Return to Computer Tips Index
Click here to opt in or out of the Computer Tips Email Newsletter
Using Shortcuts
Icons and your desktop housekeeping - Icons are the buttons on your desktop that you must double-click to run a program on your computer. Look for a little curved arrow design on the lower left corner of your icons. An arrow means that this icon is a shortcut to a file, no arrow means that it is actually a program or data file.
Either way, you should be able to double-click it and get some results. The difference is that a shortcut is a way to keep the data or program in some other place on your hard drive, but still be able to access it from the shortcut on your desktop.
Shortcuts can be deleted easily without harming the actual program or data on your computer. Is your desktop cluttered with shortcuts that are of no use to you? You can delete them. Click once to light it up (highlight it) then hit the Delete key on your keyboard.
Right-Click is your Friend
There are lots of ways to create shortcuts. One is to right-click on the Desktop to open the Right-click menu and choose New, then choose Shortcut from the next level (flyout menu) when it appears. This opens a wizard (guided tour) that helps you associate the shortcut with the program or data file. Follow directions and finish the Wizard. Watch as the new shortcut appears on your desktop.
Another way is to use the virtual clipboard on your computer. Find the program or data file on your hard drive, click to highlight, and copy it to the virtual clipboard by performing the following keyboard command: hold the Control key down (on the keyboard labeled "Ctrl") while you tap the C key. This is called Control-C. Now hold your cursor over your desktop and right-click for your menu and choose Paste Shortcut. Watch as the new shortcut appears on your desktop.