[Article] Quick Tip: Create desktop shortcuts in Windows 10

Question

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Technical Level : Basic

Summary

One of the common customization tasks that Windows users like to do is add a shortcut to their favorite apps on the Desktop. In this article, we take a look doing that.

Details

One of the missing puzzles in Windows 8/8.1 was the inability to place a shortcut for Universal Apps on the desktop. Users will be pleased to know you can do this now in Windows 10.

Shortcuts to Universal Windows apps on the desktop

Here are a couple ways you can create a desktop shortcut in Windows 10. For this example, I will be creating a shortcut of the Photos app:

Adding a shortcut requires a simple drag and drop action.

Left click on the tile or icon then drag and release on the desktop

For icons such as This PC, Network, Control Panel

Press Windows key + S Type: show desktop icons

or

Click Start > Settings > Personalization > Themes > Desktop icon settings

Hit Enter

Check off the icons you want displayed on the desktop.

Then click Apply and OK

To create shortcuts to your favorite websites on the desktop

Launch Internet Explorer, the click the left mouse button on the URL icon for the desired website, then drag and release on the desktop.

You can also drag and drop on the desktop