Cannot find the icon to start a game

Article ID: 936828 - View products that this article applies to.
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SYMPTOMS

After you install a Microsoft Games for Windows title, you cannot find the game in Windows 7 or in Windows Vista. No shortcuts are created on the desktop, and the game is not listed in the Programs menu.
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RESOLUTION

Create a game shortcut on your desktop

To create a shortcut, select the game in Games Explorer for which you want to create a shortcut. Drag the game to your desktop. The shortcut will be created on your desktop.

If you have installed the game but the icon for the game is not displayed in Games Explorer, you can manually create a shortcut from the game folder. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, and then click Computer.
  2. Double-click Drive C.
  3. Open the Program files folder.
  4. Open the Microsoft Games folder, and then open the specific game folder.
  5. Locate the executable file for the game.
  6. Right-click the executable file, and then click Create Shortcut. For example, for Flight Simulator, you would right-click fsx.exe.
  7. When you are prompted to create a shortcut on your desktop, Click Yes. See the following example:

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    create shortcut
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MORE INFORMATION

After you install Games for Windows on Windows Vista, the shortcuts to the games are located in the Games Explorer folder. The Games Explorer folder is the central location for all the games on the computer. In the Games Explorer folder, you can find and open the games that are installed on the computer, download game information, and keep track of the games that you have played most recently.

Windows uses the Games Explorer folder to combine your game titles into one easy-to-use location. The Games Explorer folder is the central location for all the games on your computer. It also gives you additional information about your games, and options for your games by letting you do the following:
  • Find and open the games that are installed on your computer
  • Download game information
  • Keep track of the games that you have played most recently
To watch a video about how to start the game by using Games Explorer, click Play to view this streaming media demonstration.

To open the Games Explorer folder, click Start
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Start button
, click All Programs, click Games, and then click Games Explorer.

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Games Explorer image


Note New games usually appear automatically in the Games Explorer folder. However, some earlier games might not automatically appear in the Games Explorer folder. If the game does not automatically appear in the Games Explorer folder, drag the game's executable file to the Games Explorer folder. The game's executable file is located in the folder where you installed the game.
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Properties

Article ID: 936828 - Last Review: September 29, 2011 - Revision: 8.0
APPLIES TO
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Keywords: 
dftsdahomeportal kbtshoot kbexpertisebeginner kbprb KB936828
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