This topic may sound very basic to some users, but this is a helpful topic for a new Windows user. When you add desktop shortcuts in Windows 11, it allows you to; quickly access any important files and applications you use frequently.
Shortcuts are little icons; that you can put on your desktop to eliminate the need for searching for an application in the Windows search and opening them again and again or digging through folders on the computer to launch an app. Here is a guide on; how to create a desktop shortcut in Windows 11.
How to Create a Desktop Shortcut in Windows 11
There are many ways to create a desktop shortcut in Windows 11. Here we are going to discuss four methods to create a desktop shortcut. If you are looking for a guide on; how to add Desktop Icons like This PC, Recycle Bin, and Control Panel, then follow the linked guide.
Here we will only discuss creating a desktop shortcut for files and applications. To do so, follow the following methods:
1. Create Shortcut using Drag and Drop
If you want to create a desktop shortcut for the application you use frequently, you can use the drag and drop feature. For that, follow the below steps:
Step 1: Click on the window icon on the taskbar to open the Start menu. Then, click on the “All apps” button at the top right corner of the Start menu to get the list of applications installed on Windows 11.
Step 2: Now, look for the app you want to create a desktop shortcut for, then click on the app and drag it onto the desktop.
After that, the application shortcut will appear on the desktop. Now, you can use it to open the app.
2. Create Shortcut using Start Menu Folder
When you install the third-party application from any external source; other than the Windows Store, the app gets added to the Windows Start Menu folder. With these shortcuts, you can create desktop shortcuts. For that, follow these steps:
Step 1: Click on the window icon on the taskbar to open the Start menu. Then, search for that app you want to create a desktop shortcut.
Step 2: Now, right-click on the app and click on the “Open folder location” option from the context menu.
Step 3: It will open the application installation folder. Look for the app shortcut; right-click on it to open the context menu and click on “Show more option.”
Step 4: After that, hover your mouse to the “Sent to” option and select the “Desktop(Create Shortcut)” option to create a desktop shortcut.
After that, the application shortcut will appear on the desktop. Now, you can use it to open the app.
3. Create a Shortcut using the File Explorer
Sometimes when you install the third-party application from any external source other than the Windows Store, the app doesn’t get added to the Windows Start Menu folder. In this situation, you can navigate the location where you have installed the application. To do so, follow the below steps to create a desktop shortcut:
Step 1: Open the “File Explorer” and navigate the location where you have installed the application.
Step 2: Now, right-click on the app to open the context menu and click on the “Show more option.”
Step 3: After that, hover your mouse to the “Sent to” option and select the “Desktop(Create Shortcut)” option to create a desktop shortcut.
Note:- You can also use this method to create a desktop shortcut for files, folders, images, videos, and more.
4. Create a Shortcut from Desktop
You can also create a desktop shortcut; from the desktop itself. For that, follow the following steps:
Step 1: Right-click on an empty area on the desktop windows, hover your mouse towards “New” or click on it from the context menu and then click on “Shortcut” from the drop-down menu.
Step 2: Now, click the “Browse” button to browse the item location you would like to create a desktop shortcut. After that, select the item, and click on “OK.”
Step 3: After that, click on “Next” to continue. Now, name the shortcut and click on “Finish.”
Conclusion
That’s it; this is how you can create a desktop shortcut in Windows 11. Now, if you want to create a new folder on Windows 11, to do so, you can follow the linked guide. I hope this guide was helpful to you.
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