Getting apps onto your Windows 11 desktop isn’t as straightforward as clicking and dragging anymore, but it’s still manageable once you know the quirks. Maybe you’ve noticed that right-clicking the app icon in the Start menu doesn’t always give you the option to “Send to Desktop (create shortcut).” Or perhaps the menu options are a bit limited unless you dig into “Show More Options”—a little extra step, but worth it if you want that shortcut on your desktop. It kind of feels like Windows has made it a little harder than before, but with a few tweaks, it’s doable. This quick guide helps you get those shortcuts ready without messing up your original app layout or hunting down hidden files. Plus, it’s handy if you want quick access without cluttering your taskbar or Start menu clutter.
How to Fix Putting Apps on Desktop in Windows 11
Show More Options to Get the Shortcut
If right-clicking in the Start menu just gives you a slim menu, you’ll need to access the “Show More Options” menu. Sometimes Windows 11 streamlines those menus, but pressing Shift + F10 or clicking the right mouse button twice rapidly can bring up the classic menu. Once it’s expanded, look for “Send to” > “Desktop (create shortcut).” That’s often the easiest fix—a lot of folks forget about how Windows has hidden some functions behind that limited menu.
This method helps when the usual right-click options are missing or limited, especially with newer Windows updates or if a single app’s entry doesn’t bring up the full context menu. On some setups, the shortcut might take a second or two to appear, but generally, after you do it once, it’s smooth sailing afterward.
Use Drag-and-Drop via File Explorer
Another way that kinda weird, but works is dragging the app’s executable or shortcut directly from the installation folder or Start Menu > All Apps (you can get there by typing shell:AppsFolder into the Run dialog Windows + R) onto the desktop. So, open File Explorer, go into C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs or use the special folder path, find the app, then drag it onto your desktop.
Not quite as elegant, but it’s especially useful if you want to create shortcuts for apps that don’t appear in the Start menu properly or are stubborn. On one setup it worked right away, on another you might have to pin the app first and then drag it. Not sure why it works sometimes, but it does.
Using the Context Menu in the Start Menu’s All Apps List
Some apps don’t show the “Send to Desktop” option directly, but if you right-click the app icon in All Apps (by opening Start > All Apps or entering shell:Appsfolder into Run), you might see a context menu that allows creating shortcuts or pinning to Start or Taskbar. To do that, right-click and see if “Create shortcut” or “Pin to Desktop” shows up. On some machines this fails the first time, then works after a reboot, which is kind of frustrating but worth trying.
Because Windows likes to keep us guessing, these little tricks are sometimes hit or miss depending on your version or how the app was installed. But overall, using the “Show More Options” or dragging from the Apps folder tends to help most of the time.
Tips for Managing Desktop Shortcuts
- Use the search bar in Start for quick app location.
- Group and organize shortcuts into folders if your desktop gets cluttered.
- Remember that creating shortcuts doesn’t uninstall or move the app—just adds an easy link.
- For frequently used apps, pin them to the taskbar as a faster alternative.
- If you want to rename a shortcut, right-click and hit “Rename.”
Summary
- Right-click the app in Start or All Apps.
- Choose “Show More Options” if the menu is limited.
- Select “Send to Desktop (create shortcut).”
- If that doesn’t work, try dragging from the App folder or using the context menu in File Explorer.
Wrap-up
Getting those shortcuts on the desktop isn’t totally impossible, just a bit easier with the right approach. Windows 11 made some things more streamlined, but that often means missing some familiar options—like sending apps directly to the desktop. Still, with these tricks, it’s not too bad. Just beware that sometimes the context menu is hiding the real options or needs a quick reboot. Overall, it’s all about finding the method that fits your setup best. Hopefully, this shaves off some time and confusion for someone trying to get everything just right.