Quick Tip: How To Place an App Shortcut on Your Windows 10 Desktop

We have been able to put shortcuts on the Windows desktop ever since the release of Windows 95 but many do not realize that in the Windows 10 era this is now possible to do with apps from the Windows Store which are sometimes referred to as modern apps.

Richard Hay, Senior Content Producer

September 14, 2016

2 Min Read
Quick Tip: How To Place an App Shortcut on Your Windows 10 Desktop

Windows has had the ability to add shortcuts to the desktop ever since the release of Windows 95.

In the era before the customizable Windows Taskbar it was a great way to have quick access to programs we used regularly instead of having to browse through a nested Start Menu to find our favorite software.

Then, when the overhauled Taskbar arrived on the scene with Windows 7, we had another area to stick program shortcuts. My preference has long been to use the Taskbar and keep my desktop very clean and clear except for about four shortcuts.

Now with Windows 10 and its fully customizable Start Menu we have even more places to have shortcuts to our favorite software and apps however, what many do not realize is that you can now place a shortcut to apps from the Windows Store on the desktop instead of just in the normal spots like the Start Menu and Taskbar.

The process is very simple:

  1. Locate the app you want to have a shortcut for on the desktop by locating it in the All Apps List or the Start Menu area.

  2. Left Click on that apps icon and the drag it to any area of the desktop and then release the mouse button.

This is what your screen should look like as you are ready to drop the app shortcut on your desktop.

After you drop the app shortcut you will see this:

The shortcut can then be moved around the desktop like any other shortcut to place it exactly where you want it to remain.

Unfortunately, theses shortcuts are not Live Tiles so no updates like you might see on the Start Menu but maybe one day we will have the ability to have active Live Tiles right on the desktop.

Check out this GIF to see the click, drag and drop in action for app shortcuts on Windows 10.

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Be sure to check out all of our Windows 10 Anniversary Update Coverage.

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About the Author

Richard Hay

Senior Content Producer, IT Pro Today (Informa Tech)

I served for 29 plus years in the U.S. Navy and retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer in November 2011. My work background in the Navy was telecommunications related so my hobby of computers fit well with what I did for the Navy. I consider myself a tech geek and enjoy most things in that arena.

My first website – AnotherWin95.com – came online in 1995. Back then I used GeoCities Web Hosting for it and WindowsObserver.com is the result of the work I have done on that site since 1995.

In January 2010 my community contributions were recognized by Microsoft when I received my first Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award for the Windows Operating System. Since then I have been renewed as a Microsoft MVP each subsequent year since that initial award. I am also a member of the inaugural group of Windows Insider MVPs which began in 2016.

I previously hosted the Observed Tech PODCAST for 10 years and 317 episodes and now host a new podcast called Faith, Tech, and Space. 

I began contributing to Penton Technology websites in January 2015 and in April 2017 I was hired as the Senior Content Producer for Penton Technology which is now Informa Tech. In that role, I contribute to ITPro Today and cover operating systems, enterprise technology, and productivity.

https://twitter.com/winobs

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