Shortcuts are a great way to quickly access programs, files, folders, even web pages. They can be conveniently placed on your desktop or in certain directories or folders. There are a few methods used to achieve these results. To proceed, make your selection from the list below.
Create a shortcut using Microsoft’s wizard
This method allows users to create shortcuts on the Windows desktop or in a folder.
Create a shortcut using Microsoft’s wizard.
Create a shortcut from a folder.
Right-click a blank space on the Windows desktop, a folder, or in a directory.
Move your mouse cursor over New in the drop-down menu that appears.
Then select Shortcut.
On the Create Shortcut window, click the button.
Locate the program you want to use for the shortcut (A), and then click OK (B).
Click the button.
Type a name for the shortcut, then click the button.
Create a shortcut from a folder
- Open the Windows File Explorer by pressing Windows key+E at the same time.
- Browse to the folder containing the program you want to use for the shortcut.
- Right-click the program and select Create Shortcut from the drop-down menu that appears.
You can pin a desktop shortcut for a program to the taskbar by dragging and dropping it there.
Doing so creates a shortcut named “<selected program’s name> - Shortcut” in the current directory.
After completing the steps above, you can right-click the shortcut to copy or cut it, and then paste it to another location.
If you want to rename this shortcut, right-click the file and select Rename.
Related information
- How to create a Windows shortcut key.
- How to remove unused icons from the Windows desktop.
- Add shortcuts to the desktop with a drag and a drop.
- Create desktop shortcuts to your favorite web pages.
- How to create a Microsoft Edge desktop shortcut.
- How to change the icon of a folder in Windows.
- How to create a computer file.
- See the shortcut definition for further information and related links.
- Microsoft Windows help and support.
