Unable to create Desktop Shortcuts

[Kyu]

I recently got some new games and wanted to put shortcuts for the ones I really enjoyed. I right clicked a game and clicked "Create Desktop Shortcut" and it gave me this error: "Could not create shortcut. A shortcut is probably already on the Desktop.". I don't have any of these games on my desktop yet, so I'm not sure whats going on. Thanks.

[fresh meat m8]

i tried everything, i spend so much time trying everything but in the end all i have to do is RUN STEAM AS ADMINISTRATOR!! and it worked ♥♥♥♥ me :)

[luv2sk337]

i might be late on this one but here's the solution :
go to your steam installation folder right click on steam.exe > properties > compatibility > and check the "run as administrator" box.
you should be able to create shortcuts now from steam library

[TheSingular]

Steam beta has this problem fixed, you can opt-in to the beta from settings->account.

[Tim]

Originally posted by RadRaandyy:

I recently got some new games and wanted to put shortcuts for the ones I really enjoyed. I right clicked a game and clicked "Create Desktop Shortcut" and it gave me this error: "Could not create shortcut. A shortcut is probably already on the Desktop.". I don't have any of these games on my desktop yet, so I'm not sure whats going on. Thanks.

You have to activate beta Steam to have this function. Go to settings account and activate beta after steam restarts (maybee couple times) you can have your shortcuts.

[†Crusader_chan†]

Originally posted by Adrian:

i tried everything, i spend so much time trying everything but in the end all i have to do is RUN STEAM AS ADMINISTRATOR!! and it worked ♥♥♥♥ me :)

Holy frick this 2 years old thread has been solved with the only simple thing that was overlooked and it was just running it on Admin. I feel betrayed...

[klepp0906]

Originally posted by ✞Crusader_chan✞:

Originally posted by Adrian:

i tried everything, i spend so much time trying everything but in the end all i have to do is RUN STEAM AS ADMINISTRATOR!! and it worked ♥♥♥♥ me :)

Holy frick this 2 years old thread has been solved with the only simple thing that was overlooked and it was just running it on Admin. I feel betrayed...

i mean, if you like steam to start with windows, and dont want to run scripts or make elevated shortcuts that rely on task scheduler, your still screwed.

apparently its fixed in the beta - but damn near everything else is broken so i'll do without my shortcut creation considering the new library UI they just dropped on everyones head.

[Andy's Games]

The issue can still exist, fellas.
So here are the steps I took to make it work out. (Note: I was using the beta)
Steam -> Settings -> Clear Download Cache -> Confirm all after that.

[Gihan.S(97)]

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steam.exe click compatibility tic "run this program as administrator
steam will show some warning, click continue

[Brendan]

Originally posted by imprezayh:

Hello I came across this problem and saw this thread when trying to solve this problem and I just want to say that clearing download cache worked for me. Open your Steam Client -> Steam (top-left) -> Settings -> Download tab -> Clear Download Cache

I know it's been forever since you posted this but thank you so much!

[oreo1313]

I found the fix: First, go to the game you want to create a shortcut for. Then click the gear icon. Go to manage then to browse local files. Then scroll down until you find the .exe file. Right click it and select create shortcut. You should then see an executable that looks like a desktop shortcut. Right click that and press send to then select move to desktop. Hope this helped😊

[crunchyfrog]

Originally posted by The Inquisitor:

Originally posted by Heave Darko:

open the game folder, find the launcher and create a shortcut

yes this of course will work. But I have had this same problem for a long time now. Does anyone have an answer to the issue?

Nope, but I've noticed it too, since I've come back to Steam a couple of weeks ago.

All I did was what another has suggested - found the executable in the folder and right clicked on that. It works. I know it's not perfect.

I'm sure it will be either fixed or explained soon. In which case, opting in or out of the beta client might be able to fix this.

[Jameszy12]

Originally posted by RadRaandyy:

I recently got some new games and wanted to put shortcuts for the ones I really enjoyed. I right clicked a game and clicked "Create Desktop Shortcut" and it gave me this error: "Could not create shortcut. A shortcut is probably already on the Desktop.". I don't have any of these games on my desktop yet, so I'm not sure whats going on. Thanks.

I found a video that fixed my problem here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPMl4k821Z8
maybe it will help.

[OptimusPerky]

Originally posted by RadRaandyy:

I recently got some new games and wanted to put shortcuts for the ones I really enjoyed. I right clicked a game and clicked "Create Desktop Shortcut" and it gave me this error: "Could not create shortcut. A shortcut is probably already on the Desktop.". I don't have any of these games on my desktop yet, so I'm not sure whats going on. Thanks.

I know this was a few years ago, however, I ran into this issue the other day. A few of the posters commented on redirected folders, including desktop and they couldn't create desktop shortcuts, another mentioned it was to do with the Steam service running as system.

The way I got around the issue, specifically for redirected folders on a NAS drive, was to change the service to the account I log onto my PC with. I hope this helps some people that come across this issue.

[danny_bowen]

Try to run Steam as an administrator. Worked for me.

[x_CrazyDog_x]

I am having this issue now, so does some other people i know after the 22-23march 2021 update (which did give popup about steamservices.exe not working properly and needed to update which it did and then the shortcuts creation stopped,
Run as admin works but can not figure out what another solution could be, never had to run it as admin. ANd un as admin gives problem on windows startup, it doesnt auto start in background with run as admin, which is problem for me.
Hope steam fixes their stuff.