Windows 10 still lets you create desktop shortcuts to applications, files, folders, and fifty-fifty websites. Desktop icons may a petty out of fashion, but they're still useful every bit function of a nicely organized desktop.

How to Create a Shortcut to an Application

To do this the piece of cake way, open Windows 10's Kickoff menu. Wait for the application you lot desire to use past scrolling through the Apps list at the left side of the carte. If it's in the tiles listing at the correct side of the carte, you tin also drag it from there.

Once you've found it, drag and driblet the application'south shortcut from your Offset menu to your desktop. You lot'll see the word "Link" announced when you're hovering over the desktop. Release the mouse push to create a link to the program, also known every bit a desktop shortcut.

Creating a desktop shortcut from Windows 10's Start menu

Note that you tin't search for the application past proper name in the Start menu. Windows 10 won't let y'all drag and driblet anything from the search results. Information technology should, but it doesn't.

How to Create a Shortcut to a File or Folder

To create a desktop shortcut to a file, outset, locate the file somewhere in File Explorer. Concord downwards the Alt key on your keyboard and so elevate and drop the file or folder to your desktop. The words "Create Link in Desktop" will appear. Release the mouse button to create the link.

Creating a desktop shortcut from a file in Windows 10's File Explorer

Holding down Alt is necessary. If you don't concord down Alt, Windows will testify the words "Move to Desktop," and information technology will motion the folder or file to your desktop rather than simply creating a link.

How to Create a Shortcut to a Website

In Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, you can rapidly create desktop shortcuts to websites. With a web folio open, drag and drib the icon to the left of the address bar—it'due south generally a padlock or an "i" in a circle—to the desktop.

Creating a desktop shortcut link to a web page with Google Chrome on Windows 10

This doesn't work in Microsoft Edge for some reason. Border won't let y'all directly create desktop shortcuts. Yet, you tin create them in Chrome or Firefox, and they'll automatically open in your default web browser—even if that's Microsoft Edge.

Working With Your Shortcuts

Any blazon of shortcut you create, you can right-click it afterward, select "Rename," and change the name to whatever you like.

You can use all the above methods to create shortcuts in other folders, too. Desire to create a shortcut to a website or application in your Downloads folder? Become right alee! Merely drag and drop it to your desired location instead of the desktop.

If you don't see any shortcuts on your desktop, they may be hidden. Correct-click the desktop and select View > Bear witness Desktop Icons to unhide them.

You tin likewise choose the size of your desktop icons from here—large, medium, or pocket-sized. For more size options, position your mouse cursor over the desktop, hold down the Ctrl central, and scroll up and down with your mouse wheel.

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