Windows 10 and Windows 11 offer us several ways to create shortcuts to the applications or files that we want depending on their origin. Next, we are going to explain the different simple ways we have to create shortcuts in Windows. Also, we have the classic way to create and configure a new shortcut by hand.
create it by hand
As we mentioned, there are several ways in which the Redmond operating system itself allows us to create shortcuts. These can call all kinds of content that we have stored on the drives. Here we refer to elements such as text documents, images, executables, folders or even functions of the operating system itself. Of course, for this we will have to carry out the process from scratch, which is a little more cumbersome than the method seen previously.
Well then, if that is what we need, for example, first of all, we are going to situate ourselves in the Windows desktop. We say the Desktop because it is usually one of the most common locations where we usually or can place these custom shortcuts. In this way we can open those contents to which we refer, in a much faster way instead of having to navigate through the File Explorer. So, at this point all we have to do is click with the right mouse button on any location of this. In the contextual menu that will then appear, click on the New / Direct Access option.
This will lead us to a new window where we will already have the possibility of defining this custom element that we are referring to here. In this way, the first thing we do in it is to choose the element that we want to call just by browsing the disk drives from the button Examine. Once we have chosen the content as such that we are going to call directly, then we only have to assign it a representative name. For example, in this field we can put the name of the file or folder that is called so as not to be confused with others.
This is the classic way to create a shortcut from scratch.
Copy > Paste Shortcut
Another technique that we can use to create a new shortcut is to do it from the Windows context menu. If we have the original file at hand, we can copy it using the right mouse button (or the Control + C keyboard shortcut), and, where we want to place it, use the “Paste Shortcut” option.
In this way, we will be able to directly have the link on the desktop, or a folder, much more directly and quickly. This method is valid for everything too, both for programs and for files or folders.
Other ways to create shortcuts
In addition to the two ways that we have just seen in the previous steps, which would be the most basic, Windows offers us many other alternatives to create shortcuts. Next, we are going to see some of the most interesting, and useful, to carry out this simple task.
Drag and drop
One of the quickest and easiest ways to create a shortcut on our computer is to do so by dragging the file or program that we want to link from its folder to the desktop (or to another folder).
To do this, we simply drag the file we want to link from its main folder to the desktop by holding down the left Alt key on the keyboard and we can see how the option that will appear will be to create a link.
When you release the mouse, we will automatically create the shortcut for that file.
Take advantage of the application wizard
As a general rule, on most occasions when we are faced with the installation process of any program in Windows, we do not pay attention to the windows that appear. We refer to the dialog boxes that the installers of the applications that we add show us in screen. Sometimes, in fact, many of these let us know about important permissions the program is going to put into operation, and we don’t read them either. Obviously this is an error that we should try to alleviate as much as possible. It is enough that we pay a little more attention to the installation assistants that many of these programs offer us.
In them, we will sometimes find the aforementioned permissions that the application will use by default, as well as some interesting parameters to configure it. But in this case we want to focus on the shortcuts that we can create. We tell you all this because equally in these attendees of facility, we can find a parameter specially indicated for this. This means that, if we pay a little attention to these assistants, on many occasions we will have the possibility of add or create that shortcut automatically.
All this will save us from having to carry out the creation processes that we have mentioned in these same lines. In fact, sometimes we can even specify the location where we want the shortcut icon to the program to be located.
Using the start menu for programs
Very useful to create shortcuts for the applications installed on the PC is to do it from the start menu. Here we can have at hand all the applications and programs that we have installed. The methods for Windows 11 and Windows 10 are slightly different, so we are going to look at them individually.
And it is that despite the many criticisms that this very important element in Windows receives, on many occasions it can be of enormous help. We just have to know the Windows start menu a little more in depth in order to take advantage of the functions that it offers us by default, as is the case at hand.
In Windows 10
To create a shortcut to different elements of Windows 10, all we have to do is find the application that we want to link in the start menu and, once located, click on it and drag it from the beginning to the desk. As we will see, an option called “link” will appear.
When you release the mouse, the link to the application will automatically appear.
In Windows 11
If we have Windows 11 and we want to create a shortcut to a Start menu item, the first thing to do is open it by pressing the Windows key on our keyboard or the Start button on the taskbar. Later, we press the All applications key, and here we must find the application we are looking for.
Next, we click on the application, but without releasing it. We hold down the mouse button and drag it to the desktop. As soon as the text link appears next to the cursor with the “Link” sign, we can drop the application anywhere on your desktop to create a shortcut automatically.
Create a shortcut to a website
Most of the time we spend sitting in front of the computer we do surfing the Internet. Either from Google Chrome or from Firefox, it is possible to create shortcuts to our favorite web pages. In this way, with a double click we will be able to access them directly.
In the case of Google Chrome, the fastest and easiest way to create a shortcut to a web page is click on the lock icon that appears in the URL and drag it to the desktop or wherever we want to create the shortcut to the web.
With Firefox, the process is exactly the same. Once the web is loaded, we click on the padlock icon in the address bar and drag it to the desktop to create the direct access to the web.
Send to > Desktop
If there is a tremendously popular and widely used office suite, it is Microsoft Office, so it is likely that we may be interested in creating shortcuts to the files or documents that we use most frequently.
To do this, from Windows Explorer we look for the document or file for which we want to create a shortcut. Right-click on the document name and then selects “Send to…” and then click on “Desktop (create shortcut)”.
Using the context menu on an executable file
The contextual menu is the one that appears when we right-click on a place like the desktop, in File Explorer, when we click on a file, etc. Its design changes a bit depending on whether we use Windows or Windows 11, since in the latter it will automatically hide the added options of third-party programs to make it more compact.
Through this contextual menu we will be able to make a direct access to an executable file of any program, for example, those that end in .exe format. To do this, we simply have to open File Explorer by pressing the Windows + E keyboard shortcut and look for the folder that contains the program that we want to use to create the shortcut.
Once the executable file of the program is found, we right-click on it, and within the drop-down menu we choose the Create shortcut option. In the case of Windows, as this menu is a little different, it will be necessary to first click on the Show more options section and then on Create Shortcut.
Once this is done, the system will show us a warning window informing us that Windows cannot create a shortcut within the same folder, as it is something that makes no sense. So instead, It asks us if we want to place the shortcut icon on the desk, a much more appropriate and accessible place to place it. Therefore, click on Yes and instantly we will have the shortcut created on the desktop to quickly access the program.
Hidden commands to create a shortcut
The above methods are primarily intended for users to create shortcuts or shortcuts to their favorite programs, files, or folders. But what about the functions of the operating system?
Windows we also have the possibility of creating direct access through a series of hidden commands. To do this, all you have to do is right-click on the desktop and select “Shortcut”. Now, we must put the command inside the location section in the shortcut wizard. In this way, a shortcut will be created with which we can access any function directly.
Some of the most interesting shortcuts that we can add are:
Shortcut to the recycle bin:
explorer.exe shell:::{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}
Direct access to network connections:
explorer.exe shell:::{7007ACC7-3202-11D1-AAD2-00805FC1270E}
Direct access to control panel:
explorer.exe shell:::{26EE0668-A00A-44D7-9371-BEB064C98683}
Direct access to all tasks:
explorer.exe shell:::{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}
Direct access to administrative tools:
explorer.exe shell:::{D20EA4E1-3957-11d2-A40B-0C5020524153}
Direct access to advanced user account options:
explorer.exe…
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