Windows 98

Adding Shortcuts

Introduction

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

  • Add shortcuts

Shortcuts

A shortcut offers a way of performing a task more quickly, such as starting a program or accessing a document. The shortcut icon has a small arrow in the left corner to help you distinguish it from the actual icon that represents programs and files.

Things to Do Shortcut Icon Shortcut for Things To Do List

The icon above is a desktop shortcut for the Things to Do document, which is actually stored in this particular user's My Documents folder.

Adding a shortcut

In this lesson, you will learn three ways to create a shortcut . Choose the one that works best for you.

To add a shortcut to the desktop using Windows Explorer:

  • In the right pane of Windows Explorer , click the file, program, or folder for which you want to make a shortcut. The item darkens when you select it.
  • Choose File action Create Shortcut .


Create Shortcut Selected on File Menu

  • Hover the mouse pointer over the shortcut icon , hold down the left mouse button, and drag the shortcut onto desktop (in the left pane).
  • The word Desktop will darken when you drag the icon over it.
  • Release the left mouse button, and a shortcut is moved to the desktop.

Dragging Icon to Create Shortcut

Adding a shortcut using the keyboard, mouse, and Windows Explorer

Pointing and dragging with your mouse is one way to add a shortcut. You can also use your keyboard and drag an icon to create a shortcut in Windows Explorer .

To add a shortcut using your keyboard and mouse:

  • Press Ctrl+Shift while dragging the file.
  • When you have dragged it onto the desktop (in the left pane), release it and choose Create Shortcut(s) Here .

Create Shortcut Here Selected on Pop-Up Menu

Right-clicking to add a shortcut

One shortcut creation method works in both My Computer and Windows Explorer . This method requires you to right-click .

To add a shortcut by right-clicking:

  • In either My Computer or Windows Explorer , right-click the file or folder for which you want to make a desktop shortcut.
  • A pop-up menu appears.
  • Choose Send To action Desktop (create shortcut) .

Send to Desktop Selected on Pop-Up Menu

Challenge!

  • Add a shortcut for your Shopping List to your desktop. First, double-click the My Documents icon.
  • When the folder opens, make sure it is not maximized .
  • Hover the mouse button over the Shopping List , and hold down the right mouse button.
  • Drag the Shopping List icon to your desktop .
  • Choose Create Shortcut Here when the pop-up menu appears.