Methods for Creating Desktop Shortcuts in Windows 11

Adding your frequently used apps and folders to the desktop can provide a lot of convenience. Desktop shortcuts allow you to quickly access your favorite apps and programs without having to navigate through cumbersome directories.

As a result, Windows 11 provides several methods for creating desktop shortcuts. In this post, we'll go over all of those methods and more. So, let's get this party started.

Methods for Creating Desktop Shortcuts in Windows 11

Adding your frequently used apps and folders to the desktop can provide a lot of convenience. Desktop shortcuts allow you to quickly access your favorite apps and programs without having to navigate through cumbersome directories.

As a result, Windows 11 provides several methods for creating desktop shortcuts. In this post, we'll go over all of those methods and more. So, let's get this party started.

1. DRAG AND DROP FROM START MENU

 The most straightforward way to add an app as a desktop shortcut is to drag and drop it from the Start menu. This is how you do it.

Step 1: Click All apps in the top right corner of the Start menu.

Step 2: Locate the app you want to add as a desktop shortcut by scrolling down. Drag and drop the app onto your computer's desktop.

2. USE APPLICATIONS FOLDER

When you start creating shortcuts from the Start menu, you'll notice that some of your Windows apps and programmes are missing from the list. On Windows, you must place missing apps and programmes in the Application folder. This is how.

Step 1: Press Windows key + S to open Window Search, type in cmd, and press Enter.

Step 2: Type in the command given below and press Enter.

"explorer shell:AppsFolder"

Step 3: In the Applications window that appears, right-click on the app and select Create shortcut from the menu.

3. USE CONTEXT MENU

The context menu is another method for creating desktop shortcuts. It not only allows you to create shortcuts for apps, but also for files and folders.

Step 1: To open File Explorer in Windows, press the Windows key + E. Navigate to the file, folder, or programme that you want to add to your desktop. Select Show more options from the context menu by right-clicking on it.

Step 2: In the context menu, expand Send to, and select the Desktop (create shortcut) option.

And that’s about it. Windows will add your file, folder, or program as a shortcut on the desktop.

4. SHORTCUT WIZARD

The Shortcut Wizard allows you to create an app shortcut directly from the desktop. Aside from apps and folders, the Shortcut Wizard can also be used to create a desktop shortcut for a website. This is how.

Step 1: Right-click anywhere on the empty space on the desktop, go to New, and select Shortcut.

Step 2: Click the Browse button in the Shortcut wizard to locate the file, folder, or app shortcut you want to add as a desktop shortcut.

Alternatively, you can enter a website URL in the box to create a website shortcut.

Step 3: Click the Next button.

Step 4: Enter a suitable name for the shortcut and press Finish.

Windows will create a desktop shortcut for the selected file, folder, or app.

5. APPLY REGISTRY EDITOR

Aside from the methods described above, you can create desktop shortcuts for various apps and folders by using Windows' Registry Editor.

It is critical to understand that the Registry Editor contains critical settings for Windows and its applications. As a result, you should only use this method if you are already familiar with Registry Editor and have a backup of your registry files.

Step 1: Open File Explorer on Windows and navigate to the app, file, or folder you wish to add as a shortcut. Right-click on it and select Copy as path.

Step 2: Next, press Windows key + R to launch the Run command, type in regedit, and press Enter.

Step 3: In the Registry Editor window, use the left column and drill down to the following key:

"Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell"

Step 4: Right-click on the Shell folder, go to New and select Key. Enter a suitable name for it.

Step 5: Right-click on the newly created key, go to New and select Key. Name it Command.

Step 6: Choose the Command key. Then, on the right, double-click Default and paste the file path copied in Step 1 into the Value data field. To confirm, press OK.

That's all. You'll be able to access the shortcut from the desktop's context menu.

BONUS:ON WINDOWS 11, USE A KEYBOARD SHORTCUT TO OPEN AN APP OR A FOLDER.

Once you've created a desktop shortcut using one of the methods described above, you can easily associate it with a keyboard shortcut. You can now access your file, folder, or app directly from your keyboard.

Step 1: Right-click on a desktop shortcut and select Properties.

Step 2: Navigate to Shortcut key and press the keyboard combination you want to use. Then click Apply, then OK.

IN ORDER TO EASILY ACCESS

While Windows 11 includes Quick Access and Startup programmes, making desktop shortcuts is far more convenient. You can use any of the methods you want to create shortcuts.