Windows 10 desktop shortcuts are primarily stored in two locations: one for the currently logged-in user and another for all users on the computer.
Understanding Desktop Shortcut Locations
When you create a shortcut on your desktop, Windows places a small file (with a .lnk extension) in a specific folder. These files point to the actual program, file, or website they represent. Understanding these locations is crucial for managing, backing up, or troubleshooting your desktop environment.
1. User-Specific Desktop Shortcuts
Most of the shortcuts you create or that are generated during software installation will be stored here. These shortcuts are visible only when that particular user is logged in.
- Location:
%USERPROFILE%\Desktop - Example Path:
C:\Users\YourUsername\Desktop(whereYourUsernameis your actual user account name)
How to Access:
- Open File Explorer.
- Type
%USERPROFILE%\Desktopinto the address bar and press Enter. - Alternatively, navigate to
C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Desktop.
2. All Users (Public) Desktop Shortcuts
Shortcuts placed in this folder are visible on the desktop for every user account on the computer. These are often created by system-wide software installations or by administrators who want to provide universal access to certain applications.
- Location:
C:\Users\Public\Desktop
How to Access:
- Open File Explorer.
- Type
C:\Users\Public\Desktopinto the address bar and press Enter.
Beyond the Desktop: Start Menu Shortcuts
While the question focuses on desktop shortcuts, Windows 10 also extensively uses shortcut files for items displayed in the Start Menu. These are stored in similar user-specific and all-user locations, allowing for personalized or universal access to applications.
The items you see in the Start Menu, including program listings, are shortcut files and folders. These are organized hierarchically to make applications easy to find. For instance, within these Start Menu folders, you'll find a subfolder typically named "Programs."
- When you browse through the Start Menu, you are essentially navigating a structured set of shortcut files and sub-folders. For example, if you're looking for a specific program, you might navigate into the "Programs" folder (or a similar grouping) within the Start Menu's directory structure. Inside, you'll find shortcuts to applications or further sub-folders containing more shortcuts.
Here are the primary locations for Start Menu shortcuts:
- User-Specific Start Menu:
%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu- This path typically contains shortcuts for applications installed only for the current user.
- Example Path:
C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu
- All Users (Public) Start Menu:
%PROGRAMDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu- This path contains shortcuts for applications installed for all users on the system.
- Example Path:
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu
Practical Tip: To quickly navigate to either user-specific or public Start Menu program folders, you can type shell:start menu or shell:common start menu respectively into the Run dialog box (Win + R) or File Explorer address bar. Then, within these folders, you'll often find a "Programs" folder that organizes your application shortcuts.
How to Create and Manage Shortcuts
Managing shortcuts is straightforward in Windows 10:
- Create a Shortcut:
- Navigate to the program, file, or folder you want to create a shortcut for in File Explorer.
- Right-click on it and select "Send to" > "Desktop (create shortcut)".
- Alternatively, drag the item while holding the right-click button to the desktop, then release and choose "Create shortcuts here".
- Delete a Shortcut: Simply select the shortcut on your desktop and press the
Deletekey or right-click and choose "Delete". This only removes the shortcut, not the original item. - Rename a Shortcut: Right-click the shortcut and select "Rename".
Summary of Shortcut Locations
| Shortcut Type | Scope | Path | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desktop Shortcut | User-Specific | %USERPROFILE%\Desktop (e.g., C:\Users\YourUsername\Desktop) |
Visible only to the currently logged-in user. |
| Desktop Shortcut | All Users | C:\Users\Public\Desktop |
Visible to all users on the computer. |
| Start Menu Items | User-Specific | %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu (e.g., C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu) |
Programs and items accessible via the Start Menu for a specific user. Includes a "Programs" subfolder. |
| Start Menu Items | All Users | %PROGRAMDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu (e.g., C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu) |
Programs and items accessible via the Start Menu for all users. Includes a "Programs" subfolder. |
Understanding these locations helps you maintain an organized desktop and Start Menu, ensuring efficient access to your most used applications and files. For more detailed information on Windows file system organization, you can refer to official Microsoft documentation.
