Shortcuts put your favorite apps, files, folders, and websites one double-click away. Windows 11 changed a few things from Windows 10 (the right-click menu is shorter, and the Start menu works differently), but creating shortcuts is still quick once you know where the options went. This guide covers desktop shortcuts for apps, files, folders, and websites, plus keyboard shortcuts and pinning.
Quick Answer
Right-click an empty area of the desktop and choose New > Shortcut. Browse to (or type) the location of the app, file, folder, or web address, click Next, name the shortcut, and click Finish.
Method 1: New > Shortcut (Anything)
- Right-click an empty area of the desktop.
- Choose New > Shortcut.
- Click Browse to find the item, or type its path (for example, C:\Users\YourName\Documents) or a web address.
- Click Next, type a name, and click Finish.
Method 2: Drag an App From the Start Menu
- Open Start and click All (or All apps).
- Drag the app onto the desktop. A Link label appears; release to create the shortcut.
Alternatively, right-click the app in All apps and choose More > Open file location, then right-click the item there and choose Show more options > Send to > Desktop (create shortcut).
Method 3: Files and Folders
- Right-click the file or folder, choose Show more options (or press Shift + F10), then Send to > Desktop (create shortcut).
- Or hold Alt while dragging the item to the desktop.
Method 4: Website Shortcuts
- Any browser: Drag the lock icon from the address bar to the desktop.
- Edge: Open the site, click the three dots, and choose More tools > Pin to taskbar or install it as an app (Apps > Install this site as an app).
- Chrome: Three dots > Cast, save, and share > Create shortcut.
Add a Keyboard Shortcut to Open It
- Right-click the desktop shortcut and choose Properties.
- Click in Shortcut key and press a letter. Windows adds Ctrl + Alt (for example, Ctrl + Alt + B).
- Click OK.
Keyboard shortcuts work for shortcuts on the desktop or in the Start menu folders.
Pin Instead of (or as Well as) a Desktop Shortcut
- Taskbar: Right-click an app in Start and choose Pin to taskbar.
- Start menu: Right-click an app, file, or folder and choose Pin to Start.
- Quick access in File Explorer: Right-click a folder and choose Pin to Quick access.
Change the Icon or Remove the Arrow
- Right-click the shortcut, choose Properties > Change Icon, and pick an icon.
- Deleting a shortcut doesn’t delete the original file or app.
Troubleshooting
- No New > Shortcut option: Right-click an empty part of the desktop, not an icon, and make sure desktop icons are shown (View > Show desktop icons).
- Shortcut opens the wrong thing or nothing: The original moved or was deleted. Right-click the shortcut, choose Properties, and fix the Target.
- Can't drag apps from Start: Update Windows 11; older builds didn't support dragging from All apps. Use the Open file location method.
Summary
- Right-click the desktop and choose New > Shortcut.
- Drag apps from Start > All to the desktop.
- Use Show more options > Send to > Desktop for files and folders.
- Add a Shortcut key in Properties for keyboard access.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.