In this article, we will show you how to create desktop shortcuts to access your apps directly from your desktop on Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, and 7.

1. After booting Windows 8.1 (here’s how to get the preview if you don’t already have it), click the Desktop tile to enter Desktop mode. 2.

Windows 8.1 has some new features, including bypassing the Start screen at log-in, so you can go straight to the desktop. We'll show you how to enable it.