What a shortcut is and why you might create one
A shortcut is a small file that points to another file, folder, or program somewhere else on your computer. When you click the shortcut, your operating system finds and opens the real thing. Shortcuts let you reach the files and programs you use most without digging through folders or remembering where they live.
From a security standpoint, shortcuts matter because they can be used to disguise what a program actually does. A shortcut icon might look like a document, but it could launch something else entirely. This is one reason you should only create shortcuts yourself or accept them from sources you trust. If someone sends you a shortcut file, treat it the same way you would treat any executable program — verify what it actually does before you open it.
The steps to create a shortcut differ slightly between Windows, Mac, and Linux, but the underlying idea is the same: you are creating a pointer, not a copy. The original file stays where it is, and the shortcut is just a reference to it.
Key Takeaways
- A shortcut is a small file that points to another file or program, letting you access it from multiple locations without moving the original.
- On Windows, right-click a file or program and select "Send to" or "Create shortcut" to make one quickly.
- On Mac, hold Command and Option while dragging a file to create an alias, which works the same way as a Windows shortcut.
- On Linux, the method depends on your desktop environment, but most let you right-click a file and create a symbolic link or launcher.
- Only create shortcuts yourself or accept them from trusted sources, since a shortcut icon can hide what program it actually runs.
Creating shortcuts on Windows
The easiest way to make a shortcut on Windows is to right-click the file or program you want to create a shortcut for. A menu will appear. Look for "Send to" and hover over it — a submenu will show options including "Desktop." Click that, and Windows creates a shortcut on your desktop pointing to the original file.
If you want the shortcut in a specific folder instead of on your desktop, right-click the file and select "Create shortcut" directly. Windows will create the shortcut in the same folder as the original. You can then move it anywhere you want by dragging it to a different folder or to your desktop.
You can also create a shortcut by right-clicking in an empty area of a folder, selecting "New," and then "Shortcut." Windows will ask you to type the location of the file or program you want to point to. Paste the full path (for example, C:\Users\YourName\Documents\MyFile.txt) and click Next. Give the shortcut a name and finish. This method is slower but useful if you want to create a shortcut to something on a network drive or in a location you do not have open in front of you.
Creating shortcuts on Mac
On Mac, shortcuts are called aliases. The fastest way to create one is to find the file or folder you want, then hold down Command and Option on your keyboard while dragging it to a new location — your desktop, a folder, or anywhere else. When you release the mouse, Mac creates an alias there. The alias icon will have a small arrow in the corner to show it is a pointer, not the original file.
You can also right-click a file and select "Make Alias" from the menu. Mac will create the alias in the same folder, usually with the word "alias" added to the name. You can rename it and move it wherever you want.
A third option is to use the File menu. Open Finder, navigate to the file, click the File menu at the top, and select "Make Alias." This does the same thing as right-clicking, just through the menu instead.
Creating shortcuts on Linux
Linux handles shortcuts differently depending on which desktop environment you use — GNOME, KDE, Xfce, or others. The most common method is to right-click a file in your file manager and look for an option like "Create Link," "Make Link," or "Create Symbolic Link." If that option exists, click it and choose where to put the link. Some file managers will create the link in the same folder; others will ask you to choose a location.
If your file manager does not have a right-click option for links, you can create one from the terminal using the ln -s command. For example, typing ln -s /path/to/original/file /path/to/link creates a symbolic link. This is more technical but works on any Linux system. If you are not comfortable with the terminal, stick with your file manager's right-click menu if it offers one.
For programs and applications, many Linux desktop environments let you create a launcher — a small file that runs a program when you click it. Right-click on your desktop or in your applications menu and look for "Create Launcher" or "Add process." You will need to type the command that runs the program (for example, firefox to launch Firefox). This is similar to a Windows shortcut but works through your desktop environment rather than the file system.
Why shortcuts are safer than moving files around
When you create a shortcut, the original file stays exactly where it was. This matters for security and organization. If a program expects a file to be in a specific location, moving it can break the program. A shortcut lets you access the file from multiple places without moving it, so the program still finds it where it expects it to be.
Shortcuts also make it easier to keep your system organized. Instead of scattering copies of files across your desktop and multiple folders, you can keep one copy in a logical location and create shortcuts to it from places you use it often. This reduces confusion about which version is the "real" one and makes it easier to update a file — you only have to update the original, and all the shortcuts automatically point to the new version.
What to watch for when you receive a shortcut from someone else
If someone sends you a shortcut file, do not assume it does what the icon suggests. A shortcut that looks like a document could actually launch a program, run a script, or do something else entirely. Before you open it, right-click it and select "Properties" (Windows) or "Get Info" (Mac) to see what it actually points to. The target or path shown there is what will actually run when you click the shortcut.
If the target is something you do not recognize or something that does not match what the icon suggests, do not open it. Ask the person who sent it to you what it does and why they sent it. Shortcuts are a common way to disguise malicious programs, so treating them with the same caution you would use for any executable file is a reasonable security practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete a shortcut without deleting the original file?
Yes. Deleting a shortcut only removes the pointer, not the original file. The file stays where it is. This is one of the main reasons shortcuts are useful — you can create and delete them freely without worrying about losing the actual file.
What is the difference between a shortcut and a copy?
A shortcut is a pointer that takes up very little space and always points to the original file. A copy is a separate file that takes up as much space as the original. If you edit a copy, the original does not change. If you edit a file through a shortcut, you are editing the original, and any other shortcuts to that file will see the changes.
Can I create a shortcut to a folder?
Yes. The process is the same as creating a shortcut to a file. Right-click the folder and select "Create shortcut" (Windows) or "Make Alias" (Mac), or use your file manager's link option (Linux). This is useful for folders you access often but that are buried deep in your directory structure.
What happens if I move or delete the original file after creating a shortcut?
The shortcut will break. It will still exist, but clicking it will produce an error because the file it points to no longer exists. If you move the original file to a different location, the shortcut will not automatically update — you will need to delete the shortcut and create a new one pointing to the new location.
Is it safe to create shortcuts to programs I read from the internet?
Creating a shortcut to a program is as safe as running the program itself. The shortcut does not change what the program does. If you are unsure whether a downloaded program is safe, do not create a shortcut to it — the shortcut is not the problem. The program itself is what matters. Run a scan with your antivirus software first if you are uncertain.