Reference number: CH000739

How do I create a Windows shortcut?

Question:

How do I create a Windows shortcut?

Answer:

To create a shortcut in Microsoft Windows, follow one of the below steps.

Create a shortcut within the folder the program resides

One of the easiest methods of creating a shortcut is to create the shortcut in the folder that the program resides and then copy and paste or move that shortcut to where you want it. To do this, follow the below steps.

1. Open the folder or directory that contains the program you wish to create a shortcut for.
2. Right-click on the program and click Create Shortcut.
3. This will create a shortcut named "Shortcut to <your program>" in the directory you are in. If you wish to rename this shortcut, right-click the file and click rename.
4. Once the above steps have been completed, you can copy or cut this shortcut and paste it anywhere to execute this program.

Create a shortcut using Microsoft's wizard

Move to the location or folder you wish to create the shortcut, right-click on an empty location of the folder or screen and click New and then Shortcut or Create Shortcut.

or

In Windows Explorer, click File, New, and then Shortcut. Once in the shortcut wizard window, you will be able to browse to the location of the file you wish to create the shortcut to create the shortcut.

Additional information:

• See our shortcut dictionary definition for additional information about this term.
• Additional information about creating a shortcut key for your Windows shortcuts can be found on document CH001130.