Stop Microsoft Edge Desktop Shortcuts in Windows 11

This guide shows you how to stop Microsoft Edge from automatically creating desktop shortcuts in Windows 11. This typically happens after Edge updates or when you sign in, and the fix involves changing a hidden setting inside the browser itself. You don’t need any special tools or admin rights—just a few minutes and access to Edge’s settings.

What You’ll Need

Microsoft Edge installed (any recent version)
Windows 11 with a user account that has permission to change system settings (optional, for the registry method)

Step-by-Step

Open Microsoft Edge. Double-click the Edge icon on your desktop, taskbar, or Start menu. If Edge isn’t pinned, search for it in the Start menu.
Access the settings menu. Click the three-dot menu (⋯) in the top-right corner of the browser window. From the dropdown, select Settings.
Navigate to the relevant settings. In the left sidebar, click System and performance. This is where Edge controls how it behaves on your device.
Disable the shortcut creation. Scroll down to the Startup boost section. Look for the toggle labeled “Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed” and turn it off. This is the primary culprit—when enabled, Edge can create shortcuts to keep itself alive in the background.
Check the “New tab page” settings. Go back to the left sidebar and click New tab page. Under “Quick links”, make sure “Show quick links” is turned off. While this doesn’t directly create desktop shortcuts, it prevents Edge from adding shortcuts to your desktop as part of its “quick links” feature.
Review the “Downloads” settings. Click Downloads in the left sidebar. If you see an option like “Ask me what to do with each download”, enable it. This ensures Edge won’t silently save shortcuts to your desktop when you download files.
Disable Edge’s “Install sites as apps” prompt. In the left sidebar, click Cookies and site permissions, then scroll to “Install sites as apps”. Turn off the toggle for “Allow sites to install apps”. This prevents websites from prompting you to install shortcuts that land on your desktop.
Use the registry method (if shortcuts persist). Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge. If the Edge key doesn’t exist, right-click on Microsoft, select New > Key, and name it Edge. Inside the Edge key, right-click on the right pane, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it CreateShortcutsOnDesktop. Double-click it, set the value to 0, and click OK. Restart your computer.
Restart Edge and check. Close all Edge windows and reopen it. If you used the registry method, restart your PC. After that, no new desktop shortcuts should appear automatically.

Common Mistakes

Only toggling “Startup boost” off: While that’s the main fix, other settings like “Install sites as apps” can still create shortcuts. Make sure you check all the steps above.
Deleting the registry key incorrectly: If you type the path wrong or set the value to 1 (which enables shortcuts), you’ll make things worse. Double-check the path and value.
Expecting immediate results: Some changes only take effect after you fully restart Edge or your PC. Don’t panic if a shortcut appears right after the change—give it a restart.
Forgetting to check for Edge updates: An outdated Edge might have different settings. Update Edge first via Settings > About Microsoft Edge to ensure you see all the options listed.

Tips

Use Group Policy for multiple users: If you’re an admin managing several computers, you can set the same registry value via Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) under Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Microsoft Edge. This ensures the setting applies to all users.
Pin Edge to taskbar instead: If you want quick access without desktop clutter, right-click the Edge icon and choose Pin to taskbar. This keeps it accessible without creating shortcuts.
Check your antivirus: Sometimes third-party antivirus software can trigger Edge to create shortcuts as part of a “cleanup” or “optimization” routine. If you notice shortcuts reappearing after running a system scan, check your antivirus settings.
Keep your system clean: Regularly check your desktop for any shortcuts you didn’t create. If you see an Edge shortcut with a small arrow icon, it might be a website installed as an app—remove it by right-clicking and selecting Uninstall.

Troubleshooting

Shortcuts still appear after following all steps. This can happen if Edge is being updated in the background. After an update, Edge may reset some settings. Re-apply the steps, especially the “Startup boost” toggle. If it keeps happening, the registry method is your most reliable bet—make sure the value is set to 0 and the key name is spelled exactly as shown.

You can’t find the “System and performance” section. In some older Edge versions, this section might be called “System” or “Performance”. Look for a gear icon in the left sidebar; the settings are under there. If you still can’t find it, update Edge.

The registry edit doesn’t work. Verify that you’re in the correct registry path. The key should be under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge. If you created the key under HKEY_CURRENT_USER, it might not affect all users. Also, ensure the value name is exactly CreateShortcutsOnDesktop—a typo will cause it to be ignored.

Edge creates shortcuts for websites you visit. This is likely the “Install sites as apps” feature. Turn off the toggle as described in Step 7. If you’ve already installed a website as an app, go to edge://apps in the address bar, find the app, and remove it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does Edge create desktop shortcuts in the first place?
A: Edge creates shortcuts to make it easier to access frequently used features, like startup boost or installed web apps. It’s designed to keep the browser active in the background so it opens faster, and shortcuts are a side effect.

Q: Will disabling these settings affect Edge’s performance?
A: Disabling startup boost means Edge won’t pre-load in the background, so it may take slightly longer to open. However, the difference is usually negligible on modern PCs. You won’t lose any functionality.

Q: Can I delete the desktop shortcuts that Edge already created?
A: Yes, simply right-click the shortcut and select Delete. They won’t come back unless Edge creates a new one, which you’ve now prevented.

Q: Does this method work for Windows 10 as well?
A: Yes, the steps are nearly identical in Windows 10. The registry path and Edge settings are the same. The only difference might be the visual layout of the Settings menu, but the options are the same.

Q: What if I don’t have permission to edit the registry?
A: You need administrator rights to edit the registry. If you’re on a work computer, contact your IT department. Alternatively, you can rely on the in-browser settings, which don’t require admin rights.

Q: Will the registry setting be reset after an Edge update?
A: No, registry policies are separate from Edge’s internal settings and are not affected by updates. This is why the registry method is more permanent.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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