Windows Vista
Working with Shortcuts
Creating a shortcut allows you to quickly access files, folders, drives, or programs. This might be useful if you frequently access your H: drive, a departmental drive, a certain folder, or a specific file. It can also be helpful if a class requires you to frequently access a professor's folder from the DeptDir (W: drive).
NOTE: Students using the general access computer labs can use their new shortcut for that day on that computer. General access labs shut down and clean computers each night. Shortcuts cannot be retained beyond one day of creation.
Creating a Shortcut
Folders, drives, printers, programs and general files can be linked with a shortcut. The following section provides instructions for two ways to create a shortcut: the drag method and the quick menu method.
Creating a Shortcut: Drag and Drop Method
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On the Desktop, click START
» select Computer [name]
Windows Explorer launches, displaying your computer's drives, devices, and networks. -
Navigate to the file, folder, drive, or printer you want to create a shortcut for
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Click the item and drag it to the Desktop
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Release the mouse button
The shortcut icon for the selected file or folder appears on your Desktop.
Creating a Shortcut to Files and Folders: Quick Menu Method
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On the Desktop, click START
» select Computer [name]
Windows Explorer launches, displaying your computer's drives, devices, and networks. -
Navigate to the file, folder, drive, or printer you want to create a shortcut for
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Right click the item » select Send To » select Desktop (create shortcut)
The shortcut appears on the desktop.
Using a Shortcut
Using a shortcut is as simple as opening the file, folder, drive, program, or printer it references.
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On the Desktop, double click the shortcut
The item which the shortcut references opens.
Deleting a Shortcut
Deleting shortcuts is as simple as deleting typical files on your computer.
NOTE: Deleting a shortcut does not delete the file or folders it references, nor does it disconnect from the drive or printer it references.
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On the Desktop, right click the shortcut you wish to delete » select Delete
A confirmation dialog box appears. -
Click YES
The shortcut is deleted.
