Desktop shortcuts provide quick and easy access to documents or programs without having to go to the All Programs menu. You can create shortcuts to frequently used documents, files, folders, and programs. The shortcuts look like the original files, but have a small arrow in the left corner of the shortcut image. If you are not using any shortcuts, you can easily remove them. In this case, the files themselves, to which the shortcuts refer, will remain.
Instructions
Step 1
Create shortcuts on disks
Working on a computer can save time. by creating shortcuts on the Desktop for each drive on your computer or just for frequently used ones. From the Start menu, double-click on the My Computer icon to see the drives on your computer. Right-click the Local Disk icon (C:) and, while holding down the mouse button, drag it to an empty space on the Desktop. Release the mouse button and select Create shortcuts from the context menu. The default name for the icon is Shortcut to Local Disk (C). To change the name of a shortcut, right-click on it and select Rename. Now you can open drive C by double-clicking the left mouse button on the shortcut. A window will open with the contents of the C drive.
Step 2
Create shortcuts to files and folders
You may have specific files and folders that you use regularly. By placing shortcuts on the Desktop, you can significantly save time searching for documents. Open My Computer and double-click on the C icon, locate the file or folder for which you want to create a shortcut. Hold the icon with the right mouse button, move it to the Desktop and select Create shortcuts from the menu. The icon will now be placed on the Desktop with the name "Shortcut to …".
Step 3
Change the image for a shortcut
Windows offers a wide variety of icon images that allow you to customize their appearance. This can help you identify files or folders faster. To change the shortcut picture, right-click on the icon. Select Properties from the menu. Go to the Shortcut tab and click Change Icon. A window will open in which a gallery of icons will appear. Choose any icon you like. Click OK and the selected icon will replace the old shortcut icon.
Step 4
Create keyboard shortcuts
To save more time, you can customize keyboard shortcuts to open frequently used shortcuts. Right click on the shortcut and choose Properties from the menu. In the window that opens, select the Shortcut tab. Go to the Shortcut field and, while holding down the Ctrl or Alt key, press any letter on the keyboard, for example F. The key combination will appear in the field: Ctrl + alt="Image" + F. Then click OK. Your keyboard shortcut is ready to use.
