How to Create and Customize a Desktop Shortcut
Creating a shortcut to quickly navigate around your PC is a great idea. It can save countless mouse clicks, and speeds up almost any process considerably. A special folder can even be made on the desktop strictly for shortcuts, so that they won’t clutter up the area so much. Once you get the hang of creating and modifying shortcuts, tasks that used to be arduous will be a breeze!
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
Creation of the Shortcut
-
1
Locate the file you wish to create a shortcut for. The file in the example is a picture in the Documents portion of a Vista computer, but the file can be located anywhere on the computer, and does not have to be an image. Right click on the file, and scroll the mouse arrow down to “Send To,” outlined in red for the caption.
-
2
Scroll to and click on “Desktop (create shortcut” when the side box opens. This will create a new icon on your desktop which can be selected and clicked, and will instantly bring you back to this file.
-
-
3
Go to your desktop and locate the new file. It will be called a combination of the original file name and the word “Shortcut,” and contains a blue and white arrow box, which is the Windows sign for a shortcut.
Modification of the Shortcut
-
4
Right click on the new shortcut, and scroll the mouse arrow down to “Rename,” outlined in red for the caption.
-
5
Type in the new desired name of the file in the blinking area below the icon. This arrow will be highlighted in blue until you begin typing. When the new shortcut name is complete, simply hit "Enter."
-
6
Place the new shortcut icon somewhere on the desktop that will be easily found, or in a folder on the desktop. To do this, simply right click the icon and hold it. Move it around, and then drop it by releasing the right mouse button.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
A custom icon can also be made, by right clicking the shortcut and choosing "Properties," then "Change Icon."
If linking to a video or picture, Windows will actually display the picture, or play the video. Link to the folder they are in if you just wish to be taken to them.
