ARCHIVED: 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 shortcut 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 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 Browse... to locate it.
4. Click Next, and 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 then drop the icon.
3. From the menu that appears, select Create Shortcut(s) Here.