How to Add This PC to Desktop in Windows 11 and 10

Adding your PC to the desktop in Windows 11 or Windows 10 provides quick access to your computer’s properties, network status, and shared resources. It’s a handy shortcut for users who want to streamline their workflow or access system information without navigating through multiple menus. This guide walks you through the simple steps to create a desktop shortcut for your PC, ensuring you can access your device details or network settings swiftly and efficiently.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC with administrative privileges
• Basic familiarity with your desktop and File Explorer
• Optional: A keyboard and mouse for easier navigation

Step-by-Step

1. Open the Run dialog box: Press the Windows key + R simultaneously on your keyboard. This opens the Run window where you can enter commands directly.
2. Enter the System Properties command: Type sysdm.cpl into the Run box and press Enter. This opens the System Properties window, which contains details about your PC, including hardware and system information.
3. Create a shortcut from System Properties: In the System Properties window, right-click on the icon or tab you wish to create a shortcut for. Alternatively, if you want a shortcut to open the System Properties directly, proceed to the next step.
4. Create the shortcut: Minimize or close the System Properties window. On your desktop, right-click an empty space, choose New > Shortcut. In the location field, type explorer shell:::{BB06C0E4-D293-4f75-8A90-CB05B6477EEE} which is the shell command to open the ‘This PC’ view. Click Next.
5. Name your shortcut: Enter a descriptive name like “This PC” or “My Computer” and click Finish. The shortcut icon will appear on your desktop.
6. Customize the icon (optional): Right-click the new shortcut and select Properties. Under the Shortcut tab, click Change Icon. Choose an icon that visually represents your PC or network, then click OK to confirm.
7. Pin to desktop or taskbar (optional): To keep the shortcut easily accessible, right-click the icon and select Pin to Taskbar or Pin to Start.

Common Mistakes

• Using incorrect shell commands – ensure you type the exact command for the shortcut to work properly.
• Placing shortcuts in the wrong location – always create new shortcuts on the desktop for easy access.
• Not renaming shortcuts – giving clear names prevents confusion later.
• Forgetting to run as administrator when needed – some commands or shortcuts may require admin privileges.

Tips

• Use descriptive names for your shortcuts to easily identify them later.
• Customize icons to differentiate between different shortcuts on your desktop.
• Regularly clean up unused shortcuts to keep your desktop organized.
• Create multiple shortcuts for different system views or settings for faster access.

Troubleshooting

If your shortcut does not open as expected, try the following:

• Verify the command: Make sure you typed the correct shell command, such as explorer shell:::{BB06C0E4-D293-4f75-8A90-CB05B6477EEE} for
  

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  How to Add This PC to Desktop in Windows 11 and 10