Buzz
An easy-to-follow guide to prevent Microsoft Edge from creating a shortcut
Did your Windows system update and automatically place an undesired Edge shortcut on your desktop? For certain Windows 10 and 11 users, updating the operating system results in an Edge icon appearing on the desktop. To prevent Edge from placing a shortcut on your desktop, you can make a quick modification to the registry. Make sure to back up your registry before making any alterations. This Mytour article provides detailed instructions on editing the registry to prevent Edge shortcuts from appearing on your desktop.
Important Information
- Ensure you create a registry backup before making any changes.
- Navigate to or create the EdgeUpdate folder within the Microsoft directory.
- Create a new DWord corresponding to the version of Edge you're using and set it to '0.'
Instructions
Globally Blocking
Press the ⊞ Win key. This key resembles the Windows logo on your keyboard.
Type regedit.exe and select the app result. This action will launch the registry editor.
- Prior to making any modifications, create a backup of your current registry to facilitate restoration in case of errors.
Locate the Microsoft Edge Update folder. Its directory is HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate.
- If you cannot find an 'EdgeUpdate' folder within the Microsoft directory, generate it by right-clicking 'Microsoft' and selecting 'New > Key.' Name it EdgeUpdate and proceed.
Right-click EdgeUpdate. A context menu will appear at your cursor position.
Click New and Dword (32-bit) Value. Your newly created entry will appear in the 'EdgeUpdate' panel in the registry window.
Name it CreateDesktopShortcutDefault. Once you've created the entry, you'll be prompted to name it. If you accidentally exit out, simply right-click on it and choose Rename to return to the naming process.
- The value in the 'Data' column should default to 0, but if it doesn't, you can adjust it by double-clicking on the entry and editing it in the new window.
Close the registry window. Save your changes by closing the window. Windows will refrain from automatically placing an Edge shortcut on your desktop unless the new update also reverts changes to your registry.
- Some users also discuss methods for hiding the existing Edge shortcut icon so it remains unseen.
Channels Blocking
Press the ⊞ Win key. Look for the key on your keyboard with the Windows logo.
Launch regedit.exe and select the application result. This action will open the registry editor.
- Prior to making any modifications, create a backup of your existing registry to facilitate restoration if necessary.
Go to the Microsoft Edge Update directory. Its path is HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate.
- If the 'EdgeUpdate' folder is absent within the Microsoft directory, establish it by right-clicking 'Microsoft' and opting for 'New > Key.' Name it EdgeUpdate to proceed.
Right-click EdgeUpdate. A menu will pop up on your cursor.
Choose New and Dword (32-bit) Value. Your new entry will appear in the 'EdgeUpdate' panel within the registry window.
- Repeat this procedure for each channel you wish to prevent.
Name them appropriately. Label the DWord as follows: for Microsoft Edge Stable, use 'CreateDesktopShortcut{56EB18F8-B008-4CBD-B6D2-8C97FE7E9062}' .
- For Edge Beta, designate the DWord as 'CreateDesktopShortcut{2CD8A007-E189-409D-A2C8-9AF4EF3C72AA}' .
- For Edge Dev, specify the DWord as 'CreateDesktopShortcut{0D50BFEC-CD6A-4F9A-964C-C7416E3ACB10}'.
- For Edge Canary, name the DWord as 'CreateDesktopShortcut{65C35B14-6C1D-4122-AC46-7148CC9D6497}'.
