Jan 27, 2024 • Filed to: SD Card Solutions • Proven solutions
The icons appearing on your desktop with a sign of arrow are usually shortcuts. People often create shortcuts to get quick access to different files. Sometimes when you install an application, its shortcuts are automatically created. This may make your desktop crowded, and you may find it difficult to find important concerned files. But the ease is that you can delete these shortcuts.
Most people come up with the question of how to remove shortcuts from the desktop because you can lose your important files in deletion. Simultaneously, deletion makes sure that you are deleting the shortcut and not the original file. Furthermore, this article will tell you reliable and quick methods to eliminate extra shortcuts and desktop icons from Windows 10/11 and Mac.
Got a confusion that how to delete desktop shortcuts? What are we for? We will help you to do the process. In this part, we'll provide you with different methods that you can adopt to remove shortcuts. Let's begin with the first method, which is dragging the shortcut directly to the Recycle Bin.
The first method to help you remove a shortcut from the desktop is by dragging it to the bin. You can drag the icon, and it will be gone in a second. To drag the icon to remove it, follow the following easy steps.
Step 1. Turn on your PC having Windows 10/11.
Step 2. On the desktop, please move your mouse and take it to the shortcut you want to delete.
Step 3. Click the left button of your mouse and keep holding it.
Step 4. The icon will stay selected. With the icon selected and the mouse pressed's left button, drag the shortcut and drop it to the Recycle Bin icon by leaving the mouse's left button. Make sure that you drop exactly over the Recycle Bin icon.
Step 5. In case of a program shortcut, the PC will shoe confirmation message. Confirm it to delete the shortcut.
Repeating these steps will delete the desktop shortcut and will make space for other important shortcuts.
If you can’t delete a shortcut from desktop windows 10/11 due to some reason, try deleting it through application options. This is a detailed process, and people usually adopt this custom method to get rid of their extra desktop shortcuts. To delete it from options, you will have to follow a few quick steps, and these are.
Step 1. Open your PC.
Step 2. Take your mouse to the shortcut you want to delete.
Step 3. Left-click the shortcut; it will select your shortcut.
Step 4. Now right-click it. You will see a list of options on the screen.
Step 5. Left-click the "Delete" option with your mouse.
Step 6. A confirmation window will appear; confirm it.
Repeating these steps, you will be able to delete the desktop shortcut in no time.
There is one more method to remove a shortcut from the desktop, and that includes a keyboard. This method takes the least time and saves you from the trouble of going through options. All you have to do is to take help from the "Delete" button on your keyboard. Is not it amazing? To delete shortcuts through this method, repeat the following steps.
Step 1. Start with turning on your PC.
Step 2. Find the shortcut you want to delete and left-click on it. It will be selected.
Step 3. Now on your keyboard, press the "Delete" button from the top right corner.
Step 4. As usual, you will get a confirmation message. Confirm the process, and your shortcut will be gone.
From the above-mentioned three methods, one can go for the method of his choice. The results will be according to your desire. So, choose any method you like and satisfy your questions about removing shortcuts from desktop windows 10/11.
Are you a Mac user and are worried that how to get rid of your desktop icons? We have got your issue covered here. In this part of the article, we will be providing workable methods, which you can go through to hide or remove a shortcut from the desktop. This part of the article includes two methods, which you can perform to remove desktop icons from your Mac. Let’s see what these methods are.
For a Mac user, System and Finder preferences are familiar. This helps to customize all your mac settings. In this method, System and Finder preferences will help you get rid of your desktop icons. Let’s begin with easy and workable steps you are required to follow.
Step 1. First of all, go to the Finder option of your Mac present on the top left corner.
Step 2. Click on it and choose “Preferences” from the available options.
Step 3. You will see the Finder Preferences tab on your screen.
Step 4. On that tab, go to the “General” section.
Step 5. You will see the option showing "Show these items on the desktop."
Step 6. Disable the features like hard disk etc., to remove their icons.
Step 7. Now close it and check your desktop to see if the method worked.
You will find all the focused icons hidden. This is a very less time-consuming method, and by repeating the procedure mentioned above, you can get rid of your desktop icons. You can unhide others by using the same procedure.
There is one more method you can follow to hide your desktop icons on Mac. That method is performed using the Terminal app. It works as a tool like a command work for your Windows. In this method, we will tell you the procedure to follow to hide your desktop icons. To enjoy its perks, follow following easy and efficient steps.
Step 1. Start with accessing the Terminal app on your Mac.
Step 2. To access, go to the "Spotlight."
Step 3. Search for “Terminal” there.
Step 4. Now check if you are logged in as an administrator. If you are not, then log in as administrator.
Step 5. After opening the Terminal app, follow the command "com.apple.finder CreateDesktop -bool false" and press "Enter."
Step 6. After completing step 5, type "killall Finder" and then press "Enter." Completing the final step will hide all your desktop icons.
These steps will take no time to hide unnecessary Desktop icons from your Mac. Now you have two options, and you can choose any of these to solve your issue according to your ease and compatibility.
Sometimes your desktop gets overcrowded with desktop shortcuts and icons. In this way, you must feel difficulty in finding concerning files from the crowd. But it is not a big deal because this article will help you delete the desktop shortcut on Windows 10/11 and your Mac by providing easy methods.
If you delete the original file instead of a shortcut, then do not worry because now you can recover deleted files using Wondershare Recoverit Data Recovery Software in no time. All you have to do is download software, and then you can recover your deleted files.
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4. How do I put a shortcut on the desktop?
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Eleanor Reed
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