How to Put Microsoft Word Icon on Desktop Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you frequently use Microsoft Word, having its shortcut on your desktop can save you valuable time. Instead of searching for it every time from the Start menu, you can open it instantly with a single double-click.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to put Microsoft Word icon on desktop Windows 11 step by step — whether you have it from Microsoft 365, the Microsoft Store, or as part of Office 2019/2021.

🧠 Why Add Microsoft Word to Your Desktop?

Creating a Word shortcut on your desktop has several advantages:

• Quick access: Launch Word directly without navigating menus.
• Productivity boost: Ideal if you use Word daily for work or school.
• Custom organization: Group your Microsoft Office apps together.
• Easy recovery: If your taskbar or Start menu shortcuts go missing.

⚙️ Different Ways to Put Microsoft Word Icon on Desktop

There are multiple methods to add the Word icon to your Windows 11 desktop. You can choose the one that works best for you.

Let’s go through each one in detail.

🪜 Method 1: Create a Shortcut from the Start Menu

This is the fastest and easiest way to put Microsoft Word on your desktop.

Steps:

1. Click the Start button (Windows logo) on the taskbar.
2. Type Word in the search bar.
3. Once Microsoft Word appears in the results, right-click it.
4. Select Open file location.
   • This opens the folder containing the Word shortcut.
5. In that folder, right-click the Word shortcut → Show more options → Send to → Desktop (create shortcut).

✅ Done! You’ll now see the Word icon appear on your desktop.

💡 Tip: If the “Open file location” option doesn’t appear, use Method 2 below.

💻 Method 2: Drag and Drop from Start Menu

Another simple way to create a desktop shortcut:

1. Open the Start Menu.
2. Search for Microsoft Word.
3. Click and drag the Word icon from the Start menu to your desktop.

When you release the mouse button, Windows automatically creates a shortcut on your desktop.

🧩 Method 3: Manually Create a Shortcut from File Explorer

If Word doesn’t show up in the Start menu or search, you can manually create a shortcut.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + E to open File Explorer.
2. Navigate to one of these paths depending on your version:

3. Locate the file named WINWORD.EXE.
4. Right-click it → Show more options → Send to → Desktop (create shortcut).

✅ A new Microsoft Word shortcut will appear on your desktop.

🧱 Method 4: Add a Word Shortcut from Microsoft Store App (If Installed)

If you installed Word through the Microsoft Store, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + S, type Microsoft Word, and wait for it to appear.
2. Right-click the app result and choose Pin to Start (optional).
3. Then drag it from the Start menu to your desktop — this creates a shortcut.

🪶 Method 5: Create a New Shortcut Manually

If all else fails, you can manually create a shortcut using the Create Shortcut wizard.

Steps:

1. Right-click on an empty area of your desktop.
2. Select New → Shortcut.
3. In the “Type the location of the item” box, enter one of the following paths:

   "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\WINWORD.EXE"
   

   or

   "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16\WINWORD.EXE"
   

4. Click Next.
5. Name the shortcut Microsoft Word.
6. Click Finish.

✅ You now have a Word shortcut on your desktop.

⚡ Method 6: Restore Missing Microsoft Word Desktop Icon

If you had the Word icon before but it disappeared, here’s how to bring it back.

Try These Fixes:

1. Check the Recycle Bin:
   • You might have deleted it accidentally.
   • If it’s there, right-click and choose Restore.
2. Recreate the Shortcut:
   • Follow Method 1 or Method 3 above.
3. Repair Office Installation:
   • Go to Settings → Apps → Installed apps → Microsoft 365 → Modify → Quick Repair.

🧰 Method 7: Pin Microsoft Word to Taskbar or Start Menu

If you don’t want to clutter your desktop but still need quick access, you can pin Word instead.

To Pin Word to Taskbar:

1. Search for Microsoft Word using the Start menu.
2. Right-click the app → Pin to taskbar.

To Pin Word to Start:

1. Right-click the app → Pin to Start.
2. It’ll now appear as a tile in the Start menu.

🔍 Optional: Customize Your Microsoft Word Shortcut Icon

You can also change the icon style of your Word shortcut.

Steps:

1. Right-click the desktop shortcut → Properties.
2. Click Change Icon.
3. Choose from the list or browse to:

   C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\WINWORD.EXE
   

4. Select your preferred icon → OK → Apply → OK.

This gives your desktop a personalized look.

🧾 Summary: Quick Reference Table

🧠 Bonus Tip: Use Desktop Folder Shortcuts

If you often use multiple Office apps, you can create a folder named Office Apps on your desktop and store shortcuts for:

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Outlook

This helps keep your desktop tidy yet accessible.

✅ Conclusion

And that’s it! You’ve learned how to put Microsoft Word icon on desktop Windows 11 using several different methods.

Whether you create a shortcut from the Start menu, File Explorer, or manually — it’s quick, easy, and boosts productivity. You can even customize it for a clean, organized desktop experience.

❓ FAQs About Putting Microsoft Word on Desktop in Windows 11

1. Why can’t I find Microsoft Word on my PC?

It might not be installed. Check if you have an active Microsoft 365 subscription or install Word via the Microsoft Store.

2. Does creating a desktop shortcut duplicate the program?

No — it only creates a shortcut, not another copy. The app remains installed in its original location.

3. Can I rename the shortcut?

Yes. Right-click the icon → Rename, and type any name (e.g., “Word App”).

4. What if I have multiple Office versions installed?

Locate the correct WINWORD.EXE path for your current version and use that for the shortcut.

5. Can I add other Office apps to the desktop too?

Absolutely! Follow the same steps for Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, or Access.

🧾 Key Takeaways

Now you know how to put Microsoft Word icon on desktop Windows 11 easily and efficiently.
Try it today and make accessing your favorite writing tool just one click away! 📝💻