How to add already installed apps on to your desktop on a Windows 10 (or 11)

Person 0 Reputation points
2026-10-11T16:50:47.6633333+00:00

I am trying to add the Photos app onto my desktop on my Windows 10 (or 11 I am not sure which one mine is) but it is not working.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Desktop, Start, and personalization | Desktop
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  1. DaveM121 938.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-10-11T17:30:13.7833333+00:00

    Basically on your Start Menu you need to show the long alphabetical list of installed apps, then drag an app from that long list onto your Desktop to create a new Desktop shortcut, the process is the same for Windows 10 and 11, but the steps are different for Windows 10 and 11.

    This process only works from the long alphabetical list on the Start Menu.

    Windows 10.

    Click the button indicated below to show the long alphabetical list of installed apps.

    2026-10-11_183157

    Windows 11.

    Click the drop-down menu indicated below on your Start Menu, then change Category to List, to see the long alphabetical list of installed apps.

    2026-10-11_182441

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  2. AI answer

    2026-10-11T16:51:02.2266667+00:00

    Use one of these methods:

    1. From Start:
      • Select Start and, in Windows 11, select All to see the full app list.
      • Find Photos.
      • Drag Photos onto the desktop to create a shortcut.
    2. If drag-and-drop does not work:
      • Press Windows + R.
      • Type shell:appsfolder and press Enter.
      • Find Photos in the Apps folder.
      • Right-click it and select Create Shortcut.
      • When Windows says it can’t create the shortcut there, select Yes to place it on the desktop.
    3. General desktop shortcut method:
      • Right-click an empty area of the desktop.
      • Select New > Shortcut.
      • Follow the prompts.

    For Microsoft Store apps such as Photos, the Start drag-and-drop method or shell:appsfolder method is typically the one that works.

    References:

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