Easy Ways to Create Desktop Shortcuts on macOS
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- Go to System Preferences app → Keyboard → Shortcuts and you can assign keyboard shortcuts to move across Spaces (desktops). You can also use the F3 (Mission Control) key on your Mac's keyboard to get a birds eye view of all the Spaces (desktops in Mac parlance) and quickly and directly switch to the desired one.
Probably everyone that uses a smart device knows what a shortcut is and what it does. For those that do not, it is a folder that links a file, folder, app, or website to its original location. It lets the user to faster access needed data. It is a great feature to have if you do not want to move the original item from its location, but you also do not want to navigate to its location every time you need to use the file. Hence creating a desktop shortcut of an item can save you a lot of time.
The name 'shortcut' is associated more with Microsoft Windows as it was introduced in their earlier operating system, Window 95. Mac's do not have extensions for shortcuts as a file type called 'alias' was introduced to Apple users with the release of Mac OS 7 in 1991. So Apple introduces the alias feature four years earlier than Microsoft.
There's also a keyboard shortcut — select an item (you can even use the Up and Down arrows to navigate to it in Finder view) and then press Command-Y. Command – Comma (,) This is one of the.
An alias is a small file that links you to the original file. It is like a door that you open and suddenly appear to be in an entirely different location. File aliases allow you to access the file in its original location without having you navigate to it. It is like a portal to another place on your Mac's system. Due to this reason, alias files are very small and do not take a lot of your Mac's storage. It is very different from a duplicate file. For example, if you have a document using 250.9 MB on disk, the duplicate will also use the same amount of space. On the other hand, an alias will only use 4 KG on your hard drive as it does not duplicate the files but only create a shorter way to them.
What is great about alias files is that when you make a change in them, the same change occurs in an original file as well. And if the original file changes its location, the link with the alias is not broken, so you do not have to make another alias. For example, if a file is moved from one directory (or, in other words, a folder) to another in the same filesystem, the existing alias will still open the original file.
When an alias of an item is created, the alias has the same icon as the item it links to. The visual difference is that the alias has a tiny arrow at the bottom left corner of the icon as well as the word alias next to the file name.
Every alias has a parent file, but suppose you do not remember where is the parent file or want to delete both files. To simples way to find the parent file is to right-click on the alias file and choose 'Show Original'. You can also select the alias file, and on your keyboard, press Command and R keys. A Finder window will appear with the parent file.
In this article, you will find out how to create a desktop shortcut (an alias) of any file, folder, app, and website. Also, you will find out how to add the alias to Dock and how to delete it.
Table of Contents:
- Method 1.How to Create a Desktop Shortcut Using Quick Menu
- Method 2.How to Create a Desktop Shortcut Using Drag and Drop Feature
- Method 3.How to Create a Website Shortcut
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How to Create a Desktop Shortcut Using Quick Menu
Probably everyone that uses a smart device knows what a shortcut is and what it does. For those that do not, it is a folder that links a file, folder, app, or website to its original location. It lets the user to faster access needed data. It is a great feature to have if you do not want to move the original item from its location, but you also do not want to navigate to its location every time you need to use the file. Hence creating a desktop shortcut of an item can save you a lot of time.
The name 'shortcut' is associated more with Microsoft Windows as it was introduced in their earlier operating system, Window 95. Mac's do not have extensions for shortcuts as a file type called 'alias' was introduced to Apple users with the release of Mac OS 7 in 1991. So Apple introduces the alias feature four years earlier than Microsoft.
There's also a keyboard shortcut — select an item (you can even use the Up and Down arrows to navigate to it in Finder view) and then press Command-Y. Command – Comma (,) This is one of the.
An alias is a small file that links you to the original file. It is like a door that you open and suddenly appear to be in an entirely different location. File aliases allow you to access the file in its original location without having you navigate to it. It is like a portal to another place on your Mac's system. Due to this reason, alias files are very small and do not take a lot of your Mac's storage. It is very different from a duplicate file. For example, if you have a document using 250.9 MB on disk, the duplicate will also use the same amount of space. On the other hand, an alias will only use 4 KG on your hard drive as it does not duplicate the files but only create a shorter way to them.
What is great about alias files is that when you make a change in them, the same change occurs in an original file as well. And if the original file changes its location, the link with the alias is not broken, so you do not have to make another alias. For example, if a file is moved from one directory (or, in other words, a folder) to another in the same filesystem, the existing alias will still open the original file.
When an alias of an item is created, the alias has the same icon as the item it links to. The visual difference is that the alias has a tiny arrow at the bottom left corner of the icon as well as the word alias next to the file name.
Every alias has a parent file, but suppose you do not remember where is the parent file or want to delete both files. To simples way to find the parent file is to right-click on the alias file and choose 'Show Original'. You can also select the alias file, and on your keyboard, press Command and R keys. A Finder window will appear with the parent file.
In this article, you will find out how to create a desktop shortcut (an alias) of any file, folder, app, and website. Also, you will find out how to add the alias to Dock and how to delete it.
Table of Contents:
- Method 1.How to Create a Desktop Shortcut Using Quick Menu
- Method 2.How to Create a Desktop Shortcut Using Drag and Drop Feature
- Method 3.How to Create a Website Shortcut
It is recommended to run a free scan with Malwarebytes - a tool to detect malware and fix computer errors. You will need to purchase the full version to remove infections and eliminate computer errors. Free trial available. Logitech webcam app for mac.
How to Create a Desktop Shortcut Using Quick Menu
As mentioned above, an Alias is a folder that links to the original file or folder. By creating an Alias, you can access frequently used files much faster.
To create a file, folder, or app alias using quick menu, follow the steps below:
1. Open Finder.
2. Navigate to the file, folder, or app you want to create a desktop shortcut.
3. When you have located your item, right-click on it.
4. When the small menu appears, click on 'Make Alias'.
You can also create an alias by selecting the item and in the upper menu clicking on 'File'. Then, in the secondary menu, choosing 'Make Alias'.
It will create a folder with the word alias next to the item name. You can rename it, drag it to another location and manage it like the original file.
How to Create a Desktop Shortcut Using Drag and Drop Feature
Creating a shortcut using the Alias feature from the quick menu is quite fast, but if you want an even faster way to make a shortcut keep on reading.
To create an alias using the drag-and-drop feature, follow the steps below:
1. Open Finder.
2. Navigate to the file, folder, or app you want to create a desktop shortcut.
3. When you have located your item, simultaneously press the Option and Command keys on your keyboard.
4. Then, click on the file, folder, or app and drag it to the desktop or any other location you want.
If you are using a Mac that is running on macOS Mojave or older, use the shortcut: Command + L
A folder with the word alias next to the item name will be created. You can rename it, drag it to another location and manage it like the original file.
Mac Desktop Shortcut
How to Create a Website Shortcut
Creating a website shortcut is as easy as making a file shortcut. Follow the detailed explanation below to find out how to do that.
To create a website shortcut, follow the steps below:
1. Open your browser window.
2. Go to the website you want to make a desktop shortcut.
3. Then, select the website address by clicking on it once.
4. When the address is selected, drag and drop it to the desktop or any other location you want.
5. You will see a website shortcut appear with an @on a blank page icon.
When you click on the website shortcut, it will direct you to the exact same page you saved it.
How to Add a Desktop Shortcut to Dock
If you want to add a desktop shortcut to Dock, you can just drag and drop it to the Dock's right side next to the Trash icon. You can find more information adding items to Dock by taking a look at our article about 'How to Use And Customize Dock on Mac'.
How to Delete a Desktop Shortcut
Show Desktop On Mac
If you want to delete the alias for any reason, you can do that with few very simple steps.
To delete an alias, follow the steps below:
1. Locate the shortcut.
2. Right-click on it.
3. When the quick menu appears, select the 'Move to Trash' option.
4. Then, go to the Trach and right-click on it.
5. When the quick menu pops up, click on 'Empty Trash'.
6. When a window pops up asking if you want to delete the item permanently, click on 'Empty Trash' again to confirm the action.
We hope this article was helpful!
Mac Desktop Shortcuts
Check out the video below for a step-by-step tutorial.
Video on Easy Ways to Create Desktop Shortcuts on macOS
