Introduction

This guide shows you how to add a shortcut to Internet Explorer on your Windows Vista desktop by using a registry hack.

For those of you saying “Why don’t you just create a shortcut on your desktop?” this method has many advantages like being able to view your home page(s) instead of just a link to one page.

Add IE Shortcut to Desktop

Warning: Modifying the registry can cause damage or loss of data to your computer.

Download and run the registry files below to:

• Add Internet Explorer shortcut to your desktop ^[1]
• Remove Internet Explorer shortcut from your desktop ^[2]

Or manually edit the registry by:

Note: You must be logged in with a user account that has administrative privileges.

1. Type regedit in the search box in the Start Menu and then press Enter on your keyboard.
2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Explorer\ HideDesktopIcons\ NewStartPanel in the registry editor.
3. Click on NewStartPanel in the left column of the registry editor.
4. Right-click on the right (large panel) of the registry editor, point at New and then select DWORD 32-bit.
5. Name the new 32-bit DWORD {871C5380-42A0-1069-A2EA-08002B30309D}.
6. Double-click the new DWORD and give it a Value Data of 0.
7. To remove the IE icon for your desktop delete the {871C5380-42A0-1069-A2EA-08002B30309D} DWORD.

Once you’ve modified your registry, click anywhere there’s free space on your desktop and then press F5 on your keyboard to refresh your desktop.