You can quickly access files and directories using shortcuts, even for files or directories that are deep in the directory tree. There are several ways to create a shortcut in Windows 8, depending on your needs. Shortcuts can be recognized by the small arrow icon located in the lower left corner of the regular icon.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Creating a New Shortcut
Step 1. Go to the location where the shortcut will be placed
The place can be your desktop, a directory on your computer, or even an external drive. The shortcut file will point to the location you specified.
Step 2. Create the shortcut
Right-click (or long press if you're using a touchscreen) and choose New → Shortcut. Make sure you do this in an empty space, as right-clicking the icon will open the wrong menu.
Step 3. Link to the target file or directory
Type the location of the file or directory you want to link to, or click Browse… to search for the target on your computer if you don't know the exact location or file name. Enter the full path if you typed in the location.
Step 4. Provide a name for the shortcut
Generally the name of the shortcut is the name of the original file or directory. You can change it at will. You don't need to include an extension for the shortcut. The icon will be the same as the target, with the addition of a small arrow indicating that the icon is a shortcut.
Method 2 of 4: Creating Shortcuts for Existing Files and Directories
Step 1. Locate the file, directory, or program for which you want to create a shortcut
Shortcuts are icons that allow you to quickly access files, directories, and programs that might be buried deep in a directory. The destination of the shortcut is called the "target". Shortcuts are usually placed on the desktop, on the Start screen, or pinned to the taskbar (taskbar), but it's really up to you where you want to place them.
Step 2. Drag the target to another location while holding down the shortcut key
You can hold down Ctrl+⇧ Shift while moving files or directories to create shortcuts instead of moving or copying files. When the target is released, a shortcut will be created at that location.
Step 3. Send the target to the desktop as a shortcut
You can use the right-click menu to quickly create a target shortcut on the desktop. Right click on the target and select Send to → Desktop (create shortcut). The shortcut will appear on the desktop.
"- Shortcut" will be added at the end of the shortcut name. You can delete it if you want
Step 4. Create a shortcut in the same location as the target
Right click on the target and select Create shortcut. The shortcut will be created in the same location, which can later be moved wherever you want.
"- Shortcut" will be added at the end of the shortcut name. You can delete it if you want
Method 3 of 4: Creating a Shortcut from the Start Screen
Step 1. Open the Start screen and find the app
If you right-click on a Start screen application, the shortcut cannot be moved anywhere. You can only pin it to the taskbar. This is because the apps on the Start screen are already shortcuts. You can open the shortcut directory to make a copy of the shortcut yourself.
You can't create shortcuts for all apps running on Windows 8 Modern UI, meaning most apps are from the Windows Store
Step 2. Right-click the icon
Select Open file location. If you're using a touchscreen, touch the icon and swipe down with your finger to open the right-click menu.
Step 3. Find and move the shortcut you want
Windows will open a directory for the shortcut you have selected. Now you can copy or send it to your desktop as a new shortcut.
Method 4 of 4: Pinning Apps to Taskbar
Step 1. Open the Start screen
You can pin items from the Start screen to the Desktop mode taskbar. This bar runs along the bottom of the screen in Desktop mode which makes it easy for you to access your most important applications with one click.
Step 2. Right-click (or long press if you're using a touchscreen) the app you want to pin
You can select a tile on the main Start screen, or move it to the full application list. You can do this by swiping up from the bottom of the screen, or by clicking the arrow buttons at the bottom of the Start screen.
Step 3. Select "Pin to taskbar"
The program will be added at the end of the taskbar icon. You cannot embed Live Tiles.
Step 4. Move the taskbar icon around
Click and drag icons along the taskbar to rearrange them.
