its window closes. There is no need to move files out of Program Files or WindowsApps.

Make Shortcuts for Settings, Shut Down, and Websites

Use the New > Shortcut steps above, and type one of these in the location box:

• A Settings page: ms-settings:display opens Display settings, and ms-settings:windowsupdate opens Windows Update. Microsoft lists every page in its ms-settings reference.
• Shut down: shutdown /s /t 0 turns off the PC right away when you double-click the shortcut, so save your work first. Use shutdown /r /t 0 to restart instead.
• A website: type the full address, such as https://www.bing.com. For more options, see how to make a desktop shortcut for a website.

Launch a Desktop Program With a Keyboard Shortcut

First create a desktop shortcut with one of the methods above. Right-click it, select Properties, and open the Shortcut tab. Click in the Shortcut key box and press a letter; Windows sets it to Ctrl + Alt plus that letter. Select Apply, then OK, and try the key combination. Pick a combination no other app uses, because a conflict stops it from working, as a Microsoft Q&A answer explains. To remove the hotkey, clear the box so it shows None, then select Apply.

The same Shortcut tab has the Target box, which you can edit to change the program or file a shortcut opens.

Tips for Desktop Shortcuts

• A shortcut has a small arrow on its icon. Deleting the shortcut doesn’t delete the app or file it opens.
• To rename a shortcut, select it and press F2.
• If you don’t see your shortcuts, right-click the desktop and make sure View > Show desktop icons is checked.
• For This PC, Recycle Bin, and other system icons, see how to add desktop icons in Windows 11.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change a shortcut’s icon?

1. Right-click the shortcut and select Properties.
2. On the Shortcut tab, select Change Icon.
3. Pick an icon, then select OK twice.

Can I put a shortcut on the taskbar instead?

Yes. Right-click the app in the Start menu and select Pin to taskbar. See how to pin to the taskbar in Windows 11.

Why does my shortcut say the item can’t be found?

The app or file was moved, renamed, or deleted. Delete the old shortcut and create a new one that points to the current location.