Internet Explorer Desktop Icon - Create in Windows 7

How to Create and Add a "Internet Explorer" Desktop Icon in Windows 7​

   Information

This will show you how to create a Internet Explorer (IE) desktop icon in Windows 7 that has Open Home Page, Start Without Add-ons, Start InPrivate Browsing, and Properties that opens "Internet Options" included in it's context menu.

This Internet Explorer desktop icon will only be added to the desktop of the user that runs the REG files below.

EXAMPLE: Internet Explorer Desktop Icon in Windows 7
NOTE: This also shows the right click context menu.



Here's How:
NOTE: Using either REG file download below will override any of them.
1. To Add 32-bit IE Desktop Icon in 32-bit Windows 7
NOTE: Use this option if you have 32-bit Windows 7 installed on your computer.
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
ADD_32-bit_W7_IE_Desktop_Icon.reg


Download


B) Go to step 5.
2. To Add 32-bit IE Desktop Icon in 64-bit Windows 7
NOTE: Use this option if you have 64-bit Windows 7 installed on your computer, and would like to have a 32-bit IE desktop icon.
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
ADD_64-bit_W7_32-bit_IE_Desktop_Icon.reg


Download


B) Go to step 5.
3. To Add 64-bit IE Desktop Icon in 64-bit Windows 7
NOTE: Use this option if you have 64-bit Windows 7 installed on your computer, and would like to have a 64-bit IE desktop icon.
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
ADD_64-bit_W7_64-bit_IE_Desktop_Icon.reg


Download


B) Go to step 5.
4. To Remove the IE Desktop Icon in 32- bit or 64-bit Windows 7
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Remove_W7_IE_Desktop_Icon.reg


Download


5. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the desktop.

6. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.

7. Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.

8. Right click on a emtpy area of your desktop and click on Refresh (F5) to apply.

9. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Create a Fully Functional "Internet Explorer" Desktop Icon Shortcut in Vista
• How to Add or Remove a Default Desktop Icon in Windows 7
• How to Hide or Show the Text of Desktop Icons in Windows 7
• How to Hide or Show Desktop Icons in Windows 7
• How to Create a Windows 7 Internet Explorer No Add-ons Shortcut
• How to Create a Internet Explorer InPrivate Browsing Shortcut

 

[xxxmagic]

IE8 icon didn't appear in my Win7 after that. Any idea why ?

 

[Brink]

Hello Magic, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Do you have IE9 installed instead? If so, IE8 will no longer be available.

Did you use the correct 32-bit or 64-bit REG file download for your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7?

If so, did you refresh the desktop?

If so, you might see if logging off and on, or restarting the computer may have it appear afterwards.

 

[xxxmagic]

I have IE8 installed.
truth is: when I first ran the 64bit version (as my win7) I saw the icon. but after I restarted the PC last night, the icon was gone, and I can't recreate it anymore.

 

[Brink]

Magic,

I've added a bit more to the REG file below to include other locations that may be the cause of this for you. After downloading and merging it, log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply and hopefully add it back for you.

Did you do anything like change the default location of the Program Files folders?

 

[xxxmagic]

didn't help also and, my program files are in default location.

 

[Brink]

Hmm, ok. Could you right click on each of the HideDesktopIcons keys in the left pane of the registry (regedit.exe) at the locations below, click on Export, save to your desktop, and upload them here? I'll be happy to take a look at them to see if I may be able to spot what may be causing this for you.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons

I also updated the REG files in the tutorial to include these locations as well if you would like to download and try them again.

 

[xxxmagic]

sure. take a look

 

[Brink]

Ah, it looks like you tried to add the IE icon previously using an older Vista method that's not compatible with Windows 7. The REG file below will remove these incompatible entries from the locations you posted above. After downloading and merging it, log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply and hopefully have the IE icon from this tutorial on your desktop.

View attachment Magic.reg

 

[xxxmagic]

Thanks for the reply man!
I applied that fix, but I still don't have an icon on the desktop

 

[Brink]

Thanks for the reply man!
I applied that fix, but I still don't have an icon on the desktop

Magic,

It's working fine for me, but I must admit that I'm not sure why it's not placing a IE icon on your desktop.

 

[seavixen32]

Just a thought: Right-click your desktop and click View then check that Show Desktop Icons is selected.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3659-desktop-items-hide-show.html

 

[Jorge Martins]

Hi Brink,
I am running Windows 7 64bits but using IE9 32 bits, so I have used ie9_32bits icon to windows 7_64bits.
It worked perfectly, Thanks.
Do you know a way to take out "(32-bit)"?
Thanks,
Jorge

 

[beauparc]

Hi Brink.

For some strange reason "Merge" won't work. All that happens is that I get an option to "Run" the file. I'm sure I've merged registry files before, though probably some time ago.

Trying IE 64bit IE Icon, on 64bit Win7 using IE9 64bit.

Probably something very simple but, being an idiot, I can't see it

 

[Brink]

Hello Steve,

Since you do not see a Merge option when you right click on the REG file, then check in Default Programs to set the reg file extension to have it's Current Default program set as Registry Editor (C:\Windows\regedit.exe). Afterwards, try merging the REG file again.

 

[Brink]

Hi Brink,
I am running Windows 7 64bits but using IE9 32 bits, so I have used ie9_32bits icon to windows 7_64bits.
It worked perfectly, Thanks.
Do you know a way to take out "(32-bit)"?
Thanks,
Jorge

Hello Jorge,

You're most welcome. If you mean in the shortcut's name, then yes. You could just right click on the shortcut and click on Rename to edit it out of the shortcut's name. The name can be anything you like.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Jorge Martins]

Hi Brink,
When I richt click the created link in the desktop, I don't have the option to rename it.

I only have the options of the figure you have put at the beginning of your tutorial!

Thanks,

Jorge

 

[Brink]

Sorry Jorge,

Click on the Create Shortcut option, then rename the new shortcut to edit out (32-bit). Afterwards, you can delete the shortcut from the tutorial.

 

[beauparc]

Shawn, thank you very much. I think I was just tired last night - that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it

All working fine now.

Thanks again.

 

[Brink]

LOL, you're most welcome.