What is a shortcut and how do I create a shortcut in the Microsoft Windows operating system?

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Creating a Shortcut to a Program or File
 

To create a shortcut on the Desktop to a program or file, there are two possible methods to choose from.

Method 1

1. Right-click an open area on the Desktop, point to New, and then click Shortcut.

    

2. Click Browse.

    

3. Locate the program or file to which you want to create a shortcut, click the program or file, click Open, and then click Next.

    

4. Type a name for the shortcut.
   
   If a Finish button appears at the bottom of the dialog box, click it.
   
   If a Next button appears at the bottom of the dialog box, click it, click the icon you want to use for the shortcut, and then click Finish.

    

Method 2

1. Click the Start button, point to Programs, and then right-click the program you want to create the shortcut to.

    

2. Left-click Create Shortcut.

    

3. The shortcut is now at the end of the Programs list. For example, if you created a shortcut to Microsoft Word, to find that program, click Start, and then point to Programs. You will find the shortcut, named "Microsoft Word (2)" (without the quotation marks), at the bottom of the Program list.

    

4. Drag the shortcut to the Desktop.

The information contained in the above document consists of excerpts from Microsoft Knowledge Base. Any content editing was done for space considerations. Where possible, the document was left in its entirety. The technical information and troubleshooting described herein are for informational purposes only. For additional information or the complete document, please go to:

http://support.microsoft.com

Creating a Shortcut to a Printer or Dial-Up Networking Connection
 

To create a shortcut on the desktop to a printer or Dial-Up Networking connection, follow these steps:

1.      To create a shortcut to a printer, click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Printers.

To create a shortcut to a Dial-Up Networking connection, click the Start button, point to Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Dial-Up Networking.

2. Right-click the printer or Dial-Up Networking connection icon, drag it to an open area on the Desktop, and then click Create Shortcut(s) Here.

The information contained in the above document consists of excerpts from Microsoft Knowledge Base. Any content editing was done for space considerations. Where possible, the document was left in its entirety. The technical information and troubleshooting described herein are for informational purposes only. For additional information or the complete document, please go to:

http://support.microsoft.com

Creating Shortcuts to Other Objects
 

To create a shortcut on the Desktop to other objects (such as a folder or computer), follow these steps:

1. Browse My Computer or Windows Explorer to locate the object(s) to which you want to create a shortcut.

    

2. Right-click the name of the object name, and then left-click Create Shortcut.

    

3. Drag the new shortcut to an open area on the Desktop.

The information contained in the above document consists of excerpts from Microsoft Knowledge Base. Any content editing was done for space considerations. Where possible, the document was left in its entirety. The technical information and troubleshooting described herein are for informational purposes only. For additional information or the complete document, please go to:

http://support.microsoft.com