Depending how Windows is set up sometimes Windows will add or remove the icon from the desktop.
For example, under XP, if you use the "normal" Start menu in the bottom left the icon is NOT on the desktop, but if you change the menu to the "Classic Start Menu" it DOES add IE to the desktop.
So maybe someone has changed some of the Windows settings on your PC.
i tried to drag it but that didnt work, it was there when i switched it off and it was gone when i switched it back on the following day, settings havent been touched
how do i go classic menu? thanks