Table of Contents
Who this is for: Minecraft players who want quick desktop access to their launcher without navigating through menus every time.
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Creating a Desktop Shortcut for Minecraft Launcher
Adding a Minecraft launcher shortcut to your desktop makes accessing the game much faster. The process varies slightly depending on which launcher you’re using and your operating system.
For Windows Users
The easiest method is to locate the Minecraft Launcher in your Start menu. Simply type “Minecraft” in the search bar, right-click on “Minecraft Launcher” when it appears, and select “Pin to taskbar” or “More” > “Open file location.” If you choose the file location option, you can then right-click the launcher executable and select “Send to” > “Desktop (create shortcut).”
Alternatively, you can navigate directly to the installation folder. The default location is usually C:\Program Files (x86)\Minecraft Launcher or C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\.minecraft. Once there, right-click on “MinecraftLauncher.exe” and choose “Create shortcut,” then move it to your desktop.
For Mac Users
On macOS, open Finder and go to Applications. Locate the Minecraft Launcher app, then simply drag it to your desktop while holding the Option and Command keys simultaneously. This creates an alias (shortcut) rather than moving the actual application.
Alternative Method: Manual Shortcut Creation
If the above methods don’t work, you can create a shortcut manually:
- Right-click on an empty area of your desktop
- Select “New” > “Shortcut”
- Browse to your Minecraft Launcher installation directory
- Select the launcher executable file
- Name your shortcut and click “Finish”
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If your shortcut isn’t working properly, ensure you’re pointing to the correct launcher version. Microsoft Store users should look for “Minecraft for Windows” while Java Edition users need the standard “Minecraft Launcher.” Sometimes Windows updates can change file locations, so double-check the path if your shortcut stops working.
You can also customize your shortcut icon by right-clicking it, selecting “Properties,” and clicking “Change Icon” to browse for a custom Minecraft-themed icon file.
Once you’ve got your launcher shortcut set up, you’ll be ready to dive into all the creative possibilities that await in the world of block-building adventures.
TL;DR
Create a Minecraft launcher shortcut by right-clicking the launcher in your Start menu and selecting “Send to Desktop,” or manually browse to the installation folder and create a shortcut from the executable file.
