How To Place Desktop Icons Steam Game

Dianna Russini

3 min read

·

Apr 06, 2025

37

Share

How to Place Desktop Icons for Your Steam Games

So you've got a massive Steam library and navigating to your favorite games through the client is getting tedious? Wouldn't it be easier to just launch them directly from your desktop? This guide will show you how to create desktop shortcuts for your Steam games, making launching your favorite titles a breeze.

Understanding Steam Shortcuts

Steam doesn't automatically create desktop shortcuts for every game you install. This means you'll need to manually create them. Don't worry, it's a simple process! We'll cover two main methods: using the Steam client itself and creating a shortcut directly from the game's executable file.

Method 1: Creating Shortcuts Through the Steam Client

This method is generally the easiest and most straightforward.

1. Locate Your Game: Open your Steam client and find the game you want to create a shortcut for.

2. Right-Click and Select "Properties": Right-click on the game's tile in your library and select "Properties" from the dropdown menu.

3. Find the Shortcut Section: In the Properties window, navigate to the "Local Files" tab.

4. Browse Local Files: Click on the "Browse Local Files..." button. This will open the folder containing the game's installation files.

5. Locate the Executable: Within this folder, locate the game's executable file. This is usually an .exe file and often has the game's name in its title (e.g., game.exe).

6. Create a Shortcut: Right-click on the executable file and select "Send to" -> "Desktop (create shortcut)". This will create a shortcut on your desktop.

7. Enjoy Easy Access! Now you can simply double-click the shortcut on your desktop to launch the game.

Method 2: Creating Shortcuts Directly from the Executable

This method is useful if you already know where your game's installation files are located, bypassing the Steam client entirely.

1. Locate the Executable: Navigate to the game's installation directory. You can usually find this information by searching for the game's name in your file explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac). If you installed Steam in a non-standard location, you'll need to locate the game's folder accordingly.

2. Find the .exe File: Find the game's executable file (the .exe).

3. Create a Shortcut: Right-click on the executable file, select "Send to," and choose "Desktop (create shortcut)".

Organizing Your Desktop Icons

Once you've created several shortcuts, consider organizing them for easy management. You can do this by:

• Creating Folders: Create folders on your desktop to group games by genre, platform, or any other relevant category.
• Using a Dock or Launcher: Many third-party applications offer dock-like functionality, allowing you to pin frequently used applications and games for quick access.

Troubleshooting

• Shortcut Doesn't Work: Ensure the executable file you used is the correct one. If the shortcut doesn't work, try reinstalling the game or verifying the game files through the Steam client.

• Game Launches Steam Instead: Double-check that you're creating a shortcut from the correct .exe file within the game's folder and not a Steam-related file.

By following these steps, you can easily create desktop shortcuts for your Steam games and streamline your gaming experience. Remember to keep your desktop organized to avoid clutter!