To put a Spotify shortcut on the desktop in Windows 11, select Start > All, find Spotify, and drag it onto the desktop. If that doesn’t work, press Windows logo key + R, type shell:AppsFolder, select OK, right-click Spotify, select Create shortcut, and then select Yes. If you want the music controls on your screen rather than an icon, use Spotify’s Miniplayer or the media controls in Windows Quick Settings.
Applies to: Windows 11 and the Spotify app for Windows. Checked on September 30, 2026.
If you don’t have the Spotify app yet, open Microsoft Store, search for Spotify, and select Get or Install. You can also download it from Spotify’s website.
Add a Spotify shortcut to the desktop
Drag it from Start:
- Select Start, and then select All (or All apps).
- Scroll to Spotify.
- Drag Spotify onto an empty part of the desktop, and let go when you see Link.
Or use the Applications folder (works when dragging doesn’t):
- Press Windows logo key + R, type shell:AppsFolder and select OK.
- Right-click Spotify and select Create shortcut.
- When Windows offers to put the shortcut on the desktop, select Yes.
If you installed Spotify from Spotify’s website rather than the Store, you can also search for Spotify in Start, right-click it, select Open file location, then right-click the Spotify shortcut there and select Show more options > Send to > Desktop (create shortcut).
To rename the new icon, right-click it and select Rename.
Pin Spotify to the taskbar or Start
A taskbar button stays visible when windows cover the desktop, so many people find it handier than a desktop icon.
- Select Start > All and find Spotify.
- Right-click Spotify and select More > Pin to taskbar. Or select Pin to Start to add it to the top of the Start menu.
You can also open Spotify, right-click its icon on the taskbar, and select Pin to taskbar.
Keep a small player on screen
Windows doesn’t have a Spotify widget for the desktop itself, but there are three built-in ways to control Spotify without opening the full window.
Spotify Miniplayer: in the Spotify app, select the Miniplayer button at the bottom right, next to the volume controls. A small window with the song, playback controls and album art floats over your other apps. You can resize it or close it to go back to the full app.
Quick Settings media controls: while Spotify is playing, select the network, volume or battery icons at the right end of the taskbar. The song and play, pause and skip buttons appear at the top of Quick Settings.
Game Bar widget: press Windows logo key + G to open Xbox Game Bar, open the Widget menu, and choose Spotify if it’s listed. Sign in when asked. The widget works over games and other apps, and you can pin it so it stays visible.
Many keyboards also have play, pause and skip keys that control Spotify, and pressing one shows a small media pop-up on the screen.
Open Spotify when Windows starts
If you’d like Spotify ready as soon as you sign in, turn it on in Start > Settings > Apps > Startup, or in Spotify’s own settings under Startup and window behavior. To stop it opening automatically, turn the same setting off.
If the Spotify icon looks wrong or doesn’t work
- The icon is blank or white. Restart your PC first. If it’s still blank, delete the shortcut and create it again from the Applications folder.
- The shortcut does nothing. Spotify may have been updated or reinstalled. Delete the shortcut and create a new one.
- Spotify isn’t in the Start menu. It isn’t installed for your Windows account. Install it again from the Microsoft Store or Spotify’s website.
- You can’t see desktop icons. Right-click the desktop, select View, and make sure Show desktop icons is checked.
Frequently asked questions
Does deleting the desktop icon uninstall Spotify?
No. It only removes the shortcut. Spotify, your playlists and downloads stay as they are.
Should I use the Store version or the website version?
Either works and they look the same. The Store version updates through the Microsoft Store, and the website version updates itself.
Can I put a playlist on the desktop?
Not directly. The simplest option is to pin Spotify to the taskbar and keep the playlist near the top of Your Library in the app.
How do I put other apps on the desktop?
Use the same steps for any app in the Start menu. For another example, see how to create a WhatsApp shortcut on the desktop in Windows 11.
Next steps
On a Windows 10 PC, see how to create a desktop shortcut in Windows 10 or how to update Spotify on Windows 10.
If you listen with Apple’s service instead, see how to listen to Apple Music on Windows 11.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.