You just downloaded the game. You're ready to punch some trees, maybe hide from a Creeper or two, but there's a problem. The icon is gone. It’s buried somewhere in your Start menu or stuck in a folder you can’t find. Figuring out how to put minecraft launcher on desktop should be easy, yet Microsoft and Mojang have made it surprisingly annoying over the last few years.
Honestly, it’s a mess.
Between the transition from the old "Win32" launcher to the new Microsoft Store version, the way shortcuts work has changed. If you grew up playing the Java Edition in 2012, you probably remember just dragging an .exe file and being done with it. Now? You’re dealing with the Xbox app ecosystem, shell commands, and UWP (Universal Windows Platform) apps that act like they don't want to be found.
Why the New Launcher is Actually Different
Most players don't realize that there are currently two "official" ways to play. There’s the legacy launcher (the one that still works on Windows 7 and 8) and the modern Windows 10/11 version. If you have the modern one, it technically isn't a standard "program" in the way your brain thinks it is. It’s an "app." This matters because you can't just go into C:\Program Files and find a simple executable to right-click.
If you're using the Microsoft Store version, the file is tucked away in a highly protected folder called WindowsApps. Don’t try to go in there. You'll hit a wall of permission errors that would make a sysadmin cry. Instead, we have to use the "Shell" trick. It sounds technical, but it’s basically a secret back door to see every app installed on your machine.
How to Put Minecraft Launcher on Desktop: The Folder Trick
This is the most reliable way. It works for the Java Edition, Bedrock, and even the Dungeons launcher if you have that installed.
First, hit the Windows Key + R on your keyboard. This opens the "Run" dialog box. It’s a tiny little window that’s been part of Windows since the 90s. Type shell:AppsFolder into that box and hit Enter.
Suddenly, a window pops up with every single app on your PC. It looks like a standard File Explorer window, but it's actually a virtual map of your software. Scroll down until you see the Minecraft icon. It might be labeled "Minecraft Launcher" or just "Minecraft."
Don't try to drag it with your left mouse button. That sometimes just fails or tries to "move" the app. Instead, right-click the icon. You should see an option that says "Create shortcut."
Windows will likely freak out for a second. It’ll pop up a message saying, "Windows cannot create a shortcut here. Do you want the shortcut to be placed on the desktop instead?"
Click Yes. Boom. You're done. That is the cleanest way to do it without digging through system files or messing with the Registry.
The Old School Method for Legacy Users
Maybe you’re a purist. You’re using the "Windows 7/8" launcher because the new one is occasionally buggy (it really is). In this case, your life is simpler. You’re looking for a file named Minecraft.exe.
Usually, this lives in C:\Program Files (x86)\Minecraft Launcher.
- Open your File Explorer.
- Navigate to that path.
- Find the file with the grass block icon.
- Right-click it, select "Send to," and then "Desktop (create shortcut)."
It’s an older way of doing things, but it works flawlessly if you aren't using the Microsoft Store version.
Why the Pinning Method is Often Better
Look, I get it. You want the icon on your desktop because that's where everything goes. But have you considered the Taskbar?
If you have the game open right now, look at the bottom of your screen. You see that little grass block? Right-click it. Select Pin to taskbar. Now, even when the game is closed, that icon stays there. One click. No need to minimize your browser or close thirty tabs just to find your desktop shortcut. It’s faster.
Troubleshooting the Missing Icon
Sometimes, the shortcut just... disappears. Or it turns into a white blank paper icon. This usually happens after a major Windows Update or if the Xbox app updates the launcher in the background.
If your shortcut stops working, delete it. Don't try to fix it. Just go back to the shell:AppsFolder method I mentioned earlier and make a new one. The "Target" path for the Minecraft Launcher often changes when the version number jumps, which breaks old shortcuts.
Also, a quick tip: if you use a custom launcher like Prism, MultiMC, or Lunar Client, the process is different. Those aren't "apps" in the Windows Store sense. They are usually just portable folders. You’ll need to find where you unzipped those folders—usually in your Downloads or Documents—and find the .exe inside.
Making it Look Good
If you hate the default icon, you can actually change it. Once you have your shortcut on the desktop, right-click it and hit Properties. Go to the Shortcut tab and click Change Icon.
You can actually download .ico files online—like a high-res Diamond Sword or a Creeper face—and use those instead. It’s a small thing, but it makes your desktop feel a lot more personal. Just make sure you don't move the icon file after you set it, or the shortcut will revert to that ugly "missing file" look.
What to Avoid
Don't use "Third-Party Shortcut Makers" you find on weird forums. You don't need them. Windows has all the tools built-in. Some of those "utility" programs are just bloatware or, worse, they’re trying to skim your session tokens. Since Minecraft accounts are now linked to Microsoft accounts, your login info is a high-value target for hackers. Stick to the shell command.
Getting the Game to Actually Launch
Sometimes people get the shortcut on the desktop, click it, and... nothing. Or they get a "Gamer Services" error. This is a classic Windows 10/11 headache.
If your desktop shortcut refuses to open the launcher:
- Open the Microsoft Store app.
- Click Library in the bottom left.
- Click Get Updates.
- Ensure "Gaming Services" and "Minecraft Launcher" are fully updated.
Often, the shortcut is trying to call a version of the app that technically doesn't exist anymore because an update is pending. It’s a bit of a loop, but once it’s updated, your desktop shortcut should spring back to life.
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The "All Apps" Drag and Drop
There is one more way, and it's probably the most "human" way to do it.
- Click the Start button.
- Click All Apps at the top right.
- Scroll down to 'M'.
- Literally just click and drag the Minecraft icon from the Start menu directly onto your wallpaper.
This doesn't always work on every version of Windows 11 (some builds blocked dragging from the Start menu for a while—don't ask why, it was a weird choice by Microsoft), but if your system is updated, it's the fastest path. If it shows a little "red circle with a line through it" while you're dragging, then your version of Windows won't allow it. That’s when you go back to the shell:AppsFolder trick.
Final Thoughts on Your Setup
Now that you've figured out how to put minecraft launcher on desktop, you might want to organize your gaming folder. I usually suggest putting all your game shortcuts into one folder named "Games" on your desktop rather than letting them clutter the screen. It keeps the wallpaper looking clean, especially if you have a cool Minecraft-themed background.
- Check your permissions: If you’re on a school or work laptop, you might not be allowed to create desktop shortcuts.
- Syncing: If you use OneDrive, your desktop icons might sync across computers. This can be annoying if you have Minecraft on your PC but not your laptop.
- Cleanup: Delete the old "Installer" file once you’re done. You don't need
MinecraftInstaller.msisitting on your desktop. It’s just taking up space.
To get started, try the Windows + R and shell:AppsFolder method first. It is the most robust solution and works 99% of the time regardless of which version of the game you're running. Once the icon is there, right-click it, hit "Pin to Start" as well for good measure, and you’ll never have to hunt for it again. Now go finish that base. Those villagers aren't going to trade with themselves.