How do I get steam to NOT make a desktop icon for new installs.

[Killer Goblin]

I just launch all my games through steam itself, I mean, I'm signing in anyway to keep my stuff updated and check on new/ upcoming/ discounted games, so I don't need an icon cluttering up my desktop (I hate a bazillion desktop icons, too) when I just use steam to launch it, but since the "wonderful" library update, it makes an icon by default when I install or reinstall something, and I can't find a way to turn it off, so I just keep deleting the game's shortcut icons manually. I've looked through the settings, and searching discussions just gives results about desktop icons not being made or messing up some other way.
I have the feeling it's something obvious I just don't notice, but maybe not

[Zekiran]

When you select 'install' it usually gives you the option to do so but I suspect it might also depend on the game. I literally just downloaded and installed Hitman 2, and it very clearly did give me the option to make a desktop icon, a start menu entry, or none of those.

[_I_]

or
library -> right click on game -> manage -> add desktop shortcut

[Zekiran]

Originally posted by _I_:

or
library -> right click on game -> manage -> add desktop shortcut

They don't want the desktop though :)

[Satoru]

but steam doesnt create a shotcut on the desktop or the start menu unlesss you explicitly check teh box to create one

There's no option that does that autmoatically and ive installed a bunch of games as a test and dont see the behavior. So I dont think its anything to do with the new steam ui

[_I_]

oops, just delete the shrotcuts from the desktop

i think the pre oct client, had an option in settings -> library page

[cSg|mc-Hotsauce]

Originally posted by _I_:

i think the pre oct client, had an option in settings -> library page

You are mistaken. There was no Library section in the settings before the Library UI update nor was there an option/toggle anywhere to automatically set desktop icons for games. Only through the install window and right click menus.

[Killer Goblin]

Originally posted by Satoru:

but steam doesnt create a shotcut on the desktop or the start menu unlesss you explicitly check teh box to create one

There's no option that does that autmoatically and ive installed a bunch of games as a test and dont see the behavior. So I dont think its anything to do with the new steam ui

Well, I didn't check anything on install, I know I had to check it before the UI update, but never did, going to install something small to see if it's pre-checked.

[The Giving One]

I don't see your OS, but assuming it's Windows 10, see this :

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-10-creates-desktop-shortcuts-automatically/aa92447e-e710-4e49-b9c3-354f5e380b7a

[Bozak]

Originally posted by _I_:

or
library -> right click on game -> manage -> add desktop shortcut

Thank you so much! I had the exact opposite problem of the OP and this helped me a lot!

[Adam]

This thread was quite old before the recent post, so we're locking it to prevent confusion.