IE: Re-create the Default Internet Explorer Icon on the Desktop

The default Internet Explorer icon is different from a general shortcut. If you right-click on the IE icon and select Properties, it will bring up the Internet Properties window (which is not the same as the shortcut properties window)

Default IE icon:


IE shortcut:



To re-create the IE icon via GUI: (Easy way)
1. Right-click on the Desktop
2. Click on Properties
3. In the Display Properties window, select the Desktop tab
4. Click Customize Desktop...
5. Mark the checkbox for Internet Explorer


6. Click OK and Apply the settings


To re-create the IE icon via Registry: (Hard way)
1. Start -> Run
2. Type in regedit, and press ENTER
3. Goto

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel

4. Change the following value:

Value name: {871C5380-42A0-1069-A2EA-08002B30309D} Value type: REG_DWORD Value data: 0

5. Close registry
6. Press F5 on keyboard to refresh the Desktop