How to Create a Shortcut for Desktop: Tips and Tricks

How to Create a Shortcut for Desktop: Tips and Tricks

Do you have important files and programs saved on your computer that you access frequently? Do you want to save time opening them every time by creating shortcuts on your desktop? If you find yourself struggling with this task, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Creating a desktop shortcut is a common need and can be accomplished quickly and efficiently using various methods. In this article, we will explore different ways to create a shortcut for the desktop in Windows 10, and share some tips that will help you manage your shortcuts more efficiently.

Using the Right-Click Context Menu

The Right-click Context Menu is a built-in Windows feature that allows users to perform actions on specific items, such as files or folders, by right-clicking on them. Creating a desktop shortcut is one of the options available through the context menu.

To create a desktop shortcut using the right-click context menu, follow these steps:

1. Locate the file or program you want to create a shortcut for on your computer.
2. Right-click on the item.
3. Select “Create shortcut” from the drop-down menu.
4. The shortcut will be created on your desktop and will have the same name as the original file or folder. To rename it, right-click on the shortcut and select “Rename.”

Using the right-click context menu is a quick and easy way to create a shortcut for your desktop, especially if you only need to create a few shortcuts occasionally.

Drag and Drop

Another method of creating a desktop shortcut is through a drag-and-drop feature.

To create a desktop shortcut using drag and drop, follow these steps:

1. Locate the file or program you want to create a shortcut for on your computer.
2. Click and hold the left mouse button on the file or program.
3. Drag the item onto your desktop, then release the mouse button.
4. The shortcut will be created on your desktop and will have the same name as the original file or folder. To rename it, right-click on the shortcut and select “Rename.”

Using drag and drop is a simple method that can be used to create a shortcut on your desktop without opening any menus or windows. You can also drag and drop a file or program onto the taskbar to pin it there.

Keyboard Shortcut

The keyboard shortcut method is another way to create a desktop shortcut. It is simple and can be done quickly without using your mouse.

To create a desktop shortcut using the keyboard shortcut method, follow these steps:

1. Locate the file or program you want to create a shortcut for on your computer.
2. Select the item by clicking on it once.
3. Hold down the Alt and F10 keys together.
4. Drag the item to your desktop, then release the mouse button.
5. The shortcut will be created on your desktop and will have the same name as the original file or folder. To rename it, right-click on the shortcut and select “Rename.”

The keyboard shortcut method is a useful option for those who prefer using keyboard commands rather than relying on the mouse. However, it can take some time to get used to.

Command Prompt

The Command Prompt method provides a way to create a desktop shortcut quickly using a command without opening any menus or windows. This method requires basic knowledge of the command prompt.

To create a desktop shortcut using the Command Prompt method, follow these steps:

1. Open the Command Prompt by typing “cmd” in the search bar, then selecting the “Command Prompt” option.
2. Type “cd C:\Users\username\Desktop” (replace “username” with your Windows username).
3. Type “mklink shortcutname target” (replace “shortcutname” with the name you want to give your shortcut and “target” with the location of the file or program you want to create a shortcut for).
4. The shortcut will be created on your desktop with the specified name.

Using the Command Prompt method might seem daunting to beginners, but it can be very efficient for experienced users who prefer using commands instead of the graphical interface.

Windows PowerShell

Windows PowerShell is another command-line tool that can be used to create a desktop shortcut. It has more advanced features than the Command Prompt and provides more options for customizing the shortcut.

To create a desktop shortcut using Windows PowerShell, follow these steps:

1. Open PowerShell by typing “powershell” in the search bar, then selecting the “Windows PowerShell” option.
2. Type “New-Item -ItemType SymbolicLink -Name ‘ShortcutName’ -Target ‘FileOrProgramLocation'” (Replace “ShortcutName” with your preferred name and “FileOrProgramLocation” with the location of the file or program you want to create a shortcut for).
3. To set an icon for the shortcut, right-click on the desktop shortcut and select “Properties.” Select the “Web Document” tab, then paste the URL of the icon file in the “Address” field. Click “OK.”

The Windows PowerShell method can be very useful for advanced users who want to customize their shortcuts. However, it requires some knowledge of PowerShell syntax.

File Explorer

The File Explorer method provides a quick and easy way to create a desktop shortcut by using the built-in features of File Explorer.

To create a desktop shortcut using File Explorer, follow these steps:

1. Open File Explorer and locate the file or program you want to create a shortcut for.
2. Right-click on the item, select “Create shortcut,” and then drag the shortcut to your desktop.
3. To pin the shortcut to the Start menu, right-click on the shortcut, and select “Pin to Start.”

The File Explorer method is a quick and easy way to create desktop shortcuts and offers the option to pin the shortcut to the Start menu for added convenience.

Third-Party Software

If you find yourself creating many shortcuts and want a tool that makes it more manageable, you can use third-party software. One such application is Stardock Fences, which is a desktop organization tool that creates containers to group shortcuts and files.

Other alternatives include ObjectDock and RocketDock, which display shortcuts in a dock bar style. These applications provide an attractive and intuitive way to manage shortcuts and improve your productivity.

Conclusion

Creating a desktop shortcut is an essential skill that can save time and improve productivity. In this article, we explored several different methods to create a desktop shortcut, including through the right-click context menu, drag and drop feature, keyboard shortcut, Command Prompt, Windows PowerShell, and File Explorer. We also discussed the benefits of using third-party software to manage and customize your shortcuts efficiently.

With these tips and tricks, you can create shortcuts for all your important files and programs, making it easy to access them quickly and efficiently.