Customizing your desktop in Windows 11 is a great way to boost productivity and keep your most-used apps just a click away. In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through how to add apps to your desktop, whether they’re traditional programs or Microsoft Store apps.
Let’s make your desktop work for you!
🖥️ Step 1: Enable Default Desktop Icons
Before adding custom app shortcuts, you might want to bring back default desktop icons like This PC and Recycle Bin.
Here’s how:
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Click the Start Menu and go to Settings.
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Select Personalization, then click on Themes.
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Scroll down and click Desktop icon settings.
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In the pop-up window, check the icons you want (Computer, Recycle Bin, etc.).
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Click Apply and OK.
You’ll now see those icons appear on your desktop.
🧩 Step 2: Add Specific Apps to Desktop
To add any app to your desktop (like Photoshop, Word, or Spotify), follow these easy steps:
Method 1: Drag From the Start Menu
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Open the Start Menu.
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Click All Apps to view your complete app list.
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Find the app you want, then click and drag it to your desktop.
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That’s it! A shortcut icon will now appear.
💡 Pro Tip: You can arrange these icons manually or right-click on your desktop > Sort by > Name to auto-align.
🧼 Step 3: Clean Up or Remove Shortcuts
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To remove a shortcut: Right-click the icon and choose Delete. This removes the shortcut only—not the actual app.
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To remove the little arrow on shortcuts: There’s a registry tweak that handles this. Here’s a helpful tutorial from another creator if you want to go that route.
💡 Bonus Tip: Keep It Clean & Fast
Want an even quicker way to launch your favorite apps?
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Right-click the app in Start and choose Pin to Taskbar
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Or choose Pin to Start to keep it right at the top of your menu.
