Let's not forget that in the current Windows era even having desktop icons is largely unnecessary.

Hitting the Windows Key and starting to type the name of the program or app you're looking for is almost certain to return it as the first item in the results.  It also seems to learn what you often search for over time.

Two or three characters is often more than enough.

I use desktop shortcuts far less than I once did because of how much this function has improved over time.
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Brian - Windows 10, 64-Bit, Version 21H1, Build 19043  

The difference between a top-flight creative man and the hack is his ability to express powerful meanings indirectly.

         ~ Vance Packard