How to create a Microsoft Edge desktop shortcut

Shortcuts are a great way to quickly access programs, files, folders, and web pages. While we already have a page on how to create desktop shortcuts, making a shortcut for Microsoft Edge is a bit more tricky. The following steps show you how to put a shortcut on your desktop that opens the Microsoft Edge Internet browser.

Steps to create a Microsoft Edge desktop shortcut

1. Right-click an empty area on the Windows desktop and select New in the drop-down menu.

2. Under New, select the Shortcut option.

3. In the Type the location of the item text field (A), enter the following text.

%windir%\explorer.exe shell:Appsfolder\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe!MicrosoftEdge

4. Click the Next button (B).

4. Choose a name for your new shortcut icon (A), then click the Finish button (B).

5. Locate and right-click the new shortcut icon on your desktop and select Properties from the drop-down menu.

6. Near the middle of the Properties window, click the button.
7. On the Change Icon window, in the Look for icons in this file text field (A), enter the following text.

%windir%\SystemApps\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\MicrosoftEdge.exe

8. Click the OK button (B).

8. Click the OK button again to select the displayed icon.
9. Back on the Properties window, at the bottom, click the Apply button, then click the OK button.

You should now see a Microsoft Edge shortcut on your desktop with the Microsoft Edge icon to match it.