How to Add an Icon to a Windows Start Menu

You can add icons to your "Start" menu and your desktop and use them as shortcuts to programs. Shortcuts on the "Start" menu offer the advantage of being more accessible when the desktop is obscured by windows. The following steps explain how to accomplish this.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Find the file for which you wish to create a shortcut. You can use Windows Explorer or any other means that represents the desired file graphically. Move the mouse cursor over the file and hold the left mouse button down.

2. Drag the file by moving the cursor to the start button and hold it there until the "Start" menu comes up. This normally takes about a second but can be longer if your computer is busy.

3. Move the mouse cursor to between the two icons where you want the new icon to appear. Drop the file by releasing the mouse button. An icon should appear in the chosen location.

4. Create a shortcut to a website by starting Internet Explorer and going to that website. Find the Internet Explorer icon in the Address bar and drag it to the "Start" menu as described in Step 3. Clicking on this icon will start an Internet Explorer session and take you to the website automatically.

5. Copy a shortcut on your desktop by dragging and dropping it to the "Start" menu. You still will have the shortcut on your desktop and it will now reside in your "Start" menu as well.

Resources

• Learn more about adding an icon to a Windows start menu.