To create a shortcut on your desktop in Windows, you can use a few simple methods depending on whether it’s for an app, a file/folder, or a website.

Quick Scoop

  • You can make desktop shortcuts for programs, files, folders, drives, and websites in Windows 10 and 11.
  • The most common ways are: right‑click → New → Shortcut, drag‑and‑drop from Start, or drag the lock icon from your browser’s address bar.

Method 1: Shortcut to a program (app)

A. Drag from Start menu (Windows 10/11)

  1. Click the Start button or press the Windows key.
  1. Click All apps (if you see it) and find the app you want.
  2. Click and hold the app’s icon, then drag it onto the desktop.
  3. Release the mouse; Windows creates a shortcut automatically.

This works well for Office apps, games, or anything listed in the Start menu.

B. “Send to → Desktop (create shortcut)”

  1. Right‑click the app icon (for example, in File Explorer or its existing shortcut).
  1. Select Send to → Desktop (create shortcut).
  2. A shortcut with a small arrow appears on your desktop.

Method 2: Shortcut to a file or folder

A. Right‑click on desktop → New → Shortcut

  1. Right‑click an empty area of the desktop.
  1. Click New → Shortcut.
  2. In the location box, type or browse to the file/folder path, then click Next.
  1. Enter a name for the shortcut and click Finish.

B. Drag‑and‑drop with keys (advanced option)

  1. Open File Explorer and locate your file or folder.
  1. Right‑drag (or hold Alt/Ctrl/Shift depending on your habits) from the file to the desktop, then release and choose Create shortcut here if prompted.

Method 3: Shortcut to a website on desktop

  1. Open your browser (Edge, Chrome, Firefox) and go to the website you want.
  1. Look at the left side of the address bar for the lock icon (🔒) or site icon.
  1. Click and hold that icon, then drag it onto your desktop.
  2. Release the mouse; a desktop shortcut that opens that website in your default browser is created.

This is handy for things like email, calendar, or banking sites you use every day.

Mini table: main methods

[7][1][3] [1][3] [3][7][1] [9][5][3]
What you want Fastest method Key steps
Program / app Drag from Start menu Start → find app → drag icon to desktop.
File or folder New → Shortcut Right‑click desktop → New → Shortcut → browse file/folder → name it.
Website Drag lock icon Open site → drag lock icon from address bar to desktop.
Existing app/file icon Send to desktop Right‑click icon → Send to → Desktop (create shortcut).

Little “story” example

Imagine you always open the same report file every Monday. Instead of digging through folders each time, you: right‑click the desktop, choose New → Shortcut , browse to that report, and name the shortcut “Weekly Report”. Next Monday, you just double‑click the desktop icon and you’re in.

Forum‑style tip

“Drag from Start to desktop, then use ‘Send to → Desktop’ for files. Once you get used to it, setting up a fresh PC takes minutes instead of hours.”

TL;DR: Use Start‑menu drag for apps, New → Shortcut for files/folders, and lock‑icon drag for websites, and you’ll have quick access to almost anything right from your desktop.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.