diff --git a/menuinst/_schema.py b/menuinst/_schema.py
index 472862ac..65474941 100644
--- a/menuinst/_schema.py
+++ b/menuinst/_schema.py
@@ -90,8 +90,8 @@ class Windows(BasePlatformSpecific):
 
     desktop: Optional[bool] = True
     "Whether to create a desktop icon in addition to the Start Menu item."
-    quicklaunch: Optional[bool] = True
-    "Whether to create a quick launch icon in addition to the Start Menu item."
+    quicklaunch: Optional[bool] = False
+    "DEPRECATED. Whether to create a quick launch icon in addition to the Start Menu item."
     terminal_profile: constr(min_length=1) = None
     """
     Name of the Windows Terminal profile to create.
diff --git a/menuinst/data/menuinst.default.json b/menuinst/data/menuinst.default.json
index c9acad43..332e1a87 100644
--- a/menuinst/data/menuinst.default.json
+++ b/menuinst/data/menuinst.default.json
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@
         },
         "win": {
           "desktop": true,
-          "quicklaunch": true,
+          "quicklaunch": false,
           "terminal_profile": null,
           "url_protocols": null,
           "file_extensions": null,
diff --git a/menuinst/data/menuinst.schema.json b/menuinst/data/menuinst.schema.json
index 3ce53052..99978182 100644
--- a/menuinst/data/menuinst.schema.json
+++ b/menuinst/data/menuinst.schema.json
@@ -606,7 +606,7 @@
         },
         "quicklaunch": {
           "title": "Quicklaunch",
-          "default": true,
+          "default": false,
           "type": "boolean"
         },
         "terminal_profile": {
diff --git a/menuinst/platforms/win.py b/menuinst/platforms/win.py
index c80f7076..93829d5e 100644
--- a/menuinst/platforms/win.py
+++ b/menuinst/platforms/win.py
@@ -228,6 +228,7 @@ def _paths(self) -> Tuple[Path, ...]:
         if self.metadata["desktop"]:
             extra_dirs.append(self.menu.desktop_location)
         if self.metadata["quicklaunch"] and self.menu.quick_launch_location:
+            warnings.warn("Quick launch menus are deprecated.")
             extra_dirs.append(self.menu.quick_launch_location)
 
         if extra_dirs:
diff --git a/news/272-quicklaunch b/news/272-quicklaunch
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7d14cd93
--- /dev/null
+++ b/news/272-quicklaunch
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+### Enhancements
+
+* <news item>
+
+### Bug fixes
+
+* <news item>
+
+### Deprecations
+
+* In v2-style schemas, Windows setting `quicklaunch` default value is now `false` and using it is considered deprecated. (#244 via #272)
+
+### Docs
+
+* <news item>
+
+### Other
+
+* <news item>