Windows 10: Blue Background on App Desktop Shortcuts

The only way I have been able to figure out how to create app shortcuts so far with Windows 11 is to open the start menu, select "All Apps" in the top right, and drag the app to my desktop, except every time I do this there is a blue background behind the app I created a shortcut for. I try changing the icon in shortcut properties but I cannot find the locations of any of my apps, nor can I figure out how to create desktop shortcuts in File Explorer, neither of which have any guarantee of working differently. Is there any way to remove the blue background?

:)

 

Blue Background on App Desktop Shortcuts

The only way I have been able to figure out how to create app shortcuts so far with Windows 11 is to open the start menu, select "All Apps" in the top right, and drag the app to my desktop, except every time I do this there is a blue background behind the app I created a shortcut for. I try changing the icon in shortcut properties but I cannot find the locations of any of my apps, nor can I figure out how to create desktop shortcuts in File Explorer, neither of which have any guarantee of working differently. Is there any way to remove the blue background?

 

How to pin app shortcut to desk top?

Hi,

Thank you for contacting Microsoft Community.

I suggest you to follow below steps to change pin the apps on the desktop screen and check if it helps.

Step 1: I suggest you to perform the below steps to add the apps on desktop.

• Click on the “Start button” and locate the App that you want to pin to Desktop.
• Right click on the “App” and click on “More options”.
• Then click on “Open File location” and right click on the app, click on “Send to” option.
• Then select “Desktop (Create shortcut)”.
• Go to “Desktop” and check whether the app is located or not.

Or Step 2: To add shortcuts to the desktop

• Press and hold or right-click the desktop, tap or click New, and then tap or click Shortcut.
• Enter the location of the item or tap or click Browse to find the item in File Explorer.

Hope this information is helpful and do let us know if you need further assistance. We will be glad to assist.

 

Desktop Icon Background Color

Your example is a shortcut for the Camera app, a UWP app managed by the Store. I'm betting that the other blue desktop icons are also for Store apps.

The icon is part of the app, and would be updated whenever the Store automatically updates its apps. Going from transparent background to blue suggests MS have modified the Store app icons in the latest update and messed up its transparency effect. You'll have to wait for the next Store update to see if they correct this.

You cannot uninstall a Store app update to revert to an earlier version, but you can change its shortcut's icon. Right-click on the icon and select Properties, then click the Change icon button. Choose an appropriate icon, there is a camera icon available in the SHELL32.dll that it will offer by default - and that one is transparent .