How to create a Windows shortcut

Prabhu TL
2 Min Read
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Description: Description: The Microsoft Windows logo.

Shortcuts are a great way to quickly access programs, files, folders, and 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 follow the steps below.

Create a shortcut using Microsoft’s wizard

This method allows users to create shortcuts on the Windows desktop or in a folder.

1.     Right-click a blank space on the Windows desktop, a folder, or in a directory.

2.     Move your mouse cursor over New in the drop-down menu that appears.

Description: Description: The selector to create a new item in Windows.

3.     Then select Shortcut.

Description: Description: The selector to create a shortcut in Windows.

4.     On the Create Shortcut window, click the Description: Description: The Browse button in Windows. button.

5.     Locate the program for which you’d like to create a shortcut (A), and then click OK (B).

Description: Description: The menu in which users may create a desktop shortcut.

6.     Click the Description: Description: The next button. button.

7.     Type in a name for the shortcut, then click the Description: Description: The finish button in Windows. button.

Tip

You can pin a desktop shortcut for a program to the taskbar by dragging and dropping it there.

Create a shortcut from a folder

1.     Open the Windows File Explorer by pressing the Windows key and E at the same time.

2.     Browse to the folder that contains the program for which you’d like to create a shortcut.

3.     Right-click on the program and select Create Shortcut from the drop-down menu that appears.

Description: Description: The selector used to create a shortcut in Microsoft Windows.

4.     Doing so creates a shortcut named “<selected program’s name> – Shortcut” in the current directory.

Tip

If you want to rename this shortcut, right-click the file and select Rename.

5.     Once the steps above have been completed, you can right-click the shortcut to copy or cut it, and then paste it to another location.

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Prabhu TL is a SenseCentral contributor covering digital products, entrepreneurship, and scalable online business systems. He focuses on turning ideas into repeatable processes—validation, positioning, marketing, and execution. His writing is known for simple frameworks, clear checklists, and real-world examples. When he’s not writing, he’s usually building new digital assets and experimenting with growth channels.
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