How to Create Desktop Shortcuts for Files & Websites

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Make shortcuts quickly and easily on Windows 10 and 11

Co-authored by Yaffet Meshesha and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: July 10, 2024 Fact Checked

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Using the Desktop Menu

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Using the Start Menu

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Using the File Location

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Making Website Shortcuts

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Video

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Expert Q&A

Desktop shortcuts allow files and applications to be opened easily with just 2 clicks, and can save you valuable time when you’re on the computer. We’ll guide you through the easiest ways to set up as many shortcuts as you need using the desktop menu, the file location itself, or the start menu. We’ll also cover how to make shortcuts of your favorite websites, no matter which browser you’re using.

Quick Steps

Right-click (or press) the desktop to pull up a smaller menu.
Click New > Shortcut.
Click Browse.
Find and click on the file you’d like a shortcut of.
Hit OK.
Find your new shortcut on the desktop.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Using the Desktop Menu

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If your computer has a touch screen, press and hold on the screen to access this menu.^{[1]
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Microsoft Support
Technical support and product information from Microsoft.

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2
Click on New and Shortcut. This will open up the Create Shortcut window.

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3
Click Browse and find the file you’d like to make a shortcut of. It may help to review the exact file location of your desired app or file so it’s easy to access here. As soon as you choose the location, the box will be filled with the file path.^{[2]
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Technical support and product information from Microsoft.

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- You can also type the address of the file if you know it offhand, but there are less likely to be any errors if you choose it manually.
At this point, double-check that you’ve selected the correct location for your shortcut.
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Rename the shortcut if you so desire. If you’re happy with the default name, feel free to leave it as-is.
This confirms the name of your new shortcut and sends it to your desktop screen. Your shortcut is now ready to use!

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Using the Start Menu

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1
Click the
icon on your task bar. A larger menu or window will pop up, depending on the version of Windows you’re running.
2
Type your desired app or program. On Windows 10, the search bar will be at the bottom of the Start menu; on Windows 11, it’ll be at the top of the pop-up window.
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Click and hold on your desired program. Keep your cursor glued to the application.
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Drag the application outside the Start menu/window and onto the desktop. The original application/file will still be in the window, but you’ll now have a shortcut on your desktop that’s ready to use.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Using the File Location

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1
Locate the file in File Explorer. Navigate through your computer’s folders and files until you find the file you’d like to make a shortcut out of.^{[3]
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- If you’re struggling to find the proper file, use the Search bar in your taskbar to help.
Make sure to select the file before right-clicking.
3
Click Create Shortcut. In the menu that pops up, find Create Shortcut toward the bottom.^{[4]
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Microsoft Support
Technical support and product information from Microsoft.

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- According to computer specialist Yaffet Meshesha, “a shortcut of that file or program will be made in that same file path that can then be moved to anywhere on your computer.”
You can now easily access your application with a double-click.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Making Website Shortcuts

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1
Google Chrome
- Click ⁝ in the top right corner of the screen.
- Click Save & share.
- Click Create shortcut.
- Click Create.
2
Microsoft Edge
- Click ⋯ in the top right corner.
- Click Apps.
- Click Install this site as an app.
- Check off Create Desktop shortcut on the menu that pops up in the new window.^{[5]
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3
Safari
- Click on the address bar.
- Click and hold on the globe icon or the site’s icon left of the address bar.
- Drag this icon to your desktop.^{[6]
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4
Mozilla Firefox
- Click and hold the lock icon next to the address bar.
- Drag this icon to your desktop to create a new shortcut.^{[7]
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5
Opera
- Click and hold the icon left of the address bar.
- Drag this icon to your desktop.^{[8]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

How do I create a desktop shortcut in Windows 10? Is it any different?

Yaffet Meshesha
Computer Specialist
Yaffet Meshesha is a Computer Specialist and the Founder of Techy, a full-service computer pickup, repair, and delivery service. With over eight years of experience, Yaffet specializes in computer repairs and technical support. Techy has been featured on TechCrunch and Time.

Yaffet Meshesha

Computer Specialist

Expert Answer

Not really, it's pretty straightforward. You just left click the item and the right click "create shortcut." Then, you can cut and paste the shortcut to the desktop.

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Question

I don't know what it means to find the location.

Buckley cherry090

Community Answer

File Location is the place where the file is kept and stored on the disk. So you need to file which folder it is in, and then you can create its desktop shortcut.

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