Windows 10 nonetheless lets y'all create desktop shortcuts to applications, files, folders, and even websites. Desktop icons may a petty out of fashion, just they're still useful as part of a nicely organized desktop.

How to Create a Shortcut to an Application

To do this the like shooting fish in a barrel way, open Windows 10's Showtime menu. Look for the application you desire to use by scrolling through the Apps list at the left side of the card. If information technology's in the tiles list at the correct side of the card, y'all can also elevate information technology from at that place.

In one case you lot've found information technology, drag and drop the application's shortcut from your Start menu to your desktop. You'll see the word "Link" appear when you lot're hovering over the desktop. Release the mouse button to create a link to the plan, also known as a desktop shortcut.

Creating a desktop shortcut from Windows 10's Start menu

Annotation that y'all tin't search for the application by name in the Start menu. Windows 10 won't permit yous drag and drop anything from the search results. Information technology should, but information technology doesn't.

How to Create a Shortcut to a File or Folder

To create a desktop shortcut to a file, commencement, locate the file somewhere in File Explorer. Hold down the Alt cardinal on your keyboard and then drag and drop the file or binder to your desktop. The words "Create Link in Desktop" will appear. Release the mouse push button to create the link.

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

Property downwards Alt is necessary. If yous don't hold down Alt, Windows volition testify the words "Move to Desktop," and it will move 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 quickly create desktop shortcuts to websites. With a spider web folio open, drag and drop 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. Edge won't let you directly create desktop shortcuts. However, you can 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

Whatever type of shortcut you create, y'all tin can right-click it after, select "Rename," and change the proper noun to whatever you similar.

You can use all the in a higher place methods to create shortcuts in other folders, too. Want to create a shortcut to a website or awarding in your Downloads folder? Go right alee! Merely elevate and drop information technology to your desired location instead of the desktop.

If you don't come across any shortcuts on your desktop, they may exist hidden. Right-click the desktop and select View > Show Desktop Icons to unhide them.

You can also choose the size of your desktop icons from here—big, medium, or small-scale. For more size options, position your mouse cursor over the desktop, concur down the Ctrl cardinal, and curl upwards and down with your mouse wheel.

RELATED: How To Organize Your Messy Windows Desktop (And Proceed It That Manner)

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