How to Use Desktop Shortcuts for Quick Access to Files

You can create a shortcut (Windows) or an alias (Mac) and place it on the desktop. When you open the shortcut, the real file actually opens. Shortcuts and aliases are especially useful for quickly opening files and folders on a local network. These instructions should work for most operating systems.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computers
• Microsoft Windows

1. Find the file or folder you want to make an alias or shortcut for.

2. Right-click the file (Windows) or Control-click (Macintosh) and choose Create Shortcut or Make Alias from the window that appears.

3. Drag the shortcut to wherever you want it.

Tips & Warnings

• You can create a shortcut that will run a software application. In this case, you will have to create the shortcut to the program file (usually a file ending with .exe).
• Windows users can also drag the original file to the intended shortcut location while holding down the right mouse button. When you release the button to complete the drag, choose Create Shortcut from the menu that appears.
• When you open a shortcut for a networked folder or file, the computer automatically connects to the appropriate file server and opens it, sparing you the various steps of connecting to the server manually.
• If you delete, move or rename the original file, the shortcut or alias will no longer work.

on 11/22/2005 To minimize a window with the help of the keyboard, hold the 'window' button (which is next to the CTRL button) and press 'M.' The window will minimize.