Windows ten still lets y'all create desktop shortcuts to applications, files, folders, and fifty-fifty websites. Desktop icons may a piffling out of fashion, but they're still useful equally role of a nicely organized desktop.

How to Create a Shortcut to an Awarding

To do this the easy fashion, open Windows ten'due south Showtime menu. Await for the application you want to apply by scrolling through the Apps list at the left side of the menu. If it'due south in the tiles list at the right side of the menu, you tin as well drag it from at that place.

One time you lot've institute information technology, drag and drib the application's shortcut from your Starting time menu to your desktop. You'll see the word "Link" appear when you're hovering over the desktop. Release the mouse button to create a link to the plan, also known as a desktop shortcut.

Creating a desktop shortcut from Windows 10's Start menu

Notation that you lot tin't search for the awarding by proper noun in the Start menu. Windows ten won't let you drag and drop anything from the search results. Information technology should, but it doesn't.

How to Create a Shortcut to a File or Binder

To create a desktop shortcut to a file, first, locate the file somewhere in File Explorer. Hold down the Alt fundamental on your keyboard and then drag and drop the file or folder to your desktop. The words "Create Link in Desktop" will appear. Release the mouse button to create the link.

Creating a desktop shortcut from a file in Windows 10's File Explorer

Holding downward Alt is necessary. If you lot don't hold down Alt, Windows will testify the words "Move to Desktop," and it will move the folder or file to your desktop rather than only creating a link.

How to Create a Shortcut to a Website

In Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, you tin rapidly create desktop shortcuts to websites. With a web folio open, drag and drop the icon to the left of the address bar—it's generally a padlock or an "i" in a circle—to the desktop.

Creating a desktop shortcut link to a web page with Google Chrome on Windows 10

This doesn't piece of work in Microsoft Edge for some reason. Border won't let you directly create desktop shortcuts. All the same, you can create them in Chrome or Firefox, and they'll automatically open up in your default web browser—even if that'southward Microsoft Edge.

Working With Your Shortcuts

Whatsoever type of shortcut y'all create, y'all can correct-click it after, select "Rename," and alter the name to whatever you like.

You can use all the above methods to create shortcuts in other folders, too. Want to create a shortcut to a website or application in your Downloads folder? Go right ahead! Just drag and driblet it to your desired location instead of the desktop.

If you don't see whatsoever shortcuts on your desktop, they may be hidden. Right-click the desktop and select View > Evidence Desktop Icons to unhide them.

You can also choose the size of your desktop icons from here—large, medium, or modest. For more size options, position your mouse cursor over the desktop, hold downwardly the Ctrl primal, and scroll up and down with your mouse bike.

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