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Resolved Question

Desktop Icons after upgrade from win 7 to win 10

Jan 4, 2016 5:22AM PST

Hello,
Sorry if this has been asked in the past:
I'm about to upgrade my Win 7 ultimate OS to Win 10.
I quite a few apps on my PC which appear to be compatible.
Each of my apps, including Microsoft products like Office I have a shortcut on the desktop.
Once the Upgrade has completed will these shortcuts still be visible and usable on the Win 10 desktop ?
Thanks very much for any advice.
Phil.

Discussion is locked

portchey has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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Your desktop shortcuts/icons
Jan 4, 2016 6:01AM PST

are stored in the folder C:\Users\account name\desktop. Account name is the username you use to login to WIndows 10. If you use a local accout with the same name as Windows 7 then the shorcuts will be there. If you create a Microsoft account then you can copy the shortcuts under C:\users\ Account name\Desktop to C:\users\Microsoft account\desktop\*.*.

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That's a nice addition
Jan 4, 2016 6:08AM PST

Let me add one also.

Some shortcuts (depending on what you told Windows when creating them, if there was that option) are in the "All Users" desktop. I didn't try, but I suppose they will still show up.

Kees

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On my Win 10 Home, can't access All users -> Desktop.
Jan 4, 2016 9:19AM PST

However the Windows 7 applications are still in the Program Files and Program Files(x86) folders. Be aware though that in Windows 10 you can no longer right-click and copy a shortcut from the Start menu, and you can't drag & drop it from there either. I just got a new laptop w/10 and had to go to the Program Files folders to be able to get my shortcuts for things like Office and other applications to put on my desktop. You CAN right-click and put a shortcut on the taskbar though.
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When it comes to the new style apps though, they're scattered all over the place, mostly in C:\Windows sub-folders where they're hard to find and don't run without being started by another piece of MS code. I don't have any use for any of these anyway, but have looked to see where MS in its great wisdom has put them.
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Good luck.

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Icons
Jan 4, 2016 10:35AM PST

Thank You for your fast reply.
Much appreciated.
Phil.

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Icons
Jan 4, 2016 10:34AM PST

Thank You for your fast reply.
Much appreciated.
Phil.

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Icons
Jan 4, 2016 10:34AM PST

Thank You for your fast reply.
Much appreciated.
Phil.

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Answer
Re: icons on Desktop
Jan 4, 2016 5:51AM PST

Yes, they will stay and still work.

And if they don't, just make new ones yourself. That's easy, isn't it?

Kees

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Icons
Jan 4, 2016 10:35AM PST

Thank You for your fast reply.
Much appreciated.
Phil.

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Answer
Upgrade
Jan 4, 2016 8:49AM PST

Before you do this do have a full system backup and a method to restore.
Just in case this blows up on you.
W7 machines can be a little old and some don't upgrade well.

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Icons
Jan 4, 2016 10:35AM PST

Thank You for your fast reply.
Much appreciated.
Phil.