What is a Shortcut?

A shortcut offers a way of doing a task more quickly such as starting a program or accessing a document. The shortcut icon has a small arrow in the left corner to help you distinguish it from the actual icon that represents programs and files.

The icon above is a desktop shortcut for the Things to Do document that's actually stored in this particular user's My Documents folder.

Adding a Shortcut

In this lesson, you will learn three ways to create a shortcut. Choose the one that works best for you.

To add a shortcut to the desktop using Windows Explorer or My Computer:

• Open Windows Explorer or My Computer.
• Double-click a drive or folder.
• Click the file, program, or folder for which you want to make a shortcut. The item darkens when you select it.
• Choose FileCreate Shortcut.
• Resize the window so you can see the desktop.

• Hover the mouse pointer over the shortcut icon and hold down the left mouse button and drag the shortcut onto desktop (in the left pane).
• Release the left mouse button and a shortcut is moved to the desktop.

Right-click to Add a Shortcut

One shortcut creation method works in both My Computer and Windows Explorer. This method requires you to right-click.

To add a shortcut by right-clicking:

• Open Windows Explorer or My Computer.
• Double-click a drive or folder.
• Right-click the file, program, or folder for which you want to make a shortcut.
• A pop-up menu appears. Choose Create Shortcut.
• Resize the window so you can see the desktop.

• Hover the mouse pointer over the shortcut icon and hold down the left mouse button and drag the shortcut onto desktop (in the left pane).
• Release the left mouse button and a shortcut is moved to the desktop.

• Add a shortcut for your Shopping List to your desktop (created in the previous lesson).
• First, open My Documents.
• When the folder opens, resize the window so you can see the desktop.
• Create a shortcut for Shopping List on the desktop using one of the three methods described in this lesson.

What is the Recycle Bin?

Sometimes files and folders can clutter your computer. The Recycle Bin, the desktop icon that resembles a wastebasket, is where you put a file or folder if you want to delete it.

You can open the Recycle Bin anytime and see what's inside by double-clicking the Recycle Bin icon located on the desktop or using Windows Explorer.

Inside, you'll see a listing of deleted items.

Placing Files in the Recycle Bin

To move an item to the Recycle Bin from the Desktop, Windows Explorer, or My Computer:

• Click and drag the file or folder to the Recycle Bin.

OR

• Right-click the file or folder you want to delete. .
• When the pop-up menu appears, choose Delete.
• A dialog box appears asking, "Are sure you want to send the file or folder to the Recycle Bin?"
• Click Yes.

OR

To move an item to the Recycle Bin from Windows Explorer or My Computer:

• Click the file or folder you want to delete.
• The file or folder darkens.
• Choose Delete this file (or Delete this folder) from the File and Folder Tasks list.

Retrieving Files From the Recycle Bin

Placing an item in the Recycle Bin doesn't mean you can't retrieve it at a later date. Using the Restore all items link (located in the Recycle Bin Tasks list) will move all files and folders in the Recycle bin back to its original locationon your computer.

To restore all items in the Recycle Bin:

• Click the Restore all items link in the Recycle Bin Tasks list.
• The items are restored to their original location.

To restore one file, click to select the file.

• Restore all items changes to Restore this item.
• Click Restore this item.
• The item is restored to its original location.

Emptying the Recycle Bin

Emptying the Recycle Bin permanently deletes the items. They cannot be recovered. Empty your Recycle Bin periodically to keep your computer running smoothly.

To empty the Recycle Bin:

• Click the Empty the Recycle Bin link in the Recycle Bin Tasks list.

• Open the shortcut for Shopping List. (You created it on the desktop in the last lesson.)
• Delete the shortcut by dragging it to the Recycle Bin.
• Open the Recycle Bin and permanently delete the Shopping List shortcut.
• The original Shopping List remains on your computer.