How To Create a Shortcut On Your Desktop w/ Microsoft IE & Edge

Insert a shortcut on your desktop to Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge

Co-authored by Yaffet Meshesha and Cory Stillman

Last Updated: March 27, 2023 Tested

Right-Click on Internet Explorer

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Drag from Search Bar on Internet Explorer

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Using Microsoft Edge

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Video

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Q&A

This wikiHow article teaches you how to create a shortcut from your Windows desktop that opens directly to a website in Internet Explorer. Of course, it is important to note that Internet Explorer has been discontinued. If you are still using it, you can follow the steps in our guide to create a shortcut. Otherwise, we recommend creating a shortcut in Microsoft Edge, Microsoft's replacement web browser for Windows. Follow along as we help you create shortcuts on your desktop for both Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge.

Things You Should Know

Internet Explorer is no longer available, but if you're still using it, right-click a website and select "Create Shortcut."
In Internet Explorer, you can also drag a website's icon onto the desktop to create a shortcut.
In Microsoft Edge, create a desktop shortcut by right-clicking on the desktop, selecting "Shortcut," and pasting in the URL.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Right-Click on Internet Explorer

1
Open Internet Explorer. It's an app shaped like a blue e with a yellow ring around it.
- If you do not have Internet Explorer, there is no opportunity to download it, as the browser has been discontinued. Instead, use Microsoft Edge.
2
Go to a website. Do so by typing its URL or keywords in the search bar at the top of the window.

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3
Right-click in an empty space on the webpage. This opens a pop-up menu
- There should be no text or images beneath your pointer.
4
Click on Create Shortcut. It's near the middle of the menu.
5
Click on Yes. A shortcut to the website you're browsing will be created on your desktop.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Drag from Search Bar on Internet Explorer

1
Click on the "tiling" icon. It's two overlapping squares in the upper-right of corner of the Explorer window.
- Do this to minimize the window so an area of your Windows desktop is visible.
2
Click on and hold the icon to the left of the URL. It's on the far left side of the search bar.^{[1]
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3
Drag the icon onto your desktop.
4
Release the click. A shortcut to the website you were browsing will appear on your desktop.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Microsoft Edge

1
Set Microsoft Edge as your default browser. While you can technically set a desktop shortcut to Edge without setting it as your default browser, you will likely face more trouble than it's worth. This wikiHow article can help you set Edge as your default browser.
2
Copy and paste the URL for which you want to create a shortcut. Visit any website in Microsoft Edge and copy its URL.
3
Right-click on your desktop and select "Shortcut". Right-click in any empty space on your desktop. Then, hover over New and click Shortcut.
- Unlike Internet Explorer, there is no way to create a shortcut to a website on your desktop from within Microsoft Edge.
4
Paste the chosen URL into the field labeled Type the location of the item. Once you have pasted the URL, click Next.
5
Name your shortcut. On the following page, enter a name for your shortcut into the text field. Name it after the website, or maybe label it with its intended purpose (e.g., eBay, shopping, etc.)
6
Click Finish. Your shortcut will now appear on your desktop. Click on it to open the intended website in Microsoft Edge.
- You can use this same process to add a shortcut using other browsers.
- You can also change the default icon for this shortcut if you would like.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I create a shortcut in Windows 10?

Community Answer

First, copy the address of the website that you want to create a shortcut to. Right click on the desktop, and click on New --> shortcut. Paste the address into the box that will appear, and press OK.