Easy way to find the program linked to your shortcuts on your Windows desktop.–PC Pitstop
Follow Your Windows Shortcuts
By Dave Taylor
The Question:I have a bunch of shortcuts on my Windows Desktop (Win8) and want to find out where the originals are located on my system. Is there a way to follow Windows shortcuts easily?
Dave’s Answer:
One of the things that I most dislike about Windows is the bad habit of apps dropping shortcuts on your Desktop without even asking. After a few months, just about every Windows system is littered with 10, 20 or more of these shortcuts, meaning that whatever pretty image you have as your desktop wallpaper barely peeks out from between all the darn icons. Especially in Windows 8 — and Win 8.1 — the search system is so improved that you really can skip them entirely and just type in the name of the app you want to use each time. Quick and easy.
But no, app developers (including Microsoft) keep dropping those darn shortcuts onto your Desktop and it’s up to you to either delete them, organize them or let them “win” and take over the space. Honestly, all those shortcuts just make me anxious when I look at them. 🙂
Fortunately, you can at least test the shortcuts to see if they work and find the original file or program that’s linked easily enough. Then you can decide if you want the program and/or need the shortcut.
This post is excerpted with permission from Dave Taylor.
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