{"id":21542,"date":"2025-10-13T07:49:50","date_gmt":"2025-10-13T07:49:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/?p=21542"},"modified":"2025-10-13T08:02:33","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T08:02:33","slug":"how-to-make-shortcut-on-desktop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/how-to-make-shortcut-on-desktop\/","title":{"rendered":"Simplify Your Workflow: Create Desktop Shortcuts Like a Pro"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ever find yourself scrolling endlessly through folders just to open the same file or app every day? Learning how to make shortcut on desktop<\/strong> can save you time, improve productivity, and make your workflow more efficient.<\/p>\n

Desktop shortcuts act as quick-access icons that link directly to programs, folders, websites, or documents. For IT managers, cybersecurity professionals, and busy business leaders, knowing how to create these shortcuts ensures smoother navigation and smarter device management \u2014 especially in multi-device or remote setups.<\/p>\n

In this comprehensive post, you\u2019ll learn multiple ways to create desktop shortcuts on both Windows and Mac<\/strong>, including apps, folders, files, and web pages.<\/p>\n

\n

Why Desktop Shortcuts Matter<\/h2>\n

Before we dive into how to make shortcut on desktop<\/strong>, it\u2019s important to understand their role in improving productivity and security.<\/p>\n

Key Benefits:<\/h3>\n
    \n
  • \n

    Quick Access:<\/strong> Open your most-used tools or folders instantly.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Better Organization:<\/strong> Keep your workspace clean and structured.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Reduced Search Time:<\/strong> Avoid wasting minutes navigating through long directory paths.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Improved Security:<\/strong> Create shortcuts to secure folders instead of leaving sensitive files visible.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    \n

    According to Microsoft productivity studies, employees waste an average of 15 minutes per day<\/strong> searching for digital assets \u2014 shortcuts minimize that inefficiency significantly.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    \n

    How to Make Shortcut on Desktop in Windows<\/h2>\n

    Creating shortcuts in Windows 10 or Windows 11<\/strong> is simple. Here are the most common methods to add desktop shortcuts for applications, files, or websites.<\/p>\n

    \n

    1. Create a Shortcut for an App or Program<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Steps:<\/h4>\n
      \n
    1. \n

      Click Start Menu<\/strong> and find the app you want to create a shortcut for.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    2. \n

      Drag the app from the Start Menu<\/strong> to your desktop.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    3. \n

      A shortcut icon appears automatically.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Alternatively:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • \n

        Right-click on your desktop \u2192 New \u2192 Shortcut<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Click Browse<\/strong> \u2192 Find your program\u2019s .exe file.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Click Next<\/strong>, then Finish<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        \n

        Pro Tip:<\/strong> Rename the shortcut to something short and descriptive for easier identification.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

        \n

        2. Create a Shortcut for a File or Folder<\/strong><\/h3>\n

        Steps:<\/h4>\n
          \n
        1. \n

          Open File Explorer<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        2. \n

          Locate the file or folder you want to shortcut.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        3. \n

          Right-click \u2192 Send to \u2192 Desktop (create shortcut)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Now, the shortcut will appear instantly on your desktop.<\/p>\n

          \n

          Example:<\/strong> Create a shortcut for your \u201cReports\u201d folder to open it quickly instead of navigating through multiple directories.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

          \n

          3. Create a Shortcut for a Website (Using a Browser)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

          If you frequently visit a particular website \u2014 like your company dashboard, cybersecurity portal, or cloud console \u2014 you can create a shortcut that opens it directly.<\/p>\n

          In Google Chrome:<\/h4>\n
            \n
          1. \n

            Visit the website.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

          2. \n

            Click the three-dot menu \u2192 More Tools \u2192 Create Shortcut<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

          3. \n

            Enter a name and click Create<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

          4. \n

            The shortcut will appear on your desktop, ready to open in Chrome.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            In Microsoft Edge:<\/h4>\n
              \n
            1. \n

              Open the site.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

            2. \n

              Click Settings and More (\u22ef)<\/strong> \u2192 More Tools \u2192 Pin to taskbar or desktop<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              \n

              Security Tip:<\/strong> When creating shortcuts to sensitive dashboards or apps, enable two-factor authentication for safe access.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

              \n

              4. Keyboard Shortcut to Create Desktop Shortcut<\/strong><\/h3>\n

              If you prefer speed, here\u2019s a quicker method:<\/p>\n

                \n
              1. \n

                Select the app, file, or folder in File Explorer.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

              2. \n

                Press Alt + Drag<\/strong> it to your desktop.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

              3. \n

                This automatically creates a shortcut without using the context menu.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                This method is efficient for IT professionals managing multiple files across systems.<\/p>\n

                \n

                5. Create Custom Shortcuts Using Command Line (For Advanced Users)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                If you\u2019re an IT manager or system admin, you can create shortcuts using the Command Prompt (CMD)<\/strong> or PowerShell<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

                Example Command (CMD):<\/h4>\n
                \n
                \n
                \n
                <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
                mklink shortcut_name.lnk \"C:\\Program Files\\AppName\\app.exe\"
                \n<\/code><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

                Example Command (PowerShell):<\/h4>\n
                \n
                \n
                \n
                <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
                $WshShell = New-Object -ComObject WScript.Shell
                \n$Shortcut = $WshShell.CreateShortcut(\"$env:USERPROFILE\\Desktop\\AppName.lnk\")
                \n$Shortcut.TargetPath = \"C:\\Program Files\\AppName\\app.exe\"
                \n$Shortcut.Save()
                \n<\/code><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
                \n

                This method is ideal for automation or enterprise-level deployment of shortcuts across employee systems.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

                \n

                How to Make Shortcut on Desktop in macOS<\/h2>\n

                Mac users can also create shortcuts (called aliases<\/strong>) for easy access to files, folders, or apps.<\/p>\n

                \n

                1. Create a Shortcut (Alias) for Files or Folders<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                Steps:<\/h4>\n
                  \n
                1. \n

                  Open Finder<\/strong> and locate the item.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                2. \n

                  Right-click the file or folder \u2192 Select Make Alias<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                3. \n

                  Drag the alias to your Desktop<\/strong> or preferred location.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                  \n

                  Tip:<\/strong> You can rename the alias to keep your desktop tidy and readable.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

                  \n

                  2. Create a Shortcut to an Application<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                  Steps:<\/h4>\n
                    \n
                  1. \n

                    Open the Applications<\/strong> folder.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                  2. \n

                    Right-click the app \u2192 Make Alias<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                  3. \n

                    Move the alias to your desktop.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                    This is particularly useful for tools like Terminal<\/strong>, Safari<\/strong>, or Microsoft Teams<\/strong>, which you may need quick access to.<\/p>\n

                    \n

                    3. Create a Shortcut to a Website (Using Safari or Chrome)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                    In Safari:<\/h4>\n
                      \n
                    1. \n

                      Open the website.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                    2. \n

                      Resize the window so you can see the desktop.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                    3. \n

                      Drag the URL from the address bar to your desktop.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                      In Chrome:<\/h4>\n
                        \n
                      1. \n

                        Visit the site.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                      2. \n

                        Click the three dots \u2192 More Tools \u2192 Create Shortcut<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                      3. \n

                        It will appear on your Mac\u2019s desktop.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                        \n

                        Bonus:<\/strong> Add website shortcuts for cloud management platforms, internal dashboards, or secure portals to streamline your workflow.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

                        \n

                        Organizing and Managing Desktop Shortcuts<\/h2>\n

                        Creating shortcuts is only the first step. Keeping them organized helps you maintain a professional, distraction-free workspace.<\/p>\n

                        Best Practices for Shortcut Management:<\/strong><\/h3>\n