Creating a Desktop Shortcut: A Step-by-Step Guide

Have you ever found yourself constantly clicking through folders and programs to access a file or application that you use frequently? Well, the good news is that you can save yourself time and effort by creating a shortcut on your desktop instead. A shortcut is a simple icon on your desktop that links to a file or program and allows you to open it with just one click. In this article, we will show you how to create a shortcut on your desktop in a relaxed and easy-to-follow manner.

Creating a shortcut on your desktop is a great way to keep your most-used files or applications within easy reach. It’s a simple and effective way to save time and streamline your workflow. So, let’s get started on how to create a shortcut on your desktop in just a few simple steps.

Section 2: Steps to create a shortcut on the desktop

Step 1: Choose the file or program you want to create the shortcut for

The first step in creating a desktop shortcut is to choose the file or program for which you want to create a shortcut. This can be any file or program that you frequently use or access. Once you have selected the file or program, make a note of its location on your computer.

Step 2: Right-click on the file or program

Once you have chosen the file or program, right-click on it. This will bring up a dropdown menu of options.

Step 3: Click on “Create shortcut”

From the dropdown menu, select “Create shortcut”. This will create a new shortcut file for the chosen file or program.

Step 4: Move the shortcut to the desktop

The shortcut file will be created in the same folder as the original file or program. To move it to the desktop, simply drag and drop it onto the desktop or right-click on it and select “Cut”. Then, right-click on the desktop and select “Paste”.

Step 5: Rename the shortcut

By default, the shortcut will be named “Shortcut to [filename]”. To rename it, right-click on the shortcut and select “Rename”.

Step 6: Customize the shortcut icon

You can customize the icon for the shortcut to make it easily recognizable on your desktop. Right-click on the shortcut and select “Properties”. In the Properties window, click on the “Change icon” button and select from the available options or browse for your own icon.

Step 7: Pin the shortcut to the taskbar (optional)

If you frequently use the program or file, you can also pin the shortcut to the Windows taskbar for quick access. Simply right-click on the shortcut and select “Pin to taskbar”.

Step 8: Create a keyboard shortcut (optional)

You can create a keyboard shortcut for the shortcut file to access it even more quickly. Right-click on the shortcut and select “Properties”. Under the “Shortcut” tab, click on the “Shortcut key” field and press the key combination you want to use as a shortcut.

Step 9: Create a shortcut for a website

You can also create a desktop shortcut for a website. Simply navigate to the website in your preferred browser, click on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner, and select “More tools” > “Create shortcut”. Then, customize the name and icon of the shortcut and click “Create”.

Step 10: Delete a shortcut

If you no longer need a shortcut, simply right-click on it and select “Delete”. This will remove it from the desktop and any other location it may have been stored.

Section 2: Creating Desktop Shortcuts on Windows

1. Creating a Basic Shortcut on Windows 10

Windows 10 is one of the most commonly used operating systems globally, and here’s how to create a basic shortcut. Firstly, enter the name of the program/folder/file you want to make a shortcut for into the search bar located in the taskbar. When the program/folder/file appears, right-click on it and select “Create shortcut”.

2. Creating a Shortcut with a Custom Icon on Windows 10

Customizing a shortcut icon on Windows 10 is quite similar to creating a basic shortcut. After creating the shortcut, right-click on its icon and select “Properties”. From here, click on the “Change Icon” button, choose a suitable icon from the options available, and click “OK”.

3. Pinning a Program to the Taskbar on Windows 10

Pinning a program to the taskbar offers quick access to frequently used programs. Begin by locating the program you want to pin on the Start menu, right-click on it, and select “Pin to taskbar”.

4. Pinning a File or Folder to the Taskbar on Windows 10

To pin a file or folder to the taskbar on Windows 10, locate the file/folder in the File Explorer, right-click on it, and select “Pin to taskbar”. The assigned icon differs from that of a program, but the file/folder will remain accessible from the taskbar without having to open File Explorer.

5. Creating a Shortcut using Keyboard Shortcuts on Windows 10

Keyboard shortcuts are a much faster and more efficient way of creating shortcuts. Start by locating the program/folder/file in File Explorer, right-click on it and select “Create shortcut”. Then, press and hold the “Ctrl + Shift” keys on your keyboard, and at the same time, drag the shortcut to the desktop.

6. Creating a Desktop Shortcut on Windows 8/8.1

The process for creating desktop shortcuts on Windows 8/8.1 is quite similar to that of Windows 10. Right-click on the program/folder/file you want to make a shortcut for, select “Send to”, then click “Desktop (Create shortcut)”.

7. Creating a Customized Shortcut on Windows 7

Customizing a desktop shortcut on Windows 7 is quite simple. After creating the shortcut, right-click on its icon and select “Properties”. From there, click on the “Shortcut” tab, then select “Change Icon”. Choose your preferred icon from the list or browse through your folders to select a suitable icon.

8. Pinning a Program to the Taskbar on Windows 7

Follow these simple steps to pin a program to the taskbar on Windows 7; locate the program on the Start menu, right-click on it, then select “Pin to Taskbar”.

9. Creating a Shortcut using Quick Launch on Windows 7

Quick Launch offers an easier and faster way of accessing frequently used programs on Windows 7. Locate the program in the File Explorer, right-click on it, then select “Add to Quick Launch”.

10. Creating a Shortcut using the Send To option on Windows 7

The Send To option provides a quick way of creating shortcuts on Windows 7. Firstly, locate the program/folder/file you want to create a shortcut for, right-click on it, select “Send to”, then click “Desktop (Create shortcut)”.

Section 3: Creating a Shortcut on Windows

Creating a shortcut on your desktop is effortless and straightforward. In this section, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of creating a shortcut on your desktop with 5 subheadings.

1. Finding the Application or File You Want to Create a Shortcut For
The first step in creating a shortcut on your desktop is finding the application or file you want to create a shortcut for. This can be done by searching for the program/application or browsing through your files. Once you have located the application or file, right-click on the item and select “Create Shortcut.”

2. Moving the Shortcut to Your Desktop
With the shortcut created, move it to your desktop by dragging and dropping it onto your desktop. Alternatively, right-click on the shortcut and select “Cut” then right-click on your desktop and select “Paste.” You can also move a shortcut from the Start Menu by selecting the application, then right-clicking and selecting “Pin to Start Menu”. From there, drag the newly created shortcut to your desktop.

3. Renaming Your Shortcut
By default, shortcuts are named the same as the original file or program they are associated with. It is recommended to rename shortcuts, so they are easily recognizable on your desktop. To rename the shortcut, right-click on the file and select “Rename.” Type in your chosen name, and you’re done.

4. Customizing Your Shortcut Icon
Customizing your shortcut icon can make it easier to find. To change the icon of a shortcut, right-click on the file and select “Properties.” In the Properties window, click on the “Shortcut” tab, then click on the “Change Icon” button. Choose the icon you want from the available options, or you can browse for an icon file on your computer. Click on “OK” to save the changes.

5. Adding a Shortcut Key
If you want to create a shortcut key to open an application or file, you can do so by right-clicking on the shortcut icon and selecting “Properties.” In the Properties window, click on the “Shortcut” tab. Click on “Shortcut key,” and then press the keyboard key you want to use as a shortcut. The key combination should automatically appear in the “Shortcut key” field. Click on “Apply,” then “OK.”

In conclusion, creating a shortcut on your desktop can make your life easier by providing quick access to files and applications. With this guide, you can now create shortcuts, rename them, customize their icons, and even create shortcut keys to make opening them even faster. So what are you waiting for? Start creating shortcuts and simplify your computing life!

Wrap it up!

And that’s all folks! I hope this article on how to make a shortcut on your desktop was helpful. From now on, you don’t have to struggle to find your favorite applications and files. You can simply create a shortcut on your desktop and access them with just a click of a button. If you liked this article, please feel free to share it with your friends and family. And do visit us again later for more tips and tricks that will make your life easier. Thank you for reading and adios!