What a desktop shortcut is and why you'd want one

A desktop shortcut is a small icon on your desktop that opens a program, file, or folder when you double-click it. Instead of hunting through your Applications folder or Start menu every time, the shortcut sits right where you can see it. You can create shortcuts to programs you use daily, documents you're working on, or folders you access often.

The shortcut itself is tiny — just a few kilobytes — and doesn't duplicate the actual program or file. It's just a pointer that says "when clicked, open this thing." You can delete a shortcut without affecting the real program or file it points to.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, right-click the program in the Start menu or File Explorer, select "Send to," then choose "Desktop (create shortcut)".
  • On Mac, hold Command and drag the application from the Applications folder to your desktop, then release.
  • You can rename a shortcut by right-clicking it and selecting "Rename" on Windows, or by clicking once, waiting, and clicking again on Mac.
  • Shortcuts take up almost no storage space and can be deleted without affecting the original program or file.
  • You can organize shortcuts into folders on your desktop to keep things tidy if you create many of them.

Creating a shortcut on Windows 10 and 11

The easiest way on Windows is through the Start menu. Open the Start menu, find the program you want to shortcut, right-click it, and look for "Send to" or "More." Click that, then select "Desktop (create shortcut)." The shortcut appears on your desktop immediately.

If you can't find the program in the Start menu, use File Explorer instead. Press Windows key + E to open File Explorer, navigate to the program's location (usually C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files (x86)), right-click the program's .exe file, and select "Send to" > "Desktop (create shortcut)." Again, the shortcut appears right away.

For files and folders you use often, the process is identical: right-click the file or folder in File Explorer, select "Send to," then "Desktop (create shortcut)." You now have a shortcut to that specific document or folder on your desktop.

Creating a shortcut on Mac

Mac uses a different method because it doesn't have a "Send to" option. Open Finder and go to Applications. Find the program you want to shortcut, then hold down the Command key and drag the program icon to your desktop. Release the mouse, and a shortcut (called an "alias" on Mac) appears on your desktop.

You can also create aliases for files and folders the same way: Command-drag them from Finder to your desktop. The alias shows a small arrow in the corner of the icon to indicate it's a shortcut, not the original.

If Command-drag doesn't work, try this alternative: right-click the program or file in Finder, hold down Option, and select "Make Alias." Then drag that alias to your desktop. Both methods create the same result.

Renaming and organizing your shortcuts

Shortcuts come with default names like "Program Name - Shortcut" on Windows or "Program Name alias" on Mac. You can rename them to anything you want. On Windows, right-click the shortcut, select "Rename," type the new name, and press Enter. On Mac, click the alias once, wait a moment, click again (not a double-click), type the new name, and press Enter.

If you create many shortcuts, your desktop can get crowded. Create a folder on your desktop to hold them: right-click the desktop on Windows and select "New" > "Folder," or on Mac, press Command-Shift-N. Drag your shortcuts into this folder to keep your desktop cleaner.

Changing a shortcut's icon

On Windows, you can change how a shortcut looks. Right-click it, select "Properties," click the "Shortcut" tab, then click "Change Icon." A window opens showing available icons. Pick one and click OK. The shortcut's icon changes immediately.

On Mac, you can't easily change an alias's icon the way you can on Windows. However, you can right-click the alias, select "Get Info," click the icon in the top-left corner of the window, and paste a new icon if you've copied one from another program. This is more advanced and not necessary for basic use.

Removing shortcuts you no longer need

Deleting a shortcut is safe — it removes only the shortcut, not the original program or file. Right-click the shortcut and select "Delete" on Windows, or drag it to the Trash on Mac. The original program or file remains untouched in its original location.

If you accidentally delete a shortcut you wanted, you can recreate it using the same steps above. There's no penalty for deleting and recreating shortcuts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will deleting a shortcut delete the program too?

No. A shortcut is only a pointer to the real program or file. Deleting the shortcut leaves the original program completely intact. You can safely delete any shortcut without worry.

Can I create a shortcut to a website?

Yes. Open your web browser, go to the website, then drag the address bar icon (on the left side of the URL) to your desktop. This creates a shortcut that opens that website in your default browser when clicked.

Why does my shortcut say "target not found" when I click it?

This happens when the original program or file has been moved or deleted. The shortcut points to a location that no longer exists. Delete the broken shortcut and create a new one pointing to the program's current location.

Can I put a shortcut in my taskbar or dock instead of the desktop?

Yes. On Windows, right-click a program in the Start menu and select "Pin to taskbar." On Mac, drag a program from Applications to the Dock. These are faster than desktop shortcuts if you use the program constantly.

How much space does a shortcut take up?

Almost none — typically less than 1 kilobyte. You can create hundreds of shortcuts without noticing any impact on your storage space.