A shortcut on your computer is an icon providing quick access to a file – such as a program or document or printer. Files are stored in different areas of your computer called folders. Shortcuts allow you to use a file without having to search your drawers!

Shortcuts when driving a car are often thought of as a quick way to get lost. Windows shortcuts save you from getting lost. A shortcut in Windows is like ordering in a pizza, rather than driving out to get it. They act like links that you can click when you are browsing the Internet with a web browser.

A shortcut icon appears similar to the program icon to which it points. A small black curved arrow in the lower left corner of the icon shows that it is a shortcut.

When would I use a shortcut?

You can use shortcuts in different ways for different types of files:

1.     Double-click a program shortcut to start the program as if you were accessing it        directly. For example, rather than searching for your web browser program,        double-click a shortcut on your desktop to start it.

2.     Double-click a document shortcut to open the document with its associated program,         if Windows         95 recognizes the file format. Perhaps you have a folder containing         many lists and notes, but         you use the GroceryList.txt document most often.         Double-click a shortcut to the note to open that document in the Notepad program.

3.     Drag the GroceryList.txt document onto a shortcut to your printer to print the         document.

How do I create a shortcut?

Most Windows 95 functions can be performed in several ways. The examples below describe methods you can use to create shortcuts to programs, documents, and printers.

Copy + Right mouse button click:

1.     Click a file once to select it.

2.     Right-click the same file, and click "Copy" from the pop-up menu that appears.

3.     Right-click in Windows Explorer or on the Windows Desktop to display a pop-up menu.         Click "Paste Shortcut" to create the shortcut.

Right mouse button drag:

1.     Be sure the desired location is visible on your screen (a folder icon, Windows Explorer         window, or Desktop).

2.     Right-click a file, but do not release the button

3.     Drag the file to the desired location. Release the mouse button

4.     Click "Create Shortcut(s) Here" on the pop-up menu

File menu (also Desktop Shortcut menu):

1.     Select the File menu in Windows Explorer or right-click on the Desktop.

2.     Click "New" on the menu, and then click "Shortcut."

3.     Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to create a shortcut.