Add Internet Explorer 7 Launcher To Windows Vista Desktop

Unlike previous versions of Windows, such as Windows XP, Windows Vista does not include the Internet Explorer launcher icon on the desktop. My Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook came with a shortcut to Internet Explorer 7, but all shortcuts come with a rather unsightly arrow graphic layered on top and lack that whole ‘official’ look. Well, that’s just how I feel anyway; I just prefer to not have to see that wretched arrow obstructing my icons!

In order to bring back the ‘proper’ Internet Explorer 7 launcher icon, all you need to do is run a simply registry editing command:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel]
“{871C5380-42A0-1069-A2EA-08002B30309D}”=dword:00000000

Upon doing so will add the ‘proper’ Internet Explorer 7 launcher icon to your desktop.

Alternatively, you could just go ahead and add the Internet Explorer 7 icon the easy way by downloading this handy little tool that I have included within the WinRAR zip archive.

[ Download Link ]

Simply download and extra the contents of the zip archive, which in this case is a single Windows Vista registry editing file, and double click to run the command. And, hey-presto! All done!