What is a shortcut?
A shortcut offers a way of performing a task more quickly, such as starting a program or accessing a document. The shortcut icon has a small arrow in the left corner to help you distinguish it from the actual icon that represents programs and files.
The icon above is a desktop shortcut
for the Things to do document that’s actually stored in this particular
user’s My Documents folder.
v When you delete a shortcut, the
original item still exists on your computer in its original location.
Adding
a shortcut
In this lesson, you will learn three
ways to create a shortcut. Choose the one that works best for you.
To
add a shortcut to the desktop using windows explorer or my computer:
1.
Open
Windows Explorer or My Computer.
2.
Double-click
a drive or folder.
3.
Click
the file, program, or folder for which you want to make a shortcut. The item
darkens when you select it.
4.
Choose
File
Create Shortcut.
5.
Resize the window so you can see the desktop.
6.
Hover the
mouse pointer over the shortcut icon, the hold down the left mouse
button and drag the shortcut onto the desktop (in the left pane).
7.
Release
the left mouse button, and a shortcut is moved to the desktop.
v Alternatively, press Ctrl + Shift
while dragging the file to the desktop to create a shortcut.
Right-click
to add a shortcut
One method to create a shortcut works
in both My Computer and Windows Explorer. This method requires
you to right-click.
To add a shortcut by right-click:
1.
Open
Windows Explorer or My Computer.
2.
Double-click
a drive or folder.
3.
Right-click
the file, program, or folder for which you want to make a shortcut.
4.
A
pop-up menu appears. Choose Create Shortcut.
5.
Resize
the window so you can see the desktop.
6.
Hover
the mouse pointer over the shortcut icon, then hold down the left mouse
button and drag the shortcut onto the desktop (in the left pane).
7.
Release
the left mouse button, and a shortcut is moved to the desktop.
