Shortcut - Create for a File, Folder, Drive, or Program in Windows

How to Create a Shortcut of a File, Folder, Drive, or Program in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8​

   Information

A shortcut is a link to an item (such as a file, folder, drive, or program) on your computer. You can create shortcuts and then place them in a convenient location so that you can easily access the item that the shortcut links to. Shortcuts can be distinguished from the original file by the arrow that appears on the icon.

This tutorial will show you different ways on how to create a shortcut of a file, folder, drive, or program in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.

   Tip

After you create the shortcut:

In Vista or Windows 7, you could Pin to Taskbar or Pin to Start Menu, add to Quick Launch, assign a keyboard shortcut to it, or move the shortcut to where you like for easy use.

In Windows 8 and 8.1, you could Pin to Taskbar on desktop, Pin to Start screen, add to Quick Launch, assign a keyboard shortcut to it, or move the shortcut to where you like for easy use.

EXAMPLE: File and Shortcut of File

OPTION ONE

Create Shortcut from Windows Explorer Address Bar

1. Open Windows Explorer (Vista or Windows 7) or File Explorer (Windows 8), and navigate to and open the folder or drive that you want to create a shortcut of.

2. Drag the small folder or drive icon at the far left side of the address bar to a location (ex: desktop) that you want to create a shortcut of the folder at, then drop and release to create it. (see screenshot below)

OPTION TWO

Create Shortcut using "Send To" Context Menu Item

1. Select (highlight) one or more file(s), folder(s), or program(s) (exe file) that you want to create a shortcut of, right click or press and hold on them, then click/tap on Send To and Desktop (create shortcut). (see screenshot below)

2. You can now move the shortcut(s) to where you like for ease of use.

OPTION THREE

Create Shortcut using "Create Shortcut" Context Menu Item

1. Select (highlight) one or more file(s), folder(s), or program(s) (exe file) that you want to create a shortcut of, right click or press and hold on them, then click on Create shortcut. (see screenshot below)

2. If prompted, click/tap on Yes. (see screenshot below)

3. You can now move the shortcut(s) to where you like for ease of use.

OPTION FOUR

Create Shortcut using "New -> Shortcut" Context Menu Item

1. Right click on a empty space on the desktop or Windows Explorer (not in navigation pane or preview pane), then click/tap on New and Shortcut. (see screenshot below)

2. Click/tap on the Browse button. (see screenshot below)

3. Navigate to and select the file, folder, drive, or program (exe file) that you want to create a shortcut of, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

4. Click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

5. Type in a name you would like the shortcut to have, and click/tap on Finish. (see screenshot below)

6. You can now move the shortcut to where you like for ease of use.

OPTION FIVE

Create Shortcut using "Paste shortcut" Context Menu Item

1. Select (highlight) one or more file(s), folder(s), drive(s), or program(s) (exe file) that you want to create a shortcut of, right click or press and hold on them, then click/tap on Copy. (see screenshot below)

2. Go to where (ex: desktop, in a folder, library etc...) that you would like to create a shortcut of the selected file(s), folder(s), drive(s), or program(s), right click or press and hold on an empty area, then click/tap on Paste shortcut.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Add or Delete Start Menu All Programs Shortcuts in Windows 7
• Add or Remove "Favorites" Links in Navigation Pane of Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Create a Internet Website Shortcut in Windows
• How to Change the Icon of a Shortcut in Windows 7
• How to Change, Remove, or Restore the Shortcut Arrow Overlay Icon in Windows
• How to Remove or Restore the "Shortcut" Name Extension in Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Hide a Folder or Shortcut Icon in Vista and Windows 7
• How to Pin or Unpin a Program to the Windows 7 Taskbar
• How to Pin or Unpin a Folder to the Windows 7 Taskbar
• Always Open Shortcut Minimized, Maximized, or Normally in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8
• How to Change Default Open To Target of File Explorer Pinned to Taskbar in Windows 8.1
• How to Create Shortcut with Relative Path

 

[JaidynM]

Another great tutorial, Shawn. I'm just suprised we didn't already have a tutorial for this...

 

[Brink]

Thank you Jaidyn.

It's something that most folks already know, but I thought it would be good for beginners or just reference.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Shawn I have had a look through the different tutorials but I cannot see one that I can use to pin a particular document to the taskbar.

I can send it to the desktop but there it stays - I cannot drag drop to taskbar and it is one I use all the time and it would be so handy to just click on it and not have to open Word every time I need this document.

I have like I said played around with the desktop icon though Properties etc but no go

 

[Brink]

Hello John,

You could create a shortcut using the target location below for the document that would allow you to pin and use it where you like.

explorer "full path of document file in quotes"

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Ok mate I will try that at the moment the beasty is working only I have to keep a shortcut on the desktop - no that it is in the way there but it would be nice on the taskbar all the same.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hmm I just get another shortcut added to the list??

 

[Brink]

Odd, when using the shortcut below, you should be able to right click on it, and click on "Pin to taskbar" to have it pinned as a separate icon.

explorer "full path of document file in quotes"

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Odd, when using the shortcut below, you should be able to right click on it, and click on "Pin to taskbar" to have it pinned as a separate icon.

explorer "full path of document file in quotes"

Sorry Shawn have lost the plot here I go to computer > User> that doc and just make the shortcut I am not sure of what exactly you are describing to me here

 

[Brink]

No worries mate.

You would right click on the desktop to start to create a new shortcut as usual, then use that in the location field.

You would get the full path of the document by pressing and holding Shift, right click on document file, release Shift, and click on Copy as path. This shortcut will have a "Pin to taskbar" option.

explorer "full path of document file in quotes"

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Nope it won't work for me Shawn I get the window and the doc but it ends as in the pics the last one doesn't give me an option for taskbar it just adds it to the desktop.
Never mind I can open it with CTRL+ALT +A

 

[Brink]

Almost there John.

You would need to put the location you have in your screenshot in quotes, then put explorer in from of it with a space between it. This is what you would need to enter for the location instead.

explorer "C:\Users\John\Documents\AAXXSITEREFS.doc"

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Almost there John.

You would need to put the location you have in your screenshot in quotes, then put explorer in from of it with a space between it. This is what you would need to enter for the location instead.

explorer "C:\Users\John\Documents\AAXXSITEREFS.doc"

Thanks Shawn I knew the legend would get me there took some working out it was the space between the explorer and the quotes that had me foxed

 

[Brink]

Perfect. You're most welcome mate.