Fix for Internet Explorer 7 Desktop icon missing

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The Internet Explorer icon might be missing after either you upgrade the Internet Explorer version to 7, or installed through Windows updates.This is not an issue and is by design. Unlike the previous versions of Internet Explorer, the option to enable to Internet Explorer icon on the Windows Desktop is not available. The behaviour of Internet Explorer 7, which is bundled with Windows Vista is also the same.

The option to show Internet Explorer via a check box is missing.

Control Panel > Display > Desktop > Customize Desktop, Internet Explorer check box is missing.

or

You can open right-clicking on Desktop > Properties > Desktop > Customize Desktop

Solution1

To resolve the issue, follow these steps

Click Start>Run Type regedit click ok

Navigate to the following registry key from left pane

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons
\NewStartPanelIn the right hand pane, double-click {871C5380-42A0-1069-A2EA-08002B30309D} key.

Enter dword value as 0 to enable the Internet Explorer icon on the Desktop.right click on desktop and click “Refresh”.

Solution 2

To create a new shortcut for Internet Explorer we’ll look for IExplore.exe which is normally “C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE”. Navigate to “C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer”, click and hold on IEXPLORE.EXE, and drag it over to your desktop. As you drag it over the desktop you should see the little curved “shortcut arrow” appear indicating that if you release it onto the desktop you’ll be creating a shortcut.

Solution 3

Right click on the desktop, select New, Shortcut and in the dialog that results, select the Browse button. Now expand directories listed there to locate the file you want a shortcut to; for example My Computer, C:, Program Files, Internet Explorer. In there we’ll see IEXPLORER.EXE; click on that, hit OK, and then Next. Now enter a name for your shortcut (that’s what will show on the desktop) and press Finish.

 Solution 4

Right-click the desktop. Point to Arrange Icons By.
Click Show Desktop Icons.

Solution 5

1.Right-click an empty area of the desktop and choose “Properties”.

2. When the “Display Properties” multi-tabbed dialog box appears, click the “Desktop” tab.

3. Click the “Customize Desktop” button.

4. A “Desktop Items” dialog box will appear. Make sure the “General” tab is selected.

5. Choose an icon to change back.

6. Click “Restore Default”.

7. Click “OK” on the dialog boxes to close them.

Solution 6 

If you’re using classic theme or scheme, browse to the following registry location instead

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\ClassicStartMenu]

If the above key doesn’t exist, create a new key.

Edit or create a DWORD (32-bit) value named {871C5380-42A0-1069-A2EA-08002B30309D} and set it with value of 0 (dword:00000000).

Refresh desktop by pressing F5 or right click on desktop and click “Refresh”.