Windows 10: How to Create a Desktop Shortcut for a Microsoft Store App ?

Hello,I recently purchased a license for Nebo via the Microsoft Store and I would like to create a desktop shortcut for this application. However, this is proving to be more complicated than expected, even for someone with over 30 years of experience with Microsoft products. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be for younger generations…With the help of Copilot, I found out that applications installed via the Microsoft Store are located in a specific folder on the hard drive. By default, they are stored in a hidden folder called WindowsApps, located in the C:\Program Files dir

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How to create desktop shortcut for newly installed apps from Windows 10 store?

Hi,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

Let me answer your query on Windows 10.

When you install any app from the store, the app will be in the start menu "all apps" list or on the start menu tiles.

Follow the below steps to place a shortcut for apps from store.

1. Click on the start menu and select all apps.

2. Select the app for which you want a shortcut on the desktop.

3. Click the app and drag the it to the desktop screen.

4. You may follow the same steps to create a shortcut for other apps as well.

Hope the information helps, do reply if you need further assistance.

Thank you.

 

Does the Microsoft Store not create desktop shortcuts for downloaded apps anymore?

Hi Aaron, I am Paulo and I'd like to help.

I believe Microsoft Store apps no longer create desktop shortcuts, well mostly. However, this still depends on the creator of the app. At most, apps should appear in the Start menu under the Recommended section when installed.

To create desktop shortcuts for apps downloaded from the Microsoft Store, press Windows + R and type shell:AppsFolder. Then, simply drag the desired apps onto the desktop to create shortcuts.

 

Easy Way to Create Desktop Shortcut for Apps

The only way I know of to create a desktop shortcut for an app is slightly complicated because I have to hunt down and search for the .exe file and then create a shortcut from that. This is a lot harder than it sounds because I find apps installed in multiple different folders. Here are a few examples of the desktop shortcuts I want to create:

• Microsoft Defender
  
• Windows Security
  
• Microsoft Family
  
• Mail
  
• Microsoft To-Do
  
• Notepad
  

Plus many others. For those I listed above, I have no idea where the .exe file is in order to create a desktop shortcut from it. So again, is there an easier way to create a desktop shortcut when I can't find the .exe file?