Why does Microsoft Edge shortcut keep appearing on my desktop?

Anonymous
2023-01-21T04:04:01+00:00

I don't use Edge as my main browser but in the last few weeks the shortcut has appeared 2-4 times on the desktop. I delete it but it reappears a few days later. Has someone hacked my PC?

Microsoft Edge | Other | Windows 10

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Anonymous
2023-01-21T10:09:33+00:00

Got the same thing but it's already disabled, really getting annoying.

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-01-22T03:13:27+00:00

    Same issue. It is very intrusive. Step back Microsoft this is not okay.

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  2. lmacri 2,505 Reputation points
    2023-01-21T13:16:35+00:00

    Hi Mihir_830:

    I use Firefox as my default browser, but I'm seeing the same issue on my Win 10 Pro v22H2 laptop where a new shortcut for MS Edge appears on my desktop every time MS Edge is updated. I'm not sure but I think this started around 13-Jan-2023 when my MS Edge browser updated from v108.x to v109.x on 13-Jan-2023.

    According to Martin Brinkmann's 21-Jan-2023 ghacks.net article How to Block Microsoft Edge From Creating Desktop Shortcuts you can stop this with a registry edit, but for now I think I'll just send feedback to Microsoft [open MS Edge and go to More (three dots in top right corner) | Help and Feedback | Send Feedback] and see if Microsoft fixes this unwanted behaviour in a future release.

    Kudos to LittleBull for providing a link to that ghacks.net article in post # 252489 of the AskWoody.com topic New Microsoft Edge Shortcuts Added to All Desktop Profiles.

    Dell Inspiron 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.2486 * Firefox v109.0.0 * MS Edge v109.0.1518.61 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.2211.5-1.1.19900.2 * Malwarebytes Premium v4.5.20.230-1.0.1868 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7279

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-01-21T07:47:12+00:00

    Hi Mihar. I'm Greg, here to help you with this.

    I've seen a lot of complaints about this recently. It turns out the culprit is a Startup task Edge has set in Task Manager > Startup tab. If you disable it there it should not come back. But you may have to turn it off again after Updates.

    If it's not there then you can check all the other places where Startup freeloaders can hide and disable it there along with any other startups that can wait to start until you start them. This is covered in Step 4 of this Performance Checklist for Windows 10: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

    If you want to express your opinion on this to Edge Developers you can choose the Edge Hub (three dots to right of URL address bar) then Help & Feedback, then Feedback form to fill out. They will not even see it here.

    Feel free to ask back any questions. Based on the detailed results you post back, I will have other suggestions if necessary.

    ______________________________________________

    Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-01-22T06:08:40+00:00

    FR, It's annoying! I just want to enjoy Firefox!

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