How To 

How to add Internet Explorer desktop icon in Windows 10

UGHJuZF.png

If, for some reason, you want to use Internet Explorer, you might find it absent from the desktop if you upgraded from Windows 7 or 8. The install can be a barebones affair with only My Computer, Recycle Bin and Control Panel on the desktop or the taskbar. So if you need to add the Internet Explorer desktop icon in Windows 10, here’s how.

There are actually a couple of ways to add IE to your desktop. I’ll list them all and you can pick whatever one you prefer.

Add Internet Explorer desktop icon in Windows 10

1. Type or paste ‘Internet Explorer’ into the Search Windows box.

Or:

2. Navigate to C: Program Files\Internet Explorer, right click the iexplore.exe file and select ‘Send to, Desktop (Create shortcut).

Or:

3. Select the shortcut above and choose ‘Pin to Start’ or ‘Pin to taskbar’ to add it there too.

Since Microsoft is keen for everyone to use Edge rather than Internet Explorer, it doesn’t feature on the desktop as prominently as it once did. Strangely, Edge isn’t to be found on the desktop either. Should you want to use Edge as well, just follow the steps above and search for Microsoft Edge instead of Internet Explorer.

Add Microsoft Edge desktop icon in Windows 10
You can type or paste ‘Edge’ into the Search Windows box to access the program.

You will find the executable at ‘C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe’ but you cannot use it as a traditional shortcut. Even if you double click it, it won’t work. You have to use the shortcut in the task bar or the live tile to get Edge working.

More Windows 10 tutorials you might like:
How to get into advanced startup options in Windows 10
Quick guide to optimizing Windows 10
How to Optimize boot performance of Windows 10