Making a shortcut on Windows 11 isn’t exactly brain surgery, but it can be a bit tricky if you’ve never done it before. Usually, it’s a quick job, but sometimes Windows likes to throw a spanner in the works — like hiding options or being awkward with network locations or apps buried deep in system folders.
How to Make a Shortcut on Windows 11
Most of the time, it’s just a matter of right-clicking, but depending on what you’re linking to, the steps might vary a tad. Here’s the standard way, along with some tips if things don’t go quite to plan.
Method 1: Using the desktop context menu
First up, head to your desktop and right-click on an empty spot. That’s where Windows throws up those options. Looks simple enough, but sometimes the menu’s crowded or hidden behind a glitch — you know how Windows can be a bit unpredictable.
In that menu, hover over New. You should see “Shortcut” as an option. If it’s greyed out or not there, try restarting Windows Explorer (that’s taskkill /f /im explorer.exe in Command Prompt or PowerShell, then run start explorer) — sometimes Windows just needs a kick to show everything properly.
Click Shortcut, and a wizard pops up asking where the thing you want to link to is. You can type a full path (C:\Program Files\MyApp\app.exe), or if you’re linking to a file, just browse to it using the Browse button.
It’s handy to keep note of the exact path. Sometimes copying it from the File Explorer address bar (by right-clicking on the file or folder and choosing Copy as path) is easiest. Because, of course, Windows has to make things a bit more complicated than they need to be.
Once you’ve typed or selected your path, hit Next. Then, you’ll be asked to give your shortcut a name. Keep it clear and descriptive — no one wants to guess what “Shortcut” actually points to after a month of desktop chaos.
Finally, click Finish, and Bob’s your uncle — the shortcut appears on your desktop or whichever folder you chose. That’s your quick link, ready to fire up without digging through Start or File Explorer.
Method 2: Dragging from the Start menu or File Explorer
If the usual method doesn’t work or you’re after a quicker hack, you can right-click an app icon in the Start menu or drag a file or folder directly to your desktop while holding Alt. Sometimes, dragging works as a shortcut right away, depending on your setup. Just keep an eye — sometimes dragging just copies or moves the original, so make sure you’re not messing things up. Also, holding Alt + Shift while dragging from File Explorer can sometimes give options for creating shortcuts. It’s all about getting the hang of what works for you.
Tips for Making Shortcuts on Windows 11
- Use clear names: avoid just calling everything “Shortcut” — makes life heaps easier later on.
- Organise shortcuts into folders: once you have a few, bundling related apps or files keeps your desktop from turning into a mess.
- Pin only what you really use: having too many shortcuts can slow things down and add clutter to your brain.
- Set keyboard shortcuts: right-click the shortcut, go to Properties, then under Shortcut key, assign a combo. It’s a quick way to open your favs.
- Bear in mind some shortcuts need admin rights: creating links to system tools (like Disk Cleanup or Device Manager) might need you to run as administrator — that can be a bit of a hassle sometimes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a shortcut for a website?
Too easy — right-click on your desktop, choose New, then Shortcut. Paste the URL (https://example.com) as the link. Windows treats URLs just like files — so you’ll get a clickable link that opens your browser straight to the site.
How do I delete a shortcut?
Deadset simple — right-click it and pick Delete. Usually, that just removes the link without deleting the original file or app, so no worries there.
Can I move my shortcut to another folder?
Definitely — just drag it over, or right-click, choose Cut, then head over to your target folder, right-click and select Paste. Keeps your desktop tidy but still quick to open.
Is there a limit to how many shortcuts I can make?
Not really — but a cluttered desktop can slow things down, and hunting for that one shortcut among hundreds gets annoying. Best to keep it sensible.
What’s the difference between a shortcut and the real file?
The shortcut’s just a link — a quick tap to open what you want. If you delete the shortcut, the actual file or app stays put. No dramas.
Summary
- Right-click on your desktop, hover New.
- Select Shortcut.
- Paste or browse to the app/file location.
- Name it and hit Finish.
Making shortcuts is like setting up quick doors around your digital place. A few clicks and access is quicker, your workflow gets a boost, and you’re sorted. Just remember to keep things tidy — otherwise, it can get cluttered faster than you think.
Hopefully, this helps you save a fair bit of time. Good luck, and don’t forget to back up those shortcut paths if you’re doing something fancy — messing with system paths can be a bit nerve-wracking.