If you're using Windows 11, you might have noticed that Microsoft Edge occasionally creates desktop shortcuts after updates. This can clutter your desktop and become a nuisance. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent Edge from automatically adding these shortcuts. In this guide, we'll explore how to stop Microsoft Edge from creating desktop shortcuts, either by creating a batch file to automate the process or by manually editing the Registry Editor.
1. Create a Batch File to Automate the Process
Step 1: To prevent Microsoft Edge from creating desktop shortcuts automatically, you can create a Registry file that will adjust the necessary settings for you. Start by opening the Start Menu and typing Notepad in the search bar. From the search results, right-click on the Notepad app and select Run as administrator.
Step 2: If prompted by the User Account Control (UAC) window, confirm the action by clicking Yes. If you're not logged in as an administrator, you may need to enter the admin credentials.
Step 3: In the Notepad window, copy and paste the following code. This code modifies the registry to prevent Edge from creating desktop shortcuts.
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate]
"RemoveDesktopShortcutDefault"=dword:00000001
Step 4: Save the file by pressing Ctrl+S or by clicking on the File menu and selecting Save As. Choose an appropriate name for the file and ensure that you add the .reg extension at the end. For example, you might name it DisableEdgeShortcut.reg. Then, click the Save button.
Step 5: To apply the changes, locate the saved .reg file and double-click on it. This will automatically update the registry with the new settings, preventing Edge from creating desktop shortcuts in the future.
If you wish to revert this change and allow Microsoft Edge to create desktop shortcuts again, you can create another registry file to undo the modification.
Step 6: Open Notepad as an administrator again, and this time, paste the following code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate]
"RemoveDesktopShortcutDefault"=-
Step 7: Save this file with a different name, such as EnableEdgeShortcut.reg, making sure to include the .reg extension, and click Save.
Step 8: When you want to allow Edge to create desktop shortcuts again, simply double-click on this new .reg file to apply the changes to the registry.
You can keep these registry files handy or transfer them to other computers to quickly enable or disable Edge's desktop shortcut creation feature.
2. Use Registry Editor
If you prefer to modify the registry manually without using a batch file, you can directly edit the Registry Editor to disable Microsoft Edge from creating desktop shortcuts.
Step 1: Open the Start Menu and type Registry Editor in the search bar. Click on the Registry Editor application from the search results.
Step 2: In the Registry Editor window, navigate to the following path by typing it into the address bar or expanding the folders on the left pane:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft
Step 3: Right-click on the Microsoft folder, hover over New, and select Key. Name the new key as EdgeUpdate.
Step 4: Click on the newly created EdgeUpdate key. In the right pane, right-click on the empty area, hover over New, and select DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name this value as CreateDesktopShortcutDefault.
Step 5: Double-click on CreateDesktopShortcutDefault to open its properties. Set the value data to 0 and click OK.
This change will prevent Microsoft Edge from creating desktop shortcuts when it updates.
Note: If you want to block desktop shortcut creation for specific Edge channels (Beta, Dev, or Canary) instead of globally, you can create separate DWORD values for each channel using the following names:
To block Edge Beta shortcuts, create a DWORD value named:
CreateDesktopShortcut{2CD8A007-E189-409D-A2C8-9AF4EF3C72AA}
To prevent Edge Dev from creating shortcuts, create a DWORD value named:
CreateDesktopShortcut{0D50BFEC-CD6A-4F9A-964C-C7416E3ACB10}
To disable shortcuts from Edge Canary, create a DWORD value named:
CreateDesktopShortcut{65C35B14-6C1D-4122-AC46-7148CC9D6497}
For each of these DWORD values, ensure the value data is set to 0.
By following these methods, you can effectively prevent Microsoft Edge from cluttering your desktop with unwanted shortcuts.
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