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Most programs put a shortcut on your start menu or desktop when they’re installed. However, if you accidentally remove this shortcut or need to create a shortcut to a commonly used folder, this guide will show you the basics:

  • Create a shortcut on your desktop
  • Create a shortcut on the start menu

Hint: If you’re not sure where the program or folder is located, use the search box in Windows Explorer (Start > Computer or Windows Key + E)

Create a Shortcut on Your Desktop

Here are two easy ways to create a shortcut on your desktop:

Method 1: Send to Desktop (Create Shortcut)

1. Open Windows Explorer (Windows Key + E) and navigate to the desired program or folder

2. Right click the program or folder and click Send to > Desktop (create shortcut)

Method 2: ALT Key and Drag and Drop

1. Minimize all current Windows (Windows Key + D)

2. Open Windows Explorer (Windows Key + E) and navigate to the desired program or folder

3. Hold the ALT key, click the program/folder, and drag it over your desktop:

Note: You do not need to hold ALT to create a shortcut for programs but it’s good practice so you don’t relocate any files by accident

Create a Shortcut on the Start Menu

Here are two ways to create a shortcut on your start menu:

Method 1: Pin Program to Start Menu (Windows 7 only)

1. Open Windows Explorer (Windows Key + E) and navigate to the desired program or folder

2. Right click the program and click Pin to Start Menu

Method 2: ALT Key and Drag and Drop

1. Open Windows Explorer (Windows Key + E) and navigate to the desired program or folder

2. Hold the ALT key, click the program/folder, drag it over the Start button (wait for the menu to pop up), hold the icon over All Programs (wait for all Programs to show), and drop the icon on the start menu:

About Rich

Rich is the owner and creator of Windows Guides; he spends his time breaking things on his PC so he can write how-to guides to fix them.

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Comments

One thought on “Create a Shortcut to a Program or Folder on Your Desktop or Start Menu [Beginner Tip]”

  1. Brian Reed says:

    very informative and useful tips TY very much.

Comments are closed.


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