One of the best and simplest ways to organize your desktop from a computer, is to remove from it the heap of files that we use daily. But these should be placed in a place where they can be seen clearly to increase the ease of finding them.
It must also exist a quick way to access them just by turning on the computer, but this requires that the directory in which they are stored is not too difficult to find.
This is where the shortcuts for Windows. To explain a bit, we have prepared this simple post where we will detail you how to create them and how to use them properly.
What programs and tools can I create a shortcut to on the desktop?
A shortcut is a icon that can be placed on our desk or in any destination of the computer, in order to access a file, program, or folder from another location. For example, if there is a program that is hosted on the local disk, specifically in the folder of “Program archive”, which is where the installed programs are stored. A shortcut to this program would allow us to open it from the desktop without having to go through the path.
This works with any application that is installed on the computer, but it can also be used to access different folders from another location. For example, to a folder that is saved in the file explorer, to be more specific, it can be the folder of “Downloads”, which is usually very visited.
It is also possible to create shortcuts to files, which may well be images, videos, films and documents. But this is not really recommended, as it is much more convenient to simply move said file to the location from where you want to access frequently.
What are the benefits of creating shortcuts for the tools I use the most?
A person who knows how make good use of shortcuts you can enjoy various benefits when working on your computer.
Some features are as follows:
Time saving
The user can access programs that are in deep directories from the disk from the same desktop. Which translates into being able to open work files and folders much faster when turning on the computer.
Desktop space optimization
Using the folder shortcuts, the user can leave only the accesses to those folders that they actually use on the desktop. Thus freeing up space for use and improving the aesthetics of your computer.
Productivity
By having only the tools and files used to work on the desktop, the user you are at less risk of being distracted by some other computer activity. Which can be translated into a better quality of work time.
Steps to create a shortcut on Windows 7, 8 or 10 desktops
In order to better organize our folders, we are going to know how to create the shortcuts in the different versions of the Windows operating system.
Let’s see below the steps to follow:
In W10
There are two ways to create a shortcut in Windows 10. The first of them we can apply in a general way by locating ourselves in the exact place where we want the access to be created. To make a practical example of a folder that is used a lot, in this case “Downloads”, we can place ourselves on the desk.
Then follow these steps:
- We press the right mouse button anywhere in the center of the screen.
- Then we place the mouse cursor over the option “New” and then we choose the option “Direct access”.
- In the new pop-up window, we must first click on the button “Examine”.
- Successively we choose the folder where we want to create the shortcut and click on “To accept”.
- We will notice that the destination appears written in a data field, and if the user knows the address, he can also modify it from there.
- In the next step we will notice that a name for the new file must be chosen, once assigned we click on “Finalize”.
The second way to create a shortcut it is directly with the program, folder or file to link.
To do this, follow the following steps:
- Once the file that is going to be linked with the shortcut is located, press right click on it.
- In the drop-down menu it is important to choose the option “Create Shortcut”.
- Finally it should be concluded with drag the new icon created to the point from where you want to access, it can be on the desktop for convenience.
In W8
Since version 8 of this system has many similarities with Windows 10 and with the essence of the predecessor Windows 7, any of the methods used in the other two versions they are valid.
In W7
In Windows 7 too the traditional method explained in Windows 10 works, but for more detail we will explain it with this version.
Let’s see:
- First we must right click anywhere on the screen,
- Then we must go to the section “New” and choose where it says “Direct access”.
- Then you must choose the destination using the button “Examine”.
- Finally, comes the assignment of the name of the icon and then click on “Finalize”.
It should be noted that there is also a method that can be much simpler, and can even be done in a single step in some cases:
- First you must click on the button “Start” and locate in the list of “All the programs” the one with which we want to link to a shortcut.
- This program must be clicked and dragged with the mouse to the destination folder or to the desktop. Just when the phrase is observed “Create link” on the desired site, the click must be released. This will immediately create the shortcut for that file.
