In Windows, what is a shortcut, and how do I create one?

Note: This information does not apply to Windows 3.x.

In Windows, a shortcut is an icon used to represent a document, folder, or program file. You can open a file or launch an application by clicking the icon. Shortcuts are particularly useful because you can put them on your desktop or in the Start menu without having to make a copy of the actual file itself. This saves space by allowing you to keep a single copy of a large program file, while placing one or more shortcuts to the file wherever they are convenient.

To create a shortcut:

1. Right-click the location where you want the new shortcut to appear.
   
   
2. From the menu that appears, select New and then Shortcut.
   
   
3. Enter the path of the file, folder, or application for which you want to make a shortcut, or click the Browse... button to locate it.
   
   
4. Click Next, then Finish.
   
   
5. If you are prompted to select an icon, pick one from the choices displayed in the window, and then click Finish.

Alternatively, here is another way to create a shortcut:

1. Open the directory containing the file to which the shortcut will point.
   
   
2. Using the right mouse button, drag the file to where you want the shortcut and drop the icon.
   
   
3. From the menu that appears, select Create Shortcut(s) Here.

Also see:

• In Windows, what are StickyKeys, and how do I enable them?
• In Windows, how do I add an application to the Start menu?
• In Windows, when trying to execute a program, why do I receive the message "Drive or network connection that the shortcut refers to is unavailable"?